Question
Is the du’a of Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) which he recited for protection authentic? He was told that his house was burning and he said that it cannot be burning because I read the du’a. The du’a is
اللهم أنت ربي لا إله إلا أنت، عليك توكلت، وأنت رب العرش الكريم، ما شاء الله كان وما لم يشأ لم يكن، لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم، أعلم أن الله على كل شيء قدير، وأن الله قد أحاط بكل شيء علماً، اللهم إني أعوذ بك من شر نفسي ومن شر كل دابة أنت آخذٌ بناصيتها، إن ربي على صراط مستقيم
Answer
Imam Tabarani and Imam Ibnus Sunni (rahimahumallah) have recorded the Hadith in question.
(Kitabud Du’a, Hadith: 343 and ‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 58)
This Hadith has been transmitted with a very weak chain. Imam Bukhari, Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahumallah) and others have deemed a particular narrator very weak.
(Refer: Nataijul Afkar, vol. 2 pg. 426)
Imam Ibnus Sunni (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration which goes through Imam Harith ibn Abi Usamah. However this narration has slight variation in the wording of the du’a and does not mention the Sahabi as being Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith as weak.
(Bughyatul Bahith, Hadith: 1052, ‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 59, Nataijul Afkar, vol. 2 pg. 428 & Al-Matalibul ‘Aliyah, hadith: 3400)
This Hadith is suitable for practice.
(Also see: Footnotes of ‘Allamah Al Muhaddith Habibur Rahman Al A’azami on Al Matalibul ‘Aaliyah, vol. 3 pg. 251, Al Adhkar of ‘Allamah Nawawi, Hadith: 238 and Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1052)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar