Question

What is the status of the Hadith:

“One day’s fever expiates a year’s worth of sin.”

Answer

This is recorded by Imam Qudha’i (rahimahullah) in his Kitab; Ash-Shihab, hadith: 62 on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as part of a longer Hadith on fever.

This Hadith is declared sound (hasan) by ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah)

(Mukhtasar Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 393. Also see Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 421 and Sharhul ihya, vol. 9, pg. 526)

 Note: Generally Hadiths like the above refer to the expiation of the minor sins. For forgiveness for the major sins, one needs to do sincere tawbah.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar