Would Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) seek forgiveness 12 000 times daily?
Answer
Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in his Zuhd with a reliable chain. Imam Abu Nu’aym has also recorded this narration.
(Kitabuz Zuhd; Refer: Al Matalibul ‘Aliyah, Hadith: 4021, Mukhtasar Ithaful Maharah, Hadith: 8120, Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1 pg. 383, Ma’rifatus Sahabah, Hadith: 4762. Also see: Tadhkiratul Huffaz, vol. 1 pg. 35)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) says that Imam Ibn Sa’d (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration which mentions that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) would make tasbih 12 000 times daily.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar has declared the chain authentic.
(Al Isabah, vol. 13 pg. 54. Also see: Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 67 pg. 363. Also see: Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 8 pg. 160)
It is very possible that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) had the habit of doing both recitals mentioned above.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar