What is the authenticity of the following narration?
The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When you pray Fajr, say seven times before speaking, اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْني مِنَ النَّار “ ‘O Allah, protect me from the Fire.’ If you die on that day, Allah will write for you protection from the Fire. When you pray Maghrib, say seven times before speaking, ‘O Allah, protect me from the Fire.”
If you die that night, Allah will write for you protection from the Fire.
ANSWER
Imam Abu Dawud and Imam Ahmad (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration. Hafiz Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has recorded a longer version of this narration.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 5039, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 234 and Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 2022. Also see Al Hisnul Hasin, pg. 84)
Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith as authentic (sahih) and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has classified the Hadith as sound (hasan)
(Nataijul Afkar, vol. 2 pg. 326)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala