Question
Is the following Hadith suitable to quote?
ألا أدلكم على دائكم ودوائكم، ألا إن داءكم الذنوب، ودواؤكم الاستغفار
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and has declared [narrators in the chain] unknown (بإسناد مجهول).
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 6746)
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration as the statement of Qatadah (rahimahullah).
Qatadah (rahimahullah) said: “The Quran shows you the sickness as well as the cure. The sickness is your sins and the cure is seeking forgiveness [istighfar].”
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 6745)
‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) has indicated towards the weakness of the first version and states that the second version (i.e., the statement of Qatadah) seems to be more correct.
(Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 468)
The narration should therefore be quoted as the statement of Qatadah (rahimahullah).
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar