Reciting Surah Yasin on Friday nights¹ Tahlilan and Tahlil Arwah, as well as in mosques or homes, is to seek Allah’s blessings and protection. In many of these gatherings, food and drinks are often shared with the intention of serving as charity on behalf of the deceased, contributing to their ‘amal jariah (ongoing good deeds). These practices are common and are not merely cultural customs. Their foundations are deeply rooted in the Shariah (Islamic law and faith). 

Let’s explore both the religious and historical background of Surah Yasin and Tahlil, examining how these practices play a significant role in the community. We will also delve into some key themes of Surah Yasin to appreciate the significance of the surah and these gatherings.

Benefits of Reciting the Quran

Reciting the Holy Quran brings numerous benefits beyond attaining the reward from Allah s.w.t. The verses of the Quran, when recited, can be a cause of healing (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:82), soothe the heart (Surah Yunus, 10:57), bring tranquillity to the soul (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28), invite Allah’s mercy (rahmah) (Surah An-Nahl, 16:89) and many more.

Apart from the general benefits of the Quran, specific surahs hold particular significance through the names accorded. These multiple names indicate the high importance of those surahs. Linguist scholar, Al-Fairuz Abadi said²: 

"Know that the abundance of names indicates the nobility of the named entity or its perfection in a certain aspect."

For example, Surah Al-Fatihah is also known as Umm Al-Kitab (The Mother of the Book) and As-Sab’ Al-Mathani (The Seven Praises), to name just a few as it is recited repeatedly in our daily prayers.

Significance of Surah Yasin

Another surah with multiple names is Surah Yasin (36: 1-83). In a hadith, it’s narrated that Yasin is the ‘Heart of the Quran’. This means that the surah embodies the essence and core of the Quran, encapsulating its true purpose. Imam Al-Ghazali remarked⁴,

“The validity of faith lies in the acknowledgement of resurrection and the gathering (after death), and it is affirmed in this surah in the most eloquent manner. Thus, it was considered the heart of the Quran for that reason.”

The meanings derived from these verses can be categorised in a way that is as vital to the soul as the heart is to the body, for without it, iman is incomplete. The themes and meanings of these verses will be explored further towards the end of the article, insyaAllah.

Exploring the Themes of Surah Yasin

Surah Yasin is often referred to as the ‘Heart of the Quran’ as it beautifully captures the essential teachings of Islam, reminding us of Allah’s s.w.t. power, the truth of prophethood, and the reality of the afterlife. This surah is a call to reflect on our beliefs, actions and ultimate purpose.

Let’s now delve into the key themes and essential lessons from Surah Yasin:

1. Divine Message of the Quran (Verses 1-12)

Surah Yasin opens with the ‘mysterious’ letters “Ya-Sin,” highlighting the Quran as a special message from Allah s.w.t. Similar to the start of many other Quranic chapters, these disjointed Quranic letters (huruf muqatta’ah) are open to interpretations by scholars. Others reserve its true meaning to Allah s.w.t, confirming that the Prophet s.a.w. is a true guide, sent to show people the right way.

Screenshot of Surah Yasin on MuslimSG app.

The verses remind us that while the message is clear, some will still refuse to believe, even when the signs are right before them. Allah s.w.t. warns us of their characteristics:

وَسَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

“It is the same whether you warn them or not—they will never believe.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:10)

2. Story of the Messengers (verses 13-32)

Allah s.w.t. shares a powerful story about the residents of a town (qaryah), where He sent two messengers to guide the people, but the messengers were ignored and rejected. Some scholars identified the town as Antioch, a populous city of ancient Syria and now a major town of south-central Turkey.

A man from the edge of the town courageously came to support the messengers, urging his people to believe the disaster that was coming their way, but they still turned away, leading to their destruction.

The story teaches us that rejecting the truth leads to loss, while supporting what is right brings Allah’s s.w.t. reward. It reminds us that everyone will eventually stand before Allah s.w.t on the Day of Judgement, no matter what they believe.

أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ. وَإِن كُلٌّ لَّمَّا جَمِيعٌ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ.

“Have the deniers not considered how many peoples We destroyed before them who never came back to life again? Yet they will all be brought before Us (on the Day of Judgement).”

(Surah Yasin, 36:31-32)

3. Signs of Allah’s s.w.t. Power and Proof of the Resurrection (Verses 33-50)

These verses remind us to look around at Allah’s creation and contemplate on His signs in nature:

• How Allah s.w.t. brings dead soil to life with plants.
• The perfect cycle of day and night, and the precise orbits of the celestial bodies.
• The Ark of Nuh a.s. that sailed safely because of Allah’s mercy. Likewise, all means of transportation or vehicles can travel safely by His mercy.

These signs show us that Allah s.w.t has power over everything. Just as He demonstrates His power and capability in nature, Allah s.w.t. is equally capable of bringing the dead back to life. Nothing is beyond His power and control.

Following the display of Allah’s magnificent power in creation and His boundless mercy, this segment of the surah also warns us against turning away from His signs and the truth. It also highlights the dangers of being those who are selfish and neglecting our duty to help others. He has shown how He can take away His blessings from the ungrateful at any point in time to show us His might. Allah s.w.t. has shown how those who rejected the call to guidance mocked the warnings given to them at their own expense. 

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ. مَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ تَأْخُذُهُمْ وَهُمْ يَخِصِّمُونَ. فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةًۭ وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ.

“And they ask (mockingly), ‘When will this threat come to pass, if what you say is true?’ They must be awaiting a single Blast (the first trumpet blown by the Angel causing all to die), which will seize them while they are (entrenched) in (worldly) disputes.They will have no time to make bequests, nor will they have the chance to return to their own people.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:48-50)

4. Reality of the Day of Judgement (Verses 51-70)

After addressing the truth of the Day of Resurrection, Surah Yasin reminds us that on that day, everyone will be questioned about their deeds. Even those who doubted will realise the truth on that day, but by then, it will be too late to believe.

قَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَا مَنۢ بَعَثَنَا مِن مَّرْقَدِنَا ۜ ۗ هَـٰذَا مَا وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَصَدَقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ

“They will cry, ‘Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of rest? This must be what the Most Compassionate warned us of; the messengers told the truth!”

(Surah Yasin, 36:52)

On that day, even our own hands and feet will testify against us. Nothing can be hidden from Allah s.w.t.

ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

“On this Day We will seal their mouths, their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to what they used to commit.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:65)

Allah s.w.t. has promised that on the Day of Judgement, no soul will be wronged. All will be rewarded for what they used to do in their life before. 

As for those who believe, do good and take heed of Allah’s signs, they will enjoy the blissful Paradise (Jannah) in the company of their loved ones:

إِنَّ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍ فَـٰكِهُونَ. هُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُمْ فِى ظِلَـٰلٍ عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ مُتَّكِـُٔونَ. لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ وَلَهُم مَّا يَدَّعُونَ. سَلَـٰمٌۭ قَوْلًۭا مِّن رَّبٍّۢ رَّحِيمٍ.
“Indeed, on that Day the residents of Paradise will be busy enjoying themselves. They and their spouses will be in (cool) shade, reclining on the couches. There they will have fruits and whatever they desire. And ‘Peace!’ will be (their) greeting from the Merciful Lord.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:55-58)

5. Accountability and Allah’s Unparalleled Power Over All of Creation (Verses 71-83)

This last part of Surah Yasin continues to show the clear difference between the believers and disbelievers. Those who believe will enjoy the rewards of paradise, while those who deny and reject the truth will be accountable for what they have done.

Allah s.w.t. reminds us that life and death are under His control, and only He can create and bring life back whenever He wills.

وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِىَ خَلْقَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ مَن يُحْىِ ٱلْعِظَـٰمَ وَهِىَ رَمِيمٌۭ. قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَهَآ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ.

“And they argue with Us—forgetting they were created—saying, ‘Who will give life to decayed bones?’ Say, (O Prophet,) ‘They will be revived by the One Who produced them the first time, for He has ˹(perfect)˺ knowledge of every created being.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:78-79)

The surah concludes by praising Allah s.w.t, who has control and power over all. As a believer, we are to acknowledge His greatness and remember that everything is subject to His will.

فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 

“So glory be to the One in Whose Hands is the authority over all things, and to Whom (alone) you will (all) be returned.”

(Surah Yasin, 36:83)

When and Why Should Surah Yasin be Recited?

The Holy Quran is encouraged to be recited frequently, without restriction to a specific time or place. However, there are certain occasions when its recitation is particularly recommended for specific reasons. For example, Surah Yasin is recommended to be recited on various occasions, such as:

1. On the Deathbed

It was narrated that the Prophet s.a.w advised that Surah Yasin should be recited for a person on their deathbed. This recitation helps to ease the pain as the soul departs from the body. 

The Prophet s.a.w. said in a sahih hadith by Ibn Hibban: 

اقْرَؤُوا عَلَى مَوْتَاكُمْ يس

“Recite Yasin, over those who are dying.” 

(Bulughul Maram)⁶

2. Seven Days Straight After Burial

Another continuous practice of the early predecessors was to recite the Quran for seven consecutive days following the burial. Imam Al-Suyuti in his book Al-Hawi documented this practice among many scholars, noting that it was a tradition of the people of Makkah and Madinah since the time of the companions r.a. This tradition is based on a hadith by Tawus and ʿUbaid ibn ʿUmair, stating that a believer is tested in their grave for seven days, while a hypocrite (munafiq) is tested for 40 days.⁷

Giving Charity on Behalf of The Deceased

It is also permitted to give charity in the name of the deceased without being limited to specific days, whether it be seven, 40, or 100 days, or even a year after the deceased’s passing, as is commonly practiced. Charity can take various forms beyond monetary contributions; it may include feeding the poor, dedicating a wakaf (endowment), reciting the Quran, or performing other acts of kindness.⁸ 

Will the Rewards of Reciting the Quran Reach the Deceased?

Reciting Surah Yasin is a part of reciting the Quran. Often, people gather with the intention of dedicating the rewards of their recitation to the deceased. While jurists have differing opinions on whether the rewards of Quran recitation reach the deceased, Imam An-Nawawi resolved this dispute by stating that making a dua—such as saying, “O Allah, grant the rewards of what we have recited to the deceased”—will indeed benefit them.⁹ 

Prayers and supplications for the deceased are unanimously agreed upon (ijma’) by scholars as acts that reach the deceased. Allah s.w.t says in the Quran:

وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَٰنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّۭا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ

“And those who come after them will pray, ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow bitterness into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.”

(Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10)¹⁰

More Than a Spiritual Gathering

In these gatherings, tahlil is often recited alongside Surah Yasin. Tahlil, which essentially involves the recitation of ‘La ilaha illa Allah,’ follows a specific format rooted in the traditions of the Wali Songo (the Nine Saints of Islam).¹¹

Reciting the Quran and repeating words of tauhid (the oneness of Allah s.w.t), such as in Tahlil, not only renews faith but also multiplies the rewards for those participating. In addition to these rewards, there are other advantages derived from such gatherings:

1. Spiritual Development: These gatherings serve as an opportunity for the moral and spiritual growth of the participants. Reciting and making zikr to Allah s.w.t in congregation strengthens faith and renews enthusiasm for worship.

2. Psychological Support: They can offer comfort to grieving families, helping them avoid despair and reminding them that all events occur according to Allah s.w.t’s provision and qada’ and qadr (divine will).

3. Strengthening Bonds: These gatherings can help to foster a sense of unity among extended families, neighbours and friends. It can also help to close the communication gap between the older and younger generations, creating a stronger bond that honours the legacy of those who have passed. This practice embodies the concept of Muslim brotherhood and solidarity across generations.¹²

Read: 8 Ways To Get Closer To Allah

These benefits are not limited to the gathering of Tahlil Arwah but can also extend to other gatherings of zikr and remembrance. Let’s continue attending and organising such gatherings, not only to reap their benefits but also to promote social well-being and strengthen community bonds.

(Image source: Facebook Masjid Ar-Raudhah)

Conclusion

Surah Yasin is a beautiful chapter of the Quran that is often called the ‘Heart of the Quran’. Indeed, Surah Yasin holds immense significance, reminding us of Allah’s power, mercy and our accountability. Reciting it in Tahlil gatherings can help to strengthen our connection with the Quran while nurturing a sense of communal and familial unity, and spirituality. 

Furthermore, in this article, we have also seen the  significance of these gatherings, which includes psychological benefits. It is hoped that while attending such gatherings, we can better connect with the surah and appreciate the longstanding tradition that has been part of our religious practice and culture.

Let’s continue to maintain and increase good deeds and acts of worship in our practices, along with meaningful reflections that can help strengthen our faith and connection to Allah s.w.t. May Allah s.w.t. facilitate and make it easy for all of us. Ameen.

References

¹ In Islam, the day begins at sunset, with the night preceding the day, based on the lunar calendar. For example, if today is Thursday, the moment the sun sets, it’s already considered the beginning of Friday in Islam.

² Al-Fairuz Abadi, Basaʾir Dhawi Al-Tamyiz, vol. 1, pg. 88

³ “Indeed, everything has a heart, and the heart of the Quran is Ya Sin” (Sunan At-Tirmizi)

⁴ Mulla Ali Al-Qari, Mirqat Al-Mafatih, vol. 4, pg. 478

⁵ A’la’uddin Al-Khazin, Tafsir Al-Khazin, vol. 4

⁶ The hadith is narrated by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Hibban who graded it as Sahih. See Bulughul Maram 537

⁷ Both Tawus and ‘Ubaid were among the tabi’een. Some even considered the latter to be a sahabi (companion). Although the hadith is not directly from the Prophet s.a.w, some scholars have argued that its status is as though it were from the Prophet s.a.w. himself. See As-Suyuti, Al-Hawi lil-Fatawi, vol 2, pg. 178

⁸ Shaykh An-Nawawi Al-Bantani, Nihayat Az-Zayn, pg. 275

⁹ An-Nawawi, Al-Azkar, pg.164

¹⁰ An-Nawawi, Al-Azkar, pg.164-165

¹¹ Tahlilan, a custom introduced by the Wali Songo, is inseparable from their method of spreading Islam, which embraced cultural practices. See Warisno, A., & ZA, T. (2018). The local wisdom and purpose of the Tahlilan tradition. Advanced Science Letters, 24(10), 7082-7086. Retrieved here.

¹² Ibid

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