Q: I received the following message today regarding a particular Istighfar that should be read in Rajab and Sha’ban. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it. Is there any basis to it, is it authentic ?
‘Whoever recites in Rajab or sha’ban the following istighfar 7 times a day, Allah will send a message to the angels who write down his deeds, to tear apart his book of sins’
Astaghfirullahal azimil ladhi la ilaha illa huwal hayyul qayyumu wa atubu ilayhi tawbata ‘abdin zalimin linafsihi la yamliku li nafsihi mawtan wala hayatan wa la nushura
A: The narration you are querying has been mentioned in some ‘non hadith’ books without a chain of narrators, and therefore I cannot comment it. (refer to: Al-Adab fi Rajab, pg.39)
Narrations like these should first be verified before they are publicized.
Rajab is from the 4 sacred months of the Islamic calendar. (Ash-hurul Hurum)
One should indeed increase all forms of worship in these months, including istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) writes that he heard his seniors reciting istighfar abundantly in Rajab. (Al-Adab fi Rajab, pg.38)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar