Short answer
They are among the best-attested virtues in the sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said Satan flees from a house where al-Baqarah is recited, that al-Baqarah and Al Imran will come on the Day of Judgement like two clouds shading their reciter, and that taking al-Baqarah is a blessing which sorcerers cannot overcome.
Reciting both surahs regularly is mustahabb. There is no fixed time or count set by the sunnah, and reading them over several sittings, or listening while you follow, is fine.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Authentic virtues from Sahih Muslim and al-Bukhari:
- "Do not make your houses graves. Satan flees from the house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited." (Muslim)
- "Read the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Al Imran, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds, or two shades, pleading for their companions." (Muslim)
- "Read Surah al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing, leaving it is a regret, and the sorcerers cannot withstand it." (Muslim)
- "Whoever recites the last two ayat of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him." (al-Bukhari)
- Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) is the greatest ayah in the Quran (Muslim), and reading it at bedtime brings Allah's protection through the night (al-Bukhari).
How long does it take? Al-Baqarah is the longest surah, about two and a half juz. The time depends on your speed. Many people split it across a few days, or read a part each night. Playing a recording helps the home, but reading it yourself, or listening attentively, brings the full reward of recitation. See is listening the same as reading.
For protection. Because of the hadith about sorcerers, scholars recommend al-Baqarah in ruqyah and for a home affected by evil. See protecting your house from shaytan.
Read Surah al-Baqarah, Surah Al Imran, Ayat al-Kursi and the last two ayat of al-Baqarah.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:2
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٢﴾
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah -
The opening of al-Baqarah describes the Quran as guidance.
Sahih Muslim 780
Sahih... إن الشيطان ينفر من البيت الذي تقرأ فيه سورة البقرة ...
"Satan flees from the house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited."
Al-Baqarah protects the home.
Sahih Muslim 804
Sahih... اقرءوا الزهراوين البقرة وسورة آل عمران ...
"Read the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Al Imran."
Both surahs will plead for their reciters.
Sahih Muslim 804
Sahih... فإن أخذها بركة وتركها حسرة ولا تستطيعها البطلة ...
"Taking it is a blessing, leaving it is a regret, and the sorcerers cannot withstand it."
Al-Baqarah brings blessing and protection from sorcery.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5009
Sahih... من قرأ بالآيتين من آخر سورة البقرة في ليلة كفتاه ...
"Whoever recites the last two ayat of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him."
The special virtue of the closing ayat.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Adhkar (al-Nawawi), Chapter on reciting the Quran, virtues of particular surahs. Collects the authentic hadith on al-Baqarah and Al Imran.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.