The merit of the last two Ayahs of Surah Al-`Imran

Q 5: It is said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite every night the two Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) 189 and 200 of Surah (Qur'anic chapter) Al-`Imran. Al-Darimy reported on the authority of `Uthman ibn `Affan that he said: "Anyone who recites the end of Al-`Imran at night, it will be recorded for him as having performed Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night)." What is your opinion in this regard?

A: We know of no basis affirming that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the two Ayahs 189 and 200 of Surah Al-`Imran every night. The report on the authority of `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was recorded by Al-Darimy in his Sunan as Mawquf (Hadith narrated from a Companion of the Prophet that are not attributed to the Prophet). Al-Darimy said that Is-haq ibn `Isa narrated this Hadith from Ibn Lahi`ah from Yazid ibn Abu Habib from Abu Al-Khayr on the authority of `Uthman. Ibn Lahi`ah is not a reliable narrator. The Isnad (chain of narrators) of the Hadith is Da`if (weak).