Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) reports: “The person who recites this eighty times on Friday after Asr Namaaz, before standing up from his place, eighty years of his sins forgiven by Allah, and eighty years of worship be written for him.
HADITH RECORDED IN JAME SAGEER ON THE AUTHORITY OF ABU HURAIRAH
Is this true?  Can you please give me the chain of narrators and tell me how it may be weak.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

There is another hadith, which Imam Sakhawi (RA) has mentioned that Saaiduna Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “Whoever recites durud sharif 80 times on the Day of Jumuah 80 years of his sins will be forgiven.” (Fadhail Durud Sharif, Hadhrat Molana Muhammad Zakariyah (RA), p.70)

The hadith which I have mentioned above and the one which is in the question are both weak (not fabricated), but it should be borne in mind that weak narrations are not acceptable only in regards to aqeedah and in establishing Shariah rulings.

Scholars such as Imam Ibn Salah and Imam Nawawi have always stated that there is a leeway in quoting weak hadiths in virtues of acts.  Even Imam Bukhari (RA) brought weak narrations in his book “Al Adabul Mufrad”, indicating that he also accepts weak narrations in regards to virtues of good deeds.

Finally, we should bear in mind that the pious and learned amongst the Ummah cannot be unanimous upon something that is false or not part of Islam. The Prophet of Allah Sullallahu Alahi Wasalam has said:

“Allah (SWA) will not unite the Ummah of Mohammad Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam upon misguidance.  Allah’s help is with the majority.  Whoever deviates from them will be thrown into the fire of Jahannam.”  (Sunan Tirmizi p.39 v.2)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.