Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah — The Last Two Verses (Hafs)

About Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah

Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah are the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 285 and 286, beginning with Allah’s words «Amana ar-rasulu bima unzila ilayhi min Rabbihi» — “The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord.” They are among the most virtuous verses of the Holy Quran, and it is established in the authentic sunnah that whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him.

The Prophet ﷺ was given these verses on the greatest journey he was ever taken on — the night of the Isra’ and Mi‘raj — at Sidrat al-Muntaha, together with the five daily prayers and forgiveness for those of his ummah who do not associate anything with Allah. This shows their lofty status with Allah the Exalted.

The text shown on this page is the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, the reading used in most of the Muslim world, in the Uthmani script that follows the Madinah mushaf.

The virtue of Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah

1. “Whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him”

Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the two verses from the end of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) On the meaning of “they will suffice him” it has been said: they suffice him from standing the night in prayer; or they suffice him from every harm; or they suffice him from Shaytan and hardships. An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “It is possible that all of them are intended.”

2. From a treasure beneath the Throne, given to no prophet before the Prophet ﷺ

Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “We have been preferred above [other] people in three things… and I have been given these verses from the end of Surah Al-Baqarah from a treasure beneath the Throne; no prophet before me was given them.” (Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasa’i; graded sahih by Al-Albani.) Allah singled out the ummah of Muhammad ﷺ for these verses.

3. Revealed on the night of the Isra’ — and three things were given

Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was taken on the Night Journey, he reached Sidrat al-Muntaha… and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was given three things: the five daily prayers, the closing verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and the forgiveness — for those of his ummah who do not associate any partner with Allah — of grave sins.” (Reported by Muslim.)

4. Allah answered its supplications

Verse 286 contains five great supplications, and it is established in Sahih Muslim that Allah answered each one of them — every time the believer says: “Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or err,” Allah says: “I have done so,” and likewise for the rest of the supplications. They are supplications answered by Allah’s permission.

A reflection on the two verses

Verse 285 — The faith of the Messenger and the believers

The verse begins by stating the faith of the Prophet ﷺ and the believers in what Allah has revealed, and that they all share one creed: belief in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. Then comes the explicit statement that they make no distinction between any of His messengers — for they are all sent by Allah with the message of tawhid. Then the formula of submission: “We hear and we obey,” and the request for forgiveness: “Your forgiveness, our Lord — and to You is the [final] destination.”

Verse 286 — Responsibility and the five supplications

The verse begins with a great principle: “Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear” — Allah does not place on a servant more than they are able. It then makes clear that the human being is rewarded for the good their soul has earned and held accountable for the evil it has earned. Then come the five great supplications:

“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or err” — asking pardon for forgetfulness and mistakes.
“Our Lord, and do not lay upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us” — asking that the heavy obligations be lifted.
“Our Lord, and do not burden us with that which we have no ability to bear” — asking for ease.
“Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy upon us” — gathering pardon, forgiveness, and mercy.
“You are our Master, so help us against the disbelieving people” — asking for victory over the disbelievers.

When are Khawatim Al-Baqarah recited?

Before sleep, every night — “whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him.”
Within the morning and evening adhkar, asking Allah for protection.
After the obligatory prayers, as part of the post-prayer adhkar.
In times of hardship — to seek Allah’s help and to invoke Him with their great supplications.
In the prescribed ruqyah, together with Ayat Al-Kursi and the Mu‘awwidhat.

Frequently asked questions

What are Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah?

Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah are the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah — verses 285 and 286 — beginning with Allah’s words «Amana ar-rasulu bima unzila ilayhi min Rabbihi wal-mu’minun» — “The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers.” They are among the verses of greatest virtue and most decisive meaning in the Holy Quran.

What is the virtue of reciting the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah?

It is authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ in the two Sahihs that he said: “Whoever recites the two verses from the end of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) The meaning of “they will suffice him” is: they are sufficient for him in place of standing the night in prayer; or they suffice him from every harm; or they protect him from the evils of that night. This is a great virtue for whoever maintains them every night.

What is the story of the revelation of Khawatim Surah Al-Baqarah?

In the hadith of the Isra’ reported by Muslim from Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him), when the Prophet ﷺ was taken on the Night Journey, he reached Sidrat al-Muntaha and was given three things: the five daily prayers, the closing verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and the forgiveness — for those of his ummah who do not associate any partner with Allah — of grave sins. This shows the great status of these two verses with Allah.

What does “they will suffice him” mean in the hadith?

The scholars have differed over the meaning of “they will suffice him” into several views: (1) they suffice him from standing the night in prayer; (2) they suffice him from every harm; (3) they suffice him from the evils of that night; (4) they suffice him against Shaytan; (5) all of these meanings together. An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “It is possible that all of them are intended.” The first and second views are the best known.

Are Khawatim Al-Baqarah recited before sleep?

Yes — it is recommended to recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah before sleep, following the Prophetic sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the two verses from the end of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” These verses are among the recommended adhkar before sleep that protect the servant by Allah’s permission.

What is the content of verse 285 of Surah Al-Baqarah?

Verse 285 speaks of the faith of the Messenger ﷺ and the believers in what Allah has revealed, and their belief in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers — and that they make no distinction between any of His messengers. Then comes the formula of submission, “We hear and we obey,” and the request for forgiveness, “Your forgiveness, our Lord — and to You is the [final] destination.”

What are the great supplications in verse 286?

Verse 286 contains five great supplications: (1) “Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or err”; (2) “Our Lord, and do not lay upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us”; (3) “Our Lord, and do not burden us with that which we have no ability to bear”; (4) “Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy upon us”; (5) “You are our Master — so help us against the disbelieving people.” It is established that Allah has answered each of these supplications.

What does “Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear” mean?

It means that Allah does not place upon a servant any of the obligations of the religion except what they are able to do and capable of bearing. The religion is built on ease and on the lifting of hardship. “Wus‘ahā” means capacity and ability. This verse reassures the heart of the believer that whatever Allah has commanded them is within their reach, and that He does not punish them for what they cannot do.

When are the best times to recite Khawatim Al-Baqarah?

The best time to recite the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah is right before sleep, following the Prophetic sunnah. They can also be read within the morning and evening adhkar, after the obligatory prayers, or whenever asking Allah for protection and help.

Which recitation is the text on this page based on?

The text shown on this page is the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim — the most widely used reading in the Muslim world — written in the Uthmani script that follows the Madinah mushaf.

Are Khawatim Al-Baqarah recited together with Ayat Al-Kursi?

Many Muslims combine the recitation of Ayat Al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 255) with Khawatim Al-Baqarah (285–286) in the adhkar before sleep. Both are from Surah Al-Baqarah and have a great, well-established virtue, and combining them is a good practice that follows the way of the righteous.