Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

asalam o alaikum

I was given a book called "Manzil" by someone, they said that it was not anything out of the Quran as it contains different ayahs from the Quran like the beginig of surah Baqarah, some ayahs from Surah Rehman & the Mauzatain & couple of other ayahs. basically its a collection of these ayah which are supposed to be read for protection from evil spirits may they be in the form of human or anyother form, the same purpose the morning & evening dua`s which the prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) recited.I was wondering if this is alright & not a biddah or any thing which might be harmful for me rather than being good.

Ma`Sallam 

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Answer:

Collection of surahs

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and Beloved Sister in Islam, the truth is that we have not come across this book called ‘Manzil’, nor do we have any knowledge about it. But if there is any book which consists of Verses, supplications, or phrases from the Quran and the Sunnah alone, without an iota of a doubt, all such books are beneficial.

What would make the recitation of these verses or supplications a ‘bida’ or innovation is if it dictates that a particular verse or supplication has to be read a particular number of times, or at a specific time of the day, or in a particular way, etc. for a particular result to be achieved, without any evidence for these specifications from the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws). If that is what the book demands, then its following would be a ‘bida’; but if the book simply consists of some verses or supplications or phrases which one may recite any number of times, its reading would not be considered a ‘bida’.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan