Is the Hadith About the Protection Verse by Abdullah bