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