Question
People have been saying that when one returns home from having completed Haj or ‘Umrah, their dua’s are accepted for forty days. I have never come across this before and am questioning its authenticity. Please can you enlighten me on this matter?
Answer
I have come across the following narrations regarding the du’as of a haji:
1) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When you meet a haji then greet him, shake hands with him and ask him to seek forgiveness on your behalf before he enters his home, for verily he is forgiven”
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2 pg. 69 with a weak chain. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4 pg. 16)
2) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“O Allah, forgive the sins of the haji and forgive the sins of the one for whom the haji seeks forgiveness”
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 441, Sahih ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 2516, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3817)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has authenticated the above Hadith and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs with him.
3) Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says:
“The haji will be forgiven, and all those whom the haji seeks forgiveness on behalf of, for the remainder of Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, Safar until the tenth of Rabi’ul Awwal.”
(Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 12800 with a weak chain. Refer; footnotes of Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah. Also see Al Ajwibatul Mardiyyah, vol. 1 pg. 61)
Note: I have not come across a narration which specifically states the Haji’s du’a being accepted for forty days, nor have I come across a narration which states that the du’as of one returning from ‘Umrah are accepted for forty days.
The last narration I cited, mentions that the Haji’s du’a for forgiveness is accepted till the 10th of Rabi’ul Awwal, which is approximately 90 days from the day of ‘Arafah.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar