Question
What is the status of the Hadith:
“One day’s fever expiates a year’s worth of sin.”
Answer
This is recorded by Imam Qudha’i (rahimahullah) in his Kitab; Ash-Shihab, hadith: 62 on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu’anhu) as part of a longer Hadith on fever.
This Hadith is declared sound (hasan) by ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah)
(Mukhtasar Maqasidul Hasanah, hadith:393 . Also see Maqasidul Hasanah, hadith: 421 & Sharhul ihya, vol.9 pg.526)
Note: Generally Hadiths like the above refer to the expiation of the minor sins. For forgiveness for the major sins, one needs to do sincere tawbah.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar