20. Taha
20.1 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that :
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was coming back from the battle of Khaibar, night came and he felt sleepy, so he made camp and said to Bilal (رضي الله عنه): “Keep watch for us tonight.” Bilal prayed as much as Allah decreed for him, and the Messenger of Allah and his Companions went to sleep. When dawn was approaching, Bilal went to his mount, facing towards the east, watching for the dawn. Then Bilal’s eyes grew heavy while he was leaning on his mount (and he slept). Neither Bilal nor any of his Companions woke until they felt the heat of the sun. The Messenger of Allah was the first one to wake up. The Messenger of Allah was startled and said: “O Bilal!” Bilal said: “The same thing happened to me as happened to you. May my father and mother be ransomed for you, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “Bring your mounts forward a little.” So they brought their mounts forward a little (away from that place). Then the Messenger of Allah performed ablution and told Bilal to call the Iqamah for prayer, and he led them in the prayer. When the Prophet finished praying, he said: “Whoever forgets a Salah, let him pray it when he remembers, for Allah says:
وأقم الصلاة لذكري
And perform the prayer for My remembrance.” (Ta-Ha 20:14)
He (one of the narrators) said: “Ibn Shihab used to recite this Verse as meaning, ‘when you remember’.”
20.2 It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If you forget a prayer, pray it when you remember it, for Allah says:
“And perform the Salah for My remembrance.” (Ta-Ha 20:14)
Sunan an-Nasa’I Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 619
20.3 Yahya related from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from his father that
Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) used to pray as much as Allah willed in the night until at the end of the night he would wake his family for the prayer. He used to say to them, “The prayer, the prayer.” Then he would recite the ayat,
“And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.” (Ta-Ha 20:132)
Muwatta Malik Book 7, Hadith 5
20.4 It was narrated that Al-Qasim said:
The Greatest Name of Allah (Ism Al-Azam), if He is called by which He will respond, is in three Surahs: Al-Baqarah, Aal ‘Imran and Ta-Ha.
Note: Hisham ibn Ammar, the khateeb of Damascus, said: “In Al-Baqarah, it is
الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم
‘Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of (all) existence.’ [Al-Baraqah 2:255].
In ‘Aal ‘Imran it is
الم . الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم
‘Alif. Laam. Meem. Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.’ [’Aal ‘Imran 3:1-2].
And in Ta-Ha it is
وعنت الوجوه للحي القيوم
‘And (all) faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence.’ [Ta-Ha 20:111]”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Al-Albani said, it is more likely in my view that it is in the verse at the beginning of the surah:
إنني أنا الله لا إله إلا أنا
“Verily, I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I” [Ta-Ha 20:14]
(Silsila as-Sahiha 746)
20.5 Narrated `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (رضي الله عنه):
Surat Bani-lsrael, Al-Kahf (The Cave), Maryam, Taha, Al-Anbiya’ (The prophets) are amongst my first earnings and my old property, and (in fact) they are my old property.
20.6 Narrated `Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
The Surahs of Bani Israel, Al-Kahf, Mariyam, Taha and Al-Anbiya are from the very old Surahs which I learnt by heart, and they are my first property.
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 263
20.7 Jarir b. Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) is reported to have said:
We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that he looked at the full moon and observed: You shall see your Lord as you are seeing this moon, and you will not be harmed by seeing Him. So if you can, do not let -yourselves be overpowered in case of prayer observed before the rising of the sun and its setting, i. e. the ‘morning prayer and the Asr prayer. Jarir then recited it:
وسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل غروبها
“And exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting.” (Ta-Ha 20:130).
20.8 Yahya related from Malik
From his paternal uncle Abu Suhayl ibn Malik from his father that Kab al-Ahbar said to a man who took off his sandals, “Why have you taken off your sandals? Perhaps you have interpreted this ayat,
فاخلع نعليك إنك بالواد المقدس طوى
‘Remove your sandals. You are in the pure valley of Tuwa?’ (Ta-Ha 20:12)
Do you know what the sandals of Musa were?” Malik (the father of Abu Suhayl) said, “I do not know what the man answered.” Kab said, “They were made from the skin of a dead donkey.”
