Is the following Hadith authentic?
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not.”
Answer
Imams Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah (rahimahumallah) and others have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1518, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3819)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared the above Hadith as sound (hasan)
(Al Amalil Mutlaqah, pg. 251. Also see Hidayatur Ruwat, vol. 2 pg. 448, Hadith: 2278)
This Hadith is further supported by numerous verses of the Holy Quran which explain the benefits of istighfar. Among them are the following:
1) Then I said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Rabb. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send torrential rain, increase your wealth and children and provide you with gardens and rivers’
(Surah Nuh. Verses: 10-12)
2) ‘Seek forgiveness from your Rabb and repent to Him, He will grant you good provision, for an appointed term’
(Surah Hud. Verse: 3)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar