Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Asalamu Alaikum,
I have heard many times that anyone who says “Allahuma Ajirna min an-nar” seven times after Fajr and Maghreb salaat will not be touched by the fire of Jahanam. I was recently told, however, that this is based on a fabricated hadith and is completely untrue and so I just wanted to seek some confirmation of this.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you in the best of health and spirits, insha’Allah.
This supplication (dua) is established from the practice of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) as mentioned by Imam Nawawi in his Adhkar.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,”When you finish the Maghrib prayer, say ‘O Allah, save me from the Fire’ (Allahumma ajirni min al-nar) seven times. If you do so and then die that night, you will be granted protection from the Fire. And do likewise after the Fajr prayer, and if you die during the day, you will be granted protection from the Fire.” [Abu Dawud]
This tradition (hadith) has some weakness, but it is certainly not fabricated.
What does ‘ajirni’ mean?
The author of the brilliant commentary of Suyuti’s al-Jami` al-Saghir called `Abd al-Ra’uf al-Munawi explains that the aforementioned ‘ajirni’ means to ‘make me safe’. It can also mean to ‘rescue me’ or to ‘deliver me’ from something. And other commentators have similar explanations. [Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir; Abadi, `Awn al-Ma`bud]
Why after Fajr and Maghrib?
Legally, the day and night begin from Fajr and Maghrib respectively. This is likely to be the reason why these two times were singled out by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Reciting the supplication at Fajr would give you the protection during the day, and reciting it at Maghrib would give you protection throughout the night.
Why Seven Times?
As an added point of benefit, Ibn `Allan comments that perhaps the reason why seven times was specifically mentioned is due to the existence of seven doors to the Fire or its seven levels. [Ibn `Allan, al-Futuhat al-Rabbaniyya `ala al-Adhkar al-Nawawiyya]
See also: Kissing the Thumbs During the Adhan
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani