33/57. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3817 — Istighfar After Harsh Speech
Seeking Forgiveness
Hadith About Istighfar and Family Speech: Seeking Forgiveness 70 Times Daily
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3817
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3817
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، قَالَ كَانَ فِي لِسَانِي ذَرَبٌ عَلَى أَهْلِي وَكَانَ لاَ يَعْدُوهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَقَالَ " أَيْنَ أَنْتَ مِنَ الاِسْتِغْفَارِ تَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ فِي الْيَوْمِ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً " .
Hudhaifa Narrated from:
I was harsh in the way I spoke to my family, but not to others. I mentioned that to the Prophet (saas) and he said: 'Why don't you ask for forgiveness? Ask Allah to forgive you, seventy times each day.'
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3817In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 161English translation : Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3817
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3817
This hadith connects istighfar with a real personal struggle. Hudhaifah said he was harsh in the way he spoke to his family, though not to others. He mentioned this to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied by directing him to seek forgiveness, saying he should ask Allah to forgive him seventy times each day. The hadith stays focused on the issue mentioned: harsh speech toward family and the remedy of seeking forgiveness. It does not give a long list of family rulings. It gives a direct spiritual response. This hadith about istighfar reminds us that when a person notices a fault in speech, turning to Allah in forgiveness is part of the response.
What we learn from this hadith
- Hudhaifah honestly mentioned his harsh speech toward his family.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم directed him to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
- Daily istighfar was given as a response to a personal fault.