Muwatta Malik Book 48, Hadith 16
20.9 It is reported by Abu Sa’id (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
The (permanent) inhabitants of the Fire are those who are doomed to it, and verily they would
لا يموت فيها ولا يحيى
Neither dying therein nor living. (TaHa 20:74 and Al-Aala 87:13)
But the people whom the Fire would afflict (temporarily) on account of their sins, or so said (the narrator)” on account of their misdeeds,” He would cause them to die till they would be turned into charcoal. Then they would be granted intercession and would be brought in groups and would be spread on the rivers of Paradise and then it would be said: O inhabitants of Paradise, pour water over them; then they would sprout forth like the sprouting of seed in the silt carried by flood. A man among the people said: (It appears) as if the Messenger of Allah lived in the steppe.
20.10 Ibn Fudail reported on the authority of his father that he heard Salim b. `Abdullah b. `Umar as saying:
O people of Iraq, how strange it is that you ask about the minor sins but commit major sins? I heard from my father `Abdullah b. `Umar (رضي الله عنه), narrating that he heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying while pointing his hand towards the east: Verily, the turmoil would come from this side, from where appear the horns of Satan and you would strike the necks of one another; and Moses killed a person from among the people of Pharaoh unintentionally and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said:
وقتلت نفسا فنجيناك من الغم وفتناك فتونا
“You killed a person but We relieved you from the grief and tried you with (many a) trial” (TaHa 20:40).
20.11 Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, recited TaHa and YaSeen one thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and when the angels heard the Quran they said: Glad tidings to the nation to whom this is revealed, glad tidings to the hearts that carry this, glad tidings to the tongues that speak it.”
(Al-Darimi 2/547).
20.12 Ma’qil ibn Yasar (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Learn the Quran, accept as permissible what it permits, regard as forbidden what it forbids, follow its guidance and do not reject anything in it. Whatever you are confused about in it, refer it to Allah and to those who are in authority after I am gone, so that they may tell you. Believe in the Tawrat and Injeel and Zaboor, and what the Prophets brought from their Lord, but be content with the Quran and what it contains of clarity, for it is an intercessor whose intercession will be accepted. Each verse will have light on the Day of Resurrection. I have been given Surah al-Baqarah among the early Revelation, and I have been given TaHa and Taseen-Meems and Ha-Meems from the tablets of Moosa (عليه السلام) and I have been given the Opening of the Book (al-Fatihah) from beneath the Throne.
(Al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak 1/757)
20.13 It was narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) used to say in his du’a (supplication):
“O Lord of TaHa and YaSeen, O Lord of the Holy Quran.”
(Majmoo’ al-Fatawa)
20.14 It was narrated from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) that,
“Whoever reads TaHa will be given the reward of the Muhajireen (Emigrants) and the Ansar (Helpers) on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Al-Kashf Al-Ilahi by al-Tarabulsi 1/178, Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Baydawi)
20.15 Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) related about
وسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل غروبها
And exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting (20:130)
It has been mentioned in the Two Sahihs on the authority of Jarir bin Abdullah Al-Bajali, who said, “Once we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) when he looked up at the moon on a night when it was full. He said, “Verily, you all will see your Lord (in the Hereafter) just as you see this moon and you will not have to crowd together to see Him. Therefore, if you are able to not miss a prayer before sunrise (Fajr) and before sunset (`Asr), then you should do so. Then he recited this Ayah.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Umarah bin Ru’aybah that he heard the Messenger of Allah saying, “Anyone who prays before sunrise and before sunset will never enter the Hellfire.” This was also recorded by Muslim.
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
20.16 Mufti Shafi Usmani (رحمه الله) related about Surah Ta-Ha
And it was this very Surah which brought about the conversion of Sayyidna ‘Umar Ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه) who had actually set out fully determined to kill the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) This story has been related in all the books of Seerah (Biographies of the Holy Prophet).
The story as narrated by Ibn Ishaq runs as follows: One day ‘Umar Ibn Khattab set out, with sword in hand, fully determined to kill the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم). On the way Nu’aim Ibn ‘Abdullah accosted him and asked him where was he headed to. ‘Umar Ibn Khattab replied that he was going to finish off the man who had sown discord among the Quraish, vilified their faith, seduced them from belief and disparaged their idols. Nu’aim then said “O ‘Umar! You are deceiving yourself. If you kill Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم), do you really think that his clan Bani ‘Abd Munaf will spare your life? If you have any sense, better see to your own sister and her husband because they both have become Muslims and have accepted the religion of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم).” ‘Umar Ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه) was shaken by what he heard and retraced his steps towards the house of his sister and her husband. At that moment Sayyidna Khabbab bin ‘Arath (رضي الله عنه), one of the Companions of the Holy Prophet, was teaching both of them Surah Ta-Ha which was written on a sheet of paper.
