The intercession of Hell and Paradise for the slaves of al-Rahmaan

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

<<ما استجار عبد من النار سبع مرات في يوم إلا قالت النار : يا رب إن عبدك فلانا قد استجارك مني فأجره ، و لا يسأل الله عبد الجنة في يوم سبع مرات إلا قالت الجنة : يا رب ! إن عبدك فلانا سألني فأدخله الجنة>>

“No servant seeks (Allaah’s) refuge from the (Hell) Fire, seven times in a day, except that the Fire says: ‘O my Lord! Your servant so-and-so has sought Your refuge from me, so give him refuge.’ And no servant asks Allaah for the Paradise, seven times in a day, except that the Paradise says: ‘O my Lord! Your servant so-and-so seeks me, so let him enter the Paradise.’”

[Narrated by Abu Yu`laa (4/1472-1473). Al-Dhiyaa’-uddeen al-Maqdasee in Sifat al-Jannah, al-Mundhiree in al-Targheeb, and Ibn al-Qayyim, all graded this Hadeeth as “Saheeh” as per the conditions of Shaikhain (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). Ibn Katheer also said it is “Saheeh” as per the condition of Imaam Muslim. Shaikh al-Albaanee also graded it as “Saheeh” in al-Saheehah (2506)]

Benefit:

Shaikh al-Albaanee رحمه الله said: “Some of the people in Damascus and other than them have used the Tasbeeh (words of remembrance) mentioned in this Hadeeth, and say it out loudly and with one voice (i.e. together in congregation) after the Fajr prayer, and for which I do not know of any basis in the pure Sunnah.

And it not right for them (to do this), on the basis of this Hadeeth, firstly, because (this act) is not restricted to the Fajr prayer only, (rather) it is unrestricted; (secondly), nor (is it limited to be done) in a congregation.

And it is not permissible for them to restrict that which the All-Wise Legislator (Allaah) has made unrestricted, in the same way as it is not permissible for them to derestrict that which He تعالى had restricted. All that which has been legislated is exclusive to the All-Knowing, the All-Wise (to legislate).

So, whosoever wishes to act upon this Hadeeth, then let him act upon it at any time of the night or the day; before the prayer or after it. And this is following the Sunnah, and (it should be done) with sincerity. (We pray that) Allaah تبارك وتعالى enable us to do that.

As for the Hadeeth: “If you have prayed the Fajr, then say before you speak (to others): ‘O Allaah! Free me from the Fire’ seven times.” This Hadeeth is Dha`eef (weak) as I have explained it in al-Dha`eefah (1624), so do not be deceived by the one who has graded it as “Hasan”, because it is a slip by a scholar; nor be deceived by a blind follower, for he has no knowledge with him.” [al-Saheehah (2506)]