Hadith: Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it

عن أبي أمامة الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال: سمعتُ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:
«اقرؤوا القرآنَ فإنَّه يأتي يوم القيامة شَفِيعًا لأصحابه، اقرؤوا الزَّهرَاوَين البقرةَ وسورةَ آل عِمران، فإنهما تأتِيان يوم القيامة كأنهما غَمَامَتان، أو كأنهما غَيَايَتانِ، أو كأنهما فِرْقانِ من طَيْر صَوافٍّ، تُحاجَّان عن أصحابهما، اقرؤوا سورة البقرة، فإن أخذها بَرَكة، وتركها حَسْرة، ولا تستطيعها البَطَلَة».
[صحيح] - [رواه مسلم] - [صحيح مسلم: 804]

Abu ’Umāmah al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say:
"Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Judgment it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite Az-Zahrāwayn (the two bright ones), Al-Baqarah, and Āl ‘Imrān, for on the Day of Judgment, they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surat al-Baqarah, for taking recourse to it is a blessing and abandoning it is a cause of grief, and magicians cannot confront it."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Muslim] - [Sahih Muslim - 804]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the regular recitation of the Qur’an, for it will intercede on the Day of Judgment for those who recite it and act upon it. He then emphasized the recitation of Surat al-Baqarah and Āl ‘Imrān, referring to them as "Az-Zahrāwayn"—the two radiant ones—due to their light and guidance. The reward of reciting them, reflecting on their meanings, and acting upon their teachings will come on the Day of Judgment in the form of two clouds, or something similar, or two flocks of birds with outstretched wings joined together, offering shade to their companion and defending him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) further emphasized the importance of consistently reciting Surat al-Baqarah, reflecting on its meanings, and acting upon its teachings. He stated that doing so brings immense blessing and benefit in both this world and the Hereafter, while abandoning it brings regret and sorrow on the Day of Judgment. Among the virtues of this surah is that magicians are unable to harm those who recite it.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. The command to recite the Qur’an frequently, and that it will intercede for its companions on the Day of Judgment—those who recite it, adhere to its guidance, uphold what it commands, and refrain from what it forbids.
2. The merit of Surat al-Baqarah and Āl ‘Imrān and their great reward.
3. The merit of Surat al-Baqarah and that it protects its companion from magic.