Hadiths Encouraging Tasbih and Istighfar
Numerous hadiths in the Sunnah emphasize the importance of tasbih (glorification of Allah) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness). Here are a few noteworthy examples:
- According to Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Increase your recitation of the lasting good deeds.” It was asked, “What are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “That is the Religion.” They inquired again, “What is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “It is to proclaim the greatness of Allah, to declare His oneness, to glorify, and to praise Him. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.”
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Take your shield from the fire by saying: ‘Subhan Allah,’ ‘Alhamdulillah,’ ‘La ilaha illallah,’ and ‘Allahu Akbar.’ For these words will come on the Day of Judgment as precedents, companions, and shields, and they are among the lasting good deeds.”
- Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Repent to Allah, for I repent to Him one hundred times a day.”
Hadiths on the Virtue of Tasbih
There are many hadiths that highlight the benefits of tasbih. Here are some key examples:
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says: ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdiH’ one hundred times in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they were as abundant as the foam of the sea.”
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: “Two statements are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale, and beloved to the Most Merciful: ‘Subhan Allah al-Azim’ and ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdiH.’
Hadiths on the Virtue of Tasbih on Fridays
One hadith discusses the significance of tasbih on Fridays. It is as follows:
- According to Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever prays ten rak’ahs on Friday before the Imam arrives, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in each rak’ah and saying ‘Ameen’ at the end, and reciting ‘Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad’ ten times at the beginning of each rak’ah, then follows that by saying: ‘Subhan Allah,’ ‘Alhamdulillah,’ ‘La ilaha illallah,’ ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah,’ and asks Allah for anything thereafter, he will be granted it.”
Hadiths on the Virtue of Istighfar
Numerous hadiths in the Sunnah emphasize the merits of istighfar. Here are a few significant examples:
- According to Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated: “Allah, the Exalted, said: ‘O son of Adam! As long as you invoke Me and seek hope from Me, I will forgive you for whatever you have done, and I do not care. O son of Adam! If your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and you then sought forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you without care. O son of Adam! If you approach Me with enough sins to fill the earth but meet Me without associating anything with Me, I would grant you a similar amount of forgiveness.’
- Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever remains steadfast in seeking forgiveness, Allah will provide him with a way out of every constriction, and will provide him with relief from every worry, and will provide sustenance from where he does not expect.”
Hadiths on the Virtue of Istighfar After Prayer
Several hadiths highlight the importance of seeking forgiveness after prayers. Here are some notable examples:
- According to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no servant of Allah who commits a sin and then performs ablution and prays two rak’ahs seeking forgiveness, except that he will be forgiven.”
- Abu Al-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) relayed: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: ‘Whoever performs ablution and does so thoroughly, then stands to pray two or four rak’ahs with proper bowing and humility, then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will be forgiven.’ In another narration, he said: ‘Then he prays two or four rak’ahs whether they are obligatory or voluntary, performing the bowing and prostration well.’