Is this Hadith authentic?
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever performs wudu and says: ‘Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika ash-hadu al la ilaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayka’
(O Allah, You are pure and all praises are due to You. I bear witness that there is no god besides You. I seek forgiveness from You and I repent to You)
These words will be written on a paper and then sealed. The seal will not be broken till the day of Judgement.
Answer
Imams Hakim and Nasai (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith. Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 564, ‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 81)
This narration is recorded as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) –marfu’an– and as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu) –mawqufan-. Imams Nasai and Daraqutni (rahimahumallah) have stated that the correct version is that this is the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Refer: ‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 81, At Talkhisul Habir, vol. 1 pg. 264, 265 .Also see: Talkhisul Mustadrak of ‘Allamah Dhahabi)
The narration should be quoted as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu), although it will be understood that he did not say this applying his own logic, rather he heard this from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, this Du’a may be labelled as ‘sunnah’.
See the meaning of the last part of the Hadith here.
Arabic text of the du’a
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِك أشهد أَن لَا إِلَه إِلَّا أَنْت استغفرك وَأَتُوب إِلَيْك
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar