The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has said that one who recites it is regarded (by the Almighty) as though he fasted the month of Ramadan and spent Laylatul Qadr adoring his Maker.

Imam Ja�faras-Sadiq (pbuh) is quoted saying that whoever recites this Chapter in one of the obligatory prayers will be addressed: �O servant of Allah! Your past sins have been forgiven, so resume your good deed!� And he (pbuh) has also said, �Whoever recites it audibly will be like one raising his sword in defense of Islam, and if he recites it silently will be regarded as though he died a martyr for the causeof Islam, and if someone recites it ten (10) times, a thousand of his sins will be forgiven.� 

Imam Ali (pbuh) has said that �...everything has a treasure, and the treasure of the poor is al-Qadr. Everything has a helper, and the helper of the weak is al-Qadr. Everything has an ease, and the ease of those in difficulty is al-Qadr. Everything has a chief and the chief of knowledge is al-Qadr...�

Imam Ja�far as-Sadiq (pbuh) said: �Whoever recites Sura�s Ankabut and ar-Rum on the 23rd nightof Ramadan will certainly be among the people of paradise without any exception... and surely thesetwo Sura�s have a high position with Allah.� He (pbuh) has also said, �One who recites Sura al-Ankabut will receive ten good deeds for the number of each and every believer and disbeliever.�Recitation of Sura al-Ankabut with understanding brings about an increase in faith and sincerity in actions. These two effects of the Sura have an impact on a believer�s life and help make him/hersteadfast on the path of Allah.

The Sura has been named Ankabut because of Ayat #41 which talks of the frailty of the false gods, comparing them to the web of a spider.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted saying that one who recites Surat ar-Rum will receive ten good deeds for each angel praising Allah between the earth and the heavens, and he will have compensated for whatever he missed during his day and night, adding, according to al-Kaf�ami, �I do not make any exception for it, nor do I fear (for having said so) that I am committing a sin (for making such a statement), and these Sura�s enjoy a special favor with Allah; I mean Sura al-Ankabut and Sura ar-Rum.�

This Sura derives its name from the prophecy in the beginning of the Sura that the Romans (who were Christians) would defeat the Persians (who were idol-worshippers) in the near future. This was reassuring for the Muslims who had been taunted that the idol-worshippers were gaining victory over those who believed in One God. Recitation of Sura is highly recommended on Laylatul Qadr.

One of the important topics discussed in Sura ar-Rum is the proof of the Creator present in the many wonders of creation around us. In Ayats 20-25, and then Ayats 46-54 of the Sura, Allah talks about His signs present in the creation of the world and in human beings, in the wisdom behind the system running in the Universe, and the power and mercy of Allah so evident in the working of the world. There is an invitation to ponder over these signs, to gain a firm and un doubtful faith in the Creator.

Many people, however, reject these clear signs, and prefer to continue in disbelief. Believers are sometimes affected by such skeptics, and may waver in their faith. Sura ar-Rum ends by describing the fate of such skeptics on the day of Judgment, and warns believers not to be affected by them in the world.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted saying that whoever recites this Sura on a Friday night will be forgiven and will receive for each of its verses the rewards of one who sets a hundred thousand slaves free, and seventy thousand angels will seek forgiveness for him; and Allah will build a mansion for whoever recites it on Fridays. Imam Ja�far as-Sadiq (pbuh) has said that one who recites it during his obligatory and optional prayers will be resurrected among those who will be secure and Allah will shade him with the shade of His Arsh and will try him an easy trial and give him his book (of reckoning) in his right hand.

The Sura derives its name from Ayat #10 which warns of a clearly visible smoke descending on the unbelievers. Some commentators believe it refers to the smoke which will envelop the world before

the day of Judgment, and which will be especially painful for the unbelievers. There is great reward for reciting this Sura in obligatory and recommended prayers. At the beginning of this Sura, an indirect reference is made to the night of Qadr. This was the first time Muslims were told about Laylatul Qadr. The only other mention of Laylatul Qadr in the Qur�an is in Sura al-Qadr, which has a direct reference to the holy night. Thus both Sura�s are recommended for recitation on the night of Qadr.