its final words on your lips, for it is a disavowal of polytheism.”

Several narrators transmitted it from Abū Ishāq, who sometimes related it with a connected chain and sometimes with a link omitted. Zuhayr and Isrā’īl transmitted it from him with a connected chain. Shu‘bah also transmitted it from him but did not mention “from his father.” Instead, he said, “From Abū Ishāq, from a man, from Farwah ibn Nawfal,” without saying, “from his father.”

Al-Tirmidhī said, “Zuhayr’s narration is more likely to be correct and more authentic than Shu‘bah’s narration.” He added, “This hadith has also been transmitted through another chain: ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Nawfal narrated it from his father, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn Nawfal is the brother of Farwah ibn Nawfal.”

I say: Ismā‘īl ibn Abī Khālid also transmitted it from Abū Ishāq, who said:

“A man from Ashja‘ came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me some words to say when I go to sleep.’

“He replied, ‘You are a foster father to us. Recite “Say, O disbelievers!” when you go to sleep, for it is a disavowal of polytheism.’”

Thus, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, instructed one of the Muslims to recite this surah and told him that it is a disavowal of polytheism. If its address were directed only to those who die as polytheists, it would be a disavowal of their religion alone, not of the polytheism practised by someone who later embraces Islam. Yet it is clear that its purpose is to disavow every form of polytheism, whether in belief or practice.