When they realized that ‘Umar Ibn Khattab was coming, Sayyidna Khabbab Ibn ‘Arath (رضي الله عنه) hid himself in another room or in some corner of the house and ‘Umar’s sister hid the sheet of paper. But ‘Umar had heard Sayyidna Khabbab Ibn Arath (رضي الله عنه) reciting something, and he asked his sister what was it. She tried to evade the question but he would not be put off. Finally he came out in the open and told them point blank that he had just learned about them becoming Muslim and followers of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم). Having said this, he started beating his brother-in-law Sa’id Ibn Zaid (رضي الله عنه) and when his sister Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) came to the rescue of her husband he beat her too and left her bleeding.
Sayyidah Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) and her husband had enough of it and they called out defiantly, “All right, you listen now! It is true that we have become Muslims and have adopted the Faith of Allah Ta’ala and His Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم). Now you do whatever you want”. ‘Umar then saw that his sister was bleeding and he felt remorse for being too rough with her. He asked her to show him the sheet of paper from which she was reading so that he could learn something about the teachings of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم). ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) was a literate person. That is why he wanted to read the sheet of paper himself. His sister was afraid that he might either destroy or desecrate it, but he assured her on oath that he would do neither and promised to return it to her after he had read it. When she saw the way things were moving and noticed a change in his attitude, she even began to entertain the hope that he too might become a Muslim. But she told him that he was unclean and only those who were clean could touch the sheet. So ‘Umar bathed and his sister gave him the sheet on which Surah Ta-Ha was written. He read the first few lines and said, “It is written in beautiful language and appears to be worthy of respect.” Khabbab Ibn ‘Arath who had remained hidden all this time, now came out and said, “O ‘Umar Ibn Khattab! Allah Ta’ala is very Merciful and it is my conviction that He had chosen you in response to the ardent wishes of the Holy Prophet whom I heard only yesterday making the following supplication to Allah Ta’ala
“O Allah! Strengthen Islam through Abul Hikam Ibn Hisham (meaning Abu Jahl) or ‘Umar Ibn Khattab”.
The intention was that the conversion of either one of these two men would lend great strength to the Muslims who were as yet very weak. Ibn Khabbab said, “O ‘Umar! This is your chance. Do not miss it”. At this, Sayyidna ‘Umar Ibn Khattab requested Khabbab (رضي الله عنه) to take him to the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) (Qurtubi). What followed next and how he came to the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) and embraced Islam is too well known to need a repetition at this place.
(Ma’ariful Quran)
20.17 Imam Ibn Mardawih (رحمه الله) narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that
The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) said, “I have been blessed with the Surah from Dhikr al-Awwal in which the cattle are mentioned (Surah Al-An’am). The Surahs of Ta-Ha and Ha-Meem were gifted from the Tablets of Moses (عليه السلام). Surah Fatihah and the last verse of Surah Baqarah were bestowed from beneath the Throne and further the Mufassal were given to me.”
(Dur al-Manthur)
20.18 Imam Ibn Mardawih (رحمه الله) narrated from Abu Umama (رضي الله عنه) that
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) said, “The recitation of Qur’an will be dwindled for the people of Jannah. They will not recite anything from it except the Surahs TaHa and YaSeen. These two Surahs will be recited in the Jannah by its people.”
(Dur al-Manthur)
20.19 According to Tafsir al-Burhan,
The recitation of Surah TaHa has effects and blessings such as an easier marriage and the fulfillment of one’s needs.
20.20 Sayyid Mustafa Musawi (رحمه الله) writes
(i) It is related that Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (عليه السلام) has said that Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) befriends the ones who recite Surah TaHa (often) and this person will receive his book of deeds on his right hand. His sins will be forgiven and he will get so much reward that he will be pleased on the Day of Judgement.
