✍ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
❀ It Is Permissible to Recite the Same Surah in Two Rakʿahs
The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the understanding of the scholars indicate that reciting the same Surah in both rakʿahs of a prayer is permissible and does not invalidate the prayer. This ruling is based on authentic Hadith evidence.
① Hadith of Muʿādh ibn ʿAbdullāh al-Juhani رضي الله عنه
He narrated that a man informed him:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite Sūrah Idhā Zulzilatil-Arḍu in both rakʿahs of the Fajr prayer.”
He added:
“I do not know whether he did so out of forgetfulness or intentionally.”
📚 [Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 730; Kitāb al-Ṣalāh: Bāb al-Rajul Yuʿīd Sūrah Wāḥidah fī al-Rakʿatayn; Abū Dāwūd: 816]
② Commentary of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar explained:
“The apparent understanding is that the Prophet ﷺ did it intentionally, in order to establish the permissibility of doing so as a Sunnah.”
📚 [Al-Mirʿāh: 3/177]
✅ Summary of Rulings:
❖ Reciting the same Surah in two rakʿahs is permissible, whether done intentionally or unintentionally.
❖ It does not affect the validity of the prayer.
❖ Though it is more common to recite different Surahs, repetition is allowed, especially when done for ease or for a reason.
❖ The Prophet ﷺ did so himself, affirming its legitimacy.
📝 Conclusion:
✔ It is valid and permissible to recite the same Surah in both rakʿahs of a prayer.
✔ This may happen due to forgetfulness, comfort, or deliberate choice—all are acceptable under Shariʿah.
