Mu’adh bin Abdullah bin Khubaib, narrated from his father (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu), who said: “We went out on a rainy and extremely dark night, looking for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, so that he could lead us in Salat.” He said: “So I met him and he ﷺ said: ‘Speak’ but I did not say anything. Then he ﷺ said: ‘Speak.’ But I did not say anything. He ﷺ said: ‘Speak.’ So I said: ‘What should I say?’ He ﷺ said: “Recite Sūrah al-Ikhlās and al-Mu’awwidhatayn (Sūrah al-Falaq and Sūrah al-Nās) three times in the morning and the evening. It will suffice you in all respects.” (Tirmidhī 3575)
Anas (radiy Allāhū ‘anhu) reported: “There was a man from the Ansar who led them (in Salah) at Masjid Quba. Every time he was to recite a Surah for them during Salah, he would begin by reciting Sūrah al-Ikhlās until he finished, then he would recite another Surah with it. He did that in each Rak’ah. His companions talked to him and said: ‘You recite this Surah. You should either recite it or leave it and recite another Surah.’” He said: “I shall not leave it, if you would like me to lead you with it then I shall do so, and if you do not like it then I shall leave you.” And they considered him the best among them, and they did not like the idea of someone else leading them. So when the Prophet ﷺ came to them they informed him about what had happened and he ﷺ said: “O so-and-so! What prevents you from doing what your companions told you to do, why do recite this Surah in every Rak’ah” He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I love Sūrah al-Ikhlās.’ He ﷺ said: ‘Your love for it will admit you into Paradise.’” (Tirmidhī 2901)
‘These Sūrahs are extremely effective in repelling magic, evil eye, and the rest of the evils…The need for a slave to seek Allah’s protection with these Sūrahs is greater than his need for eating, drinking and clothes.’ (Ibn al-Qayyim raḥimahullāh)