Question

What is the authenticity of the following narration?

A person came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said, ‘O Rasulullah, I fear over my life, my children, my family and my wealth.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Every morning and evening recite the following du’a:

بسم الله على ديني ونفسي وولدي وأهلي ومالي

(Bismillahi ‘ala dini wa nafsi wa waladi wa ahli wa mali)

After some time Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) inquired regarding his fears. He said that his fears had all vanished.

Answer

Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a very weak chain.

(Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 54, pg. 396. Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4, pg. 195 -number: 7450- and Taqribut Tahdhib, 6108)

Imam Ibnus Sunni (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) with slight variation in the wording of the du’a. Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) has graded this chain weak.

(‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 51. Refer: Al Adhkar, Hadith: 230 and Nataijul Afkar, vol. 2, pg. 410)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar