Question

There is a narration in Bukhari where Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) says that:

I seek forgiveness more than 70 times a day

There are also narrations in Abu Dawud and Nasai’ which, if I am correct, asks for 100 times a day.

Please classify if the narrations in Abu Dawud and Nasai’ are also Sahih? 

I understand that we should do istighfar as many times as possible, but when wanting to practice on the above, which number should I adhere to?

Answer

The Hadith of Sunan Abi Dawud and Nasai is authentic.

The mention of 100 times istighfar is also found in a Hadith of Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6799.

There is no contradiction between these Hadiths, since the narration in Bukhari states: “…more than 70 times” It doesn’t specify how much more. The Hadith in Sahih Muslim and the Sunan have specified that “more” to be: 100. Therefore reciting istighfar 100 times is in accordance with sunnah too.

Note: Some Hadiths mention that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite istighfar exactly 70 times. These are also correct, and will be understood to be on a different occasion. One could practice either of the 2, although 100 will be better for obvious reasons.

Reference for the above: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6307

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

صحيح مسلم:
(٦٧٩٩) = (٢٧٠٢) – حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة، حدثنا غندر، عن شعبة، عن عمرو بن مرة، عن أبي بردة، قال: سمعت الأغر، وكان من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، يحدث ابن عمر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «يا أيها الناس! توبوا إلى الله، فإني أتوب، في اليوم، إليه مائة، مرة».

فتح الباري:
(٦٣٠٧) – قوله: «أكثر من سبعين مرة» وقع في حديث أنس: «إني لأستغفر الله في اليوم سبعين مرة» فيحتمل أن يريد المبالغة، ويحتمل أن يريد العدد بعينه.