Question
Is this Hadith authentic?
“Whoever prays Fajr Salah then recites ‘Qul Huwallahu Ahad’ (Surah Ikhlas) ten times, he will not pursue in sin that day.” (Ibn Asakir)
Answer
Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) passed by some people after Fajr and said that he heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: “Whoever offers Fajr Salah and does not speak to anyone until he recites Surah Ikhlas ten times, will not pursue sin that day and will be protected from Shaytan.”
(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 57 pg. 281)
‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has declared a narrator extremely weak.
(Refer: Kanzul ‘Ummal, Hadith: 3540. Also see: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4 pg. 313, number: 7936)
This narration is also recorded in Fadailul Quran of Ibn Durays, with the following words:
“Whoever recites Surah Ikhlas ten times daily after Fajr, will not fall into sin on that day, even if Shaytan tries his utmost [to lure him to do so].”
(Fadailul Quran, Hadith: 268 and 274. See here)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar