Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
The Hadith confirms that reciting the last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah at night provides sufficient protection. Still, the Prophet encouraged reciting Ayat al-Kursi, Al-Fatihah, and the last three Surahs before sleep to gain extra rewards and follow his Sunnah.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
The Hadith you referred to is reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah ibn `Amr: If one were to read the last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah at night (before retiring to bed), it would suffice him (as a means of protection).”
However, this does not mean we should stop reading Al-Fatihah and the last three Surahs of the Quran.
By doing so, we stand to gain extra benefits. First, it is a sunnah established by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He used to read them every night, and he also used to instruct his family and children to read them.
Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended reading Ayat al-Kursi before retiring to bed and after obligatory prayers.
In conclusion, if a person were to limit reading the last two verses, it is acceptable; however, he may follow it up by reading Ayat al-Kursi, Al-Fathihah, and the last three surahs for extra rewards and protection.
May Allah bless us to turn to Him always seeking His grace and protection.
👉 Explore more here:
- What Are the Virtues of Ayat Al-Kursi?
- Reciting Ayat al-Kursi for Protection: Why? (Video)
- Healing Verses in the Quran
Almighty Allah knows best.