(ii) If a girl is not getting married and she wishes to get married, she should take ghusl (bath) with water in which Surah TaHa has been dissolved and by the will of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) she will get married.
(iii) If a man wishes to get married, he should write verses
ولا تمدن عينيك إلى ما متعنا به أزواجا منهم زهرة الحياة الدنيا لنفتنهم فيه ورزق ربك خير وأبقى
And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
وأمر أهلك بالصلاة واصطبر عليها لا نسألك رزقا نحن نرزقك والعاقبة للتقوى
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness. (TaHa 20:131-132)
of Surah TaHa with saffron and then wear it as a talisman and In’sha Allah his proposal will be accepted.
20.21 Molana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (رحمه الله) writes
(i) For improving the memory, one should recite the verses
رب اشرح لي صدري
[Moses] said, “My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]
ويسر لي أمري
And ease for me my task
واحلل عقدة من لساني
And untie the knot from my tongue
يفقهوا قولي
That they may understand my speech. (TaHa 20:25-28)
of Surah TaHa 20 times after Fajr Salah everyday for strengthening his mind and progress in his knowledge.
(ii) Anyone who desires to be married should write the verses 131 and 132 of Surah TaHa on a piece of paper and wear it as a Taweez, he will soon get married -ln’Sha Allah. If a sick person wears it, he will -ln’Sha Allah soon be cured and if a poor person wears it, he will soon receive livelihood by the grace of Allah.
(Remedies from the Quran p20 & p22-23)
20.22 Allama Alam Faqri (رحمه الله) writes
(i) For honor and popularity among people one should recite the verses
طه
Ta, Ha.
ما أنزلنا عليك القرآن لتشقى
We have not sent down to you the Qur’an that you be distressed
إلا تذكرة لمن يخشى
But only as a reminder for those who fear [ Allah ] –
تنزيلا ممن خلق الأرض والسماوات العلى
A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens,
الرحمن على العرش استوى
The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.
له ما في السماوات وما في الأرض وما بينهما وما تحت الثرى
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.
وإن تجهر بالقول فإنه يعلم السر وأخفى
And if you speak aloud – then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden.
الله لا إله إلا هو له الأسماء الحسنى
Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names. (TaHa 20:1-8)
of Surah TaHa after Maghrib till Isha for 21 days. On the last day, he should write these Aayat on paper, wrap it in a cloth and wear on his right arm. Note that Isha is to be observed in congregation.
(ii) a) To ease learning, one should recite the verses
رب اشرح لي صدري
[Moses] said, “My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]
ويسر لي أمري
And ease for me my task
واحلل عقدة من لساني
And untie the knot from my tongue
يفقهوا قولي
That they may understand my speech. (TaHa 20:25-27)
of Surah TaHa 100 times after Fajr
b) To improve memory, recite the verses (20:25-27) of Surah TaHa 33 times on water and drink it for 11 days.
c) To overcome nervousness and stammering, recite the verses (20:25-27) of Surah TaHa daily 21 times after Fajr.
(iii) To treat a stubborn wound/ulcer/corn, recite the verses
ويسألونك عن الجبال فقل ينسفها ربي نسفا
And they ask you about the mountains, so say, “My Lord will blow them away with a blast.
فيذرها قاعا صفصفا
And He will leave the earth a level plain;
لا ترى فيها عوجا ولا أمتا
You will not see therein a depression or an elevation.” (TaHa 20:105-107)
of Surah TaHa 100 times after Fajr on water and drink it daily.
(iv) To overcome obstacles in marriage, recite the verses 131 and 132 of Surah TaHa 66 times after Isha. Surah Falak, Surah Ikhlas and Surah Nas should also be recited first 11 times each.
﴾ بإذن الله ﴿
Note: After each Amal make Dua to Allah for the desired purpose.
20.23 Duas
رب اشرح لي صدري
My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance]
ويسر لي أمري
And ease for me my task (20:25-26)
ربنا إننا نخاف أن يفرط علينا أو أن يطغى
Our Lord, indeed we are afraid that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress (20:45)
إنا آمنا بربنا ليغفر لنا خطايانا وما أكرهتنا عليه من السحر والله خير وأبقى
Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring (20:73)
رب زدني علما
My Lord, increase me in knowledge (20:114)
﴾ بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ﴿ 
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