Please clarify the authenticity of the following Hadith and is it suitable to quote?
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ما من دعاء أحب إلى الله من أن يقول العبد: اللهم ارحم أمة محمد رحمة عامة – الخطيب عن أبي هريرة
Answer
This Hadith has been declared a fabrication by the Muhaddithun. It is therefore not suitable to quote. See here.
The version of the Hadith in question which you have cited from Tarikh Baghdad, on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is also unreliable as the same problematic narrator appears in the chain.
(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 7 pg. 91. Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 2 pg. 524, number: 4750)
Translation
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“There is no du’a more beloved to Allah than a person saying, ‘O Allah! Have mercy on the ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), a widespread all encompassing mercy.”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar