Conclusion:
Question

Can one practice on the famous hadith of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه [Hadith B], which Sakhawi ascribed to Ibn Bashkuwaal?

In other words, is it permissible to sit and recite:

[اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا],

80 times after Asr salat on Friday?

Answer:

Based on the information presented above, scholars may view the issue differently:

Some scholars would state, we do not know the chain of narration so we are unable to classify it. The hadith of Abu Hurairah, collected by Darqutni in ‘Al-Afraad’ [Hadith A], has four extremely weak narrators and the hadith of Anas, collected by Khatib [Hadith E], is extremely weak or even fabricated. Therefore, it is not permissible to act on this hadith in any manner.

Some would say, use the narration which Ibnun Nu’maan graded as sound (hasan) [Hadith D], instead of the famous narration of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه [Hadith B].

A third angle would be to view the issue within the scope of practices permitted, encouraged or emphasized in Shariah. That is to say that the hadith is encouraging to send salaat was salaam (durood) in abundance to the Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم on a Friday. This is already an established e’badah. One may recite any number of durood, using any wording of durood at any time on Friday. A person may fix a specific amount he wishes to recite, stipulate the time he wants to read it and choose a particular wording. Or he may use the Hadith [A] as a guide in this matter. An analysis of the words of the hadith will reveal what virtues, restrictions and wording it uses. We will pinpoint which aspects may be used as a guide and which aspects one should be cautious about.

“The one who performs the Asr prayer on the day of Jumuah, and then says before he stands from his place, ‘[اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا] eighty (80) times, his sins of eighty (80) years will be forgiven, and eighty (80) years of worship will be written for him.”

There are seven (7) points in this hadith:

1. Recite on Friday
2. Recite after Asr (on Friday)
3. Recite before one stands
4. Recite eighty times
5. Use the words [اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا]
6. Eighty years of sins forgiven
7. Eighty years of rewards written.

Let us see which one of these points are supported by other narrations.

1. Recite on Friday:

• It is established in many narrations that it is Sunnah to recite abundant salaat was salaam (durood) on Fridays. Here we will suffice on one narration. Aws ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Of your best days is Friday. On it, Adam was created; and on it his (soul) was taken; and on it is the blowing (of the Trumpet); and on it is the Swoon. Therefore, increase in sending your Salaat upon me, for your Salaat upon me are presented to me.”
• Collected by Abu Dawud in his ‘Sunan’ [#1047] and Ibn Hibban in his ‘Sahih’ [#910]
• Therefore, this part of the hadith is supported.

2. Recite after Asr (on Friday)

• Even though there is no other specific authentic narration, in our knowledge, which states to send durood after Asr on a Friday, it is still virtuous to utilize this time in durood based on the following general nusoos (divine text).
• There are many verses of the Quran Majid which command us to remember Allah Ta’ala at this time. We will suffice on one verse. Allah Ta’ala says, “Glorify the praises of your Rabb in the evening and morning.” {Surah Ghaafir :55}
  • Ibnul Qaiyyim Al-Jawziyah has explained that sending salutations on the Nabi ﷺ also comes under the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala in his book on durood, ‘Jilaa-ul Afhaam’ [Pg.368].
• There is a sound hadith which encourages us to send salutation on the Messenger ﷺ in the mornings and evenings. Abu Dardaa رضي الله عنه relates that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever sends salaat on me in the morning ten times and in the evening ten times, he will acquire my intercession on the Day of Qiyamah.”
  • Collected by Tabarani. Hafidh Haithami states, “The narrators of one of its chains are good.” [Majmauz Zawaaid10 Pg.120]
• Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) talked about Friday and said, “There is an opportune time on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.” And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. [Bukhari #935]
  • The most famous opinion is that this special time is after Asr till Sunset and many scholars adopted this view. [See Fathul Baari 3 Pg. 218-228]
• Salaat was Salaam can also be used as a substitute of dua at this time. Ubayy said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Indeed, I say very much Salaat (durood) for you. How much of my Salaat (durood) should I make for you?’ He said: ‘As you wish.’ [He said:] ‘I said: ‘A fourth?’ He said: ‘As you wish. But if you add more it would be better for you.’ I said, ‘Then half?’ He said: ‘As you wish. And if you add more it would be better [for you].’” [He said:] “I said: ‘Then two-thirds?’ He said: ‘As you wish, but if you add more it would be better for you.’” I said: “Should I make all of my Salaat (durood) for you?’ He said: ‘Then your problems would be solved and your sins would be forgiven.’”
  • Collected by Tirmidhi [#2457] and he said it is sound authentic.

3. Recite before one stands:

• We have not found any narration with this restriction. Therefore, one may stand up and recite it while they are walking or after they have attended another task. The opportunity to recite durood after Asr on a Friday will not be considered missed. And Allah knows best.

4. Recite eighty times:

• As for the number 80, then since we do not know the chain of Hadith [B] and its status, it would not be correct to believe that this number carries any significance based on this narration.
• However, there are two other narrations which mention this number. One is general without any specific wording of the Durood mentioned, while the other has another wording of a Durood They are:

1. Hadith [A]: “Salaat (Salutations/Durood) upon me is a light on the Siraat (Bridge). The one who sends salaat upon me on the day of Friday eighty (80) times, his sins of eighty (80) years will be forgiven.”

• Hafidh Suyuti gave this narration a place in his ‘Jame’us Sagheer’. Hafidh Sakhawi graded this narration weak, while, Hafidh Ibn Hajr classified it extremely weak, as discussed above.
• If one was to take the opinion of those who consider it weak, but strong enough to mention as a virtue, then it would be correct to hope for significance in the number 80. Since this hadith is general, it would apply to any wording of durood.
• On the other hand, if the opinion of it being extremely weak was taken, then belief in the significance of the number 80 would be incorrect. And Allah knows best.

1. Hadith [D] “The one who sends salaat upon me on the day of Jumuah eighty (80) times, eighty (80) years of his sins will be forgiven.” It was said, O Messenger of Allah, what is the method of the Salaat upon you? He replied, “Say: [اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَنَبِيِّكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ النَّبِّيِ الْأُمِّيِّ] and count that as one.”

• As discussed above, Abu Abdillah ibn Nu’maan classified this narration as sound. However, Sakhawi said, it needs more scrutiny. A similar narration [Hadith E] was classified extremely weak by Ibnul Jawzi and a fabrication by Zahabi.
• There was also the issue of whether Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was on this hadith or was it for Hadith [A]?
• If one takes the opinion that Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was for Hadith [D], then it would be correct to believe that there is a significance in reciting these words of durood 80 times.
• However, if Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was not for this hadith and/or one takes the opinion of Ibnul Jawzi and Zahabi, then it would be incorrect to believe in the significance in the number 80. There is more caution in this stance. And Allah knows best.

N.B. Nonetheless, 80 is a large number. Therefore, reciting any durood in that amount will come under the authentically encouraged abundance of durood for Fridays.

5. Use the words [اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا]

• The established hadith of abundantly sending salutations on the Nabi ﷺ on Fridays do not specify any particular words of durood. One may use any wordings.
• Therefore, one can use the words [اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِنِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَسَلِّمْ تَسْلِيْمًا] which are quoted in the famous narration of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه [Hadith B].

6. Eighty years of sins forgiven:

• This is an issue of belief. The principle is that firm belief in a particular virtue for a particular action must be substantiated by authentic or sound narrations. If the narration is slightly weak then we can still hope for the virtue. However, if it is extremely weak, then to believe in the virtue mentioned, would not be correct.
• Since we do not know the chain of Hadith [B] and its status, it would not be correct to believe in the virtue promised in it.
• However, there are two other narrations which mention this virtue. One is general without any specific wording of the Durood mentioned, while the other has another wording of a Durood

1. Hadith [A]: “Salaat (Salutations/Durood) upon me is a light on the Siraat (Bridge). The one who sends salaat upon me on the day of Friday eighty (80) times, his sins of eighty (80) years will be forgiven.”

• Suyuti gave this narration a place in his ‘Jame’us Sagheer’. Sakhawi graded this narration weak, while, Ibn Hajr classified it extremely weak, as discussed above.
• If one was to take the opinion of those who consider it weak, but strong enough to mention as a virtue, then it would be correct to hope for the virtue mentioned. Since this hadith is general, it would apply to any wording of durood.
• On the other hand, if the opinion of it being extremely weak was taken then belief in this virtue of forgiveness, based solely on this hadith, would be incorrect. And Allah knows best.

1. Hadith [D]: “The one who sends salaat upon me on the day of Jumuah eighty (80) times, eighty (80) years of his sins will be forgiven.” It was said, O Messenger of Allah, what is the method of the Salaat upon you? He replied, “Say: [اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَنَبِيِّكَ وَرَسُوْلِكَ النَّبِّيِ الْأُمِّيِّ] and count that as one.”

• As discussed above, Abu Abdillah ibn Nu’maan classified this narration as sound. However, Sakhawi said, it needs more scrutiny. A similar narration [Hadith E] was classified extremely weak by Ibnul Jawzi and a fabrication by Zahabi.
• There was also the issue of if Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was on this hadith or was it for Hadith [A]?
• If one takes the opinion that Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was for Hadith [D], then it would be correct to believe that one will reap the virtue mentioned in the hadith if one recited those words 80 times.
• However, if Ibn Nu’maan’s classification was not for this hadith and/or one takes the opinion of Ibnul Jawzi and Zahabi, then it would be incorrect to believe in the virtue of eighty years of sins being forgiven as mentioned in narration [D] and [E]. There is more caution in this stance. And Allah knows best.

7. Eighty years of rewards written.

• We have not found this virtue in any other narration. Therefore, it would be incorrect to believe that one will gain rewards of eighty years, based on this narration alone. And Allah knows best.