Question:
Is the following Hadith suitable to quote?
ألا أدلكم على دائكم ودوائكم، ألا إن داءكم الذنوب، ودواؤكم الاستغفار
Answer:
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and has declared [narrators in the chain] unknown (بإسناد مجهول).
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 6746)
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration as the statement of Qatadah (rahimahullah).
Qatadah (rahimahullah) said: “The Quran shows you the sickness as well as the cure. The sickness is your sins and the cure is seeking forgiveness [istighfar].”
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 6745)
‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) has indicated towards the weakness of the first version and states that the second version (i.e. the statement of Qatadah) seems to be more correct.
(Targhib, vol. 2 pg. 468)
The narration should therefore be quoted as the statement of Qatadah (rahimahullah).
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar