A du’a for protection from major and minor shirk

Question

I would appreciate the correct translation of the following Hadith and the reference.

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Abu Bakr! Shirk [Pride/Arrogance] is more hidden than the crawling of an ant.” Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked: “Is not Shirk restricted to ascribing partners to Allah Ta’ala?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I take an oath in that Being in whose control lies my soul, Shirk is more hidden than the crawling of an ant, should I not show you such a supplication that if you recite it, you will be free from minor and major shirk.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed him to say: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from ascribing any partners to You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness from that which I am unaware of.”

Answer

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith in Al Adabul Mufrad. The translation as appears above is correct.

(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 716. Also see Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah with footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, Hadith: 30163)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar