Imam Ahmad recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Abu Waqid Al-Laythi, "What did the Prophet recite during the `Id Prayer'' Abu Waqid said, "Surah Qaf and Surat Iqtarabat [i.e. Surat Al-Qamar (54)].'' Muslim and the Four Collectors of the Sunan collected this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Hisham bint Harithah said, "For around two years, or a year and a part of another year, our oven and the oven of the Prophet was one and the same. I memorized Surah,

[ق وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ ]

(Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an.) from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah who used to recite it every Friday while standing on the Minbar delivering the Friday sermon to the people.'' Muslim collected this Hadith. Abu Dawud also recorded that the daughter of Al-Harith bin An-Nu`man said, "I only memorized Surah Qaf from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah who used to recite it in every Friday Khutbah. Our oven and the oven of the Messenger was one and the same.'' Muslim and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah used to recite this Surah during large gatherings such as the `Ids and during Friday sermons. He did so because this Surah contains news of the beginning of creation, Resurrec- tion, the Return, Standing (before Allah), the Reckoning, Paradise, the Fire, Allah's reward and punishment, lessons of encouragement, and lessons of discouragement. Allah knows best.

[بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ]

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

[ق وَالْقُرْءانِ الْمَجِيدِ- بَلْ عَجِبُواْ أَن جَآءهُمْ مُّنذِرٌ مّنْهُمْ فَقَالَ الْكَـفِرُونَ هَـذَا شَىْء عَجِيبٌ- أَءذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَاباً ذَلِكَ رَجْعُ بَعِيدٌ- قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الاْرْضَ مِنْهُمْ وَعِندَنَا كِتَـبٌ حَفِيظٌ- بَلْ كَذَّبُواْ بِالْحَقّ لَمَّا جَآءهُمْ فَهُمْ فِى أَمْرٍ مَّرِيجٍ-]

(1. Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an.) (2. Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing!'') (3. "When we are dead and have become dust. (Shall we be resurrected) That is a far return.'') (4. We know that which the earth takes of them, and with Us is a Book preserved.) (5. Nay, but they have denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a Marij state.)

[ق]

(Qaf.) which is one of the letters of the alphabet that are mentioned in the beginning of some Surahs, such as,

[ص]

(Sad.) (38:1)

[ن]

(Nun. ) (68:1)

[الم ]

(Alif Lam Mim.) (2:1),

[حـم ]

(Ha Mim.) (40:1), and

[طس]

(Ta Sin) (28:1) and etc., Mujahid and several others said this. We also discussed this in the beginning of the explanation of Surat Al-Baqarah, and therefore, it is not necessary to repeat it here.