The Last Two Verses of Surah At-Tawbah: The Secret and Virtues That Protect the Reciter from Death for That Day

Every verse of our holy book, the Qur’an, is undoubtedly a source of healing and mercy. However, some verses hold a special place in the lives of believers due to the secrets and virtues they contain. The last two verses of Surah At-Tawbah, “Laqad ja’akum…” and “Fa-in tawallaw…”, are among these special verses.

Considered a key for many needs, from the sublime goal of seeing the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream to finding relief from debt and healing from illness, the most striking narration about these verses is the glad tiding that one who recites them with sincerity will not be killed on that day.

Let’s explore the spiritual treasures behind these two blessed verses together.

The Revelation That Came with Seventy Thousand Angels: The Last Verses of Surah At-Tawbah

To understand the immense importance of these verses, one must listen to the narrations that witnessed their revelation. Ubayy ibn Ka’b (r.a.), one of the great companions, stated that these two verses were the very last to be revealed from the Qur’an.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself reported that these verses descended in a unique manner, accompanied by a magnificent spiritual army: “The Qur’an was revealed to me verse by verse, letter by letter, except for Surah Al-Bara’ah (At-Tawbah) and Surah Al-Ikhlas. For when these two surahs were revealed to me, they were accompanied by 70,000 rows of angels.”

Another narration mentions the number as “seventy thousand rows of angels.” This is the clearest evidence of the great value attributed to the last two verses of Surah At-Tawbah by Allah Almighty.

The Deed of the People of Paradise: An Eighty-Year-Old Secret

One of the most impressive anecdotes about the spiritual heights a person can reach by making these verses a part of their regular recitation (wird) is narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Mujahid al-Maqri (may Allah have mercy on him). This story holds a significant place in books of Havas (Secret Knowledge) and manaqib (biographical anecdotes).

The Encounter of Two Scholars and the Divine Honor

Abu Bakr ibn Mujahid narrates: “I was sitting in the mosque when Abu Bakr ash-Shibli entered. I stood up out of respect for him. My companions found my action strange and asked me, ‘You did not stand up when the vizier Ali ibn Isa came, so why did you stand for Ash-Shibli?’ I replied, ‘How could I not show respect to a man whom the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) values?'”

The Glad Tidings in the Prophet’s Dream: How Did He Attain This Rank?

Abu Bakr ibn Mujahid explained the reason for his words: “One night, I saw the Prophet (PBUH) in my dream. He told me, ‘O Abu Bakr! Tomorrow, a man from the people of Paradise will come to you. Be sure to honor him!’ That day, Ash-Shibli came, and I followed the command of our Prophet. Two days later, I saw the Prophet (PBUH) in my dream again. This time, he said, ‘O Abu Bakr! Because you honored a man from the people of Paradise, Allah has also honored you.’ I asked with great curiosity: ‘O Messenger of Allah! By what deed did Ash-Shibli attain this high rank?’ The Most Noble Messenger replied: ‘For eighty years, after every obligatory prayer, he recites the last verse of Surah At-Tawbah, ‘Laqad ja’akum…,’ to the end. Should not one who performs such a deed be honored?’”

The Material and Spiritual Benefits of the Last Two Verses of Surah At-Tawbah

The virtues of these verses are not limited to spiritual ranks alone. They are also a door of mercy for worldly troubles and needs. According to narrations, those who continue to recite these verses are granted the following blessings by the will of Allah:

• Strength and Power: One who feels weak finds strength.
• Honor and Dignity: One who is despised or in a lowly state gains honor and dignity.
• Victory and Success: One who is defeated attains victory.
• Provision and Abundance: The provision of one suffering from poverty and hardship increases, and they become prosperous.
• Ease and Safety: They find ease in all their affairs with Allah’s help.
• Relief from Debt: One in debt finds the means to pay it off.
• Freedom from Captivity: One who is imprisoned or in a difficult situation will find release if they continue to recite it 41 times.

Is It Possible to See the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a Dream?

It is foretold that for the one who makes it a habit to recite these blessed verses 41 times every day, the doors of spiritual secrets and mysteries will be opened by the grace of Allah. The greatest honor for sincere believers who persist in this practice is the honor of seeing the mercy to the worlds, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in their dreams.

The Narration: “Whoever Recites These Verses Will Not Be Killed That Day”

One of the most famous narrations found in works like Khawass al-Qur’an (The Special Properties of the Qur’an) is as follows: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah At-Tawbah in a day, he will not die on that day.” In other narrations, it is stated as “he will not be killed” or “he will not be wounded by a metal tool.”

It is even narrated that some righteous people, remembering this hadith, continued to recite these verses even when they fell ill, and thus lived to be 100 or 120 years old. According to the narration, when their time of death came, the Prophet (PBUH) would appear to them in their dreams and gently admonish them, saying, “How much longer will you flee from us?” Upon this sign, they would cease reciting the verses and surrender their souls.

Surah At-Tawbah, Verses 128 and 129 (Arabic, Transliteration, and Meaning)

Here are those blessed verses:

Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 128

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ

Transliteration: Laqad ja’akum rasulun min anfusikum ‘azizun ‘alayhi ma ‘anittum harisun ‘alaykum bil-mu’minina ra’ufun rahim.

Meaning: There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.

Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 129

فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Transliteration: Fa-in tawallaw faqul hasbiy-Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbu-l-‘Arsh-il-‘Azim.

Meaning: But if they turn away, [O Muhammad], say, “Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.”

Final Word

The last two verses of Surah At-Tawbah are both a sanctuary and a spring of mercy for us believers. These verses, which remind us of Allah’s love for His Messenger, the Prophet’s deep concern for his community, and that the only door to seek refuge in the most difficult moments is the door of Allah, are like a divine prescription.

Incorporating them into our lives, reciting them regularly, and reflecting on their meanings will, by Allah’s will, be both a solution to our worldly problems and one of the most valuable provisions for our journey to the Hereafter. May my Lord allow us all to partake in the grace and blessings of these verses.

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Bibliography

• Imam al-Yafi’i, Khawass al-Qur’an.
• Iqd al-Durar wa al-La’ali. (A work compiling anecdotes, including the narration from Abu Bakr ibn Mujahid al-Maqri).
• The Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey, Translation of the Holy Qur’an. (Reference for the meaning of the verses).