Question: There is a hadith that mentions calling upon certain angels to help one find something you have lost. What is the hadith exactly and is it authentic?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
There are a number of very similar hadiths to this effect with varying levels of authenticity in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, Musnad Ahmad, Musnad al Bazzar, al Mujam al Kabir of Tabarani, and Shuab al Iman by Bayhaqi.
One such narration is found in al Mujam al Kabir of Tabarani and it translates as follows:
If anyone loses something or needs help while he is alone in the wilderness, let him say, ‘O slaves of Allah, help me! O slaves of Allah, help me!’ because Allah actually has slaves that we cannot see.’
The hadith backed up with its various versions and chains of transmission are sound (hasan) (Majma al Zawaid, Haythami; al Futuhat al Rabbaniyya, Ibn Allan).
Tabarani adds at the end of the hadith that this has been tried and tested. Imam Ahmad and Imam Nawawi also mention that they applied the hadith and it worked (Kitab al Adhkar, Nawawi; Masail al Imam Ahmad bi riwayat ibnihi Abdillah, Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal).
I pray this helps.
[Ustadh] Farid
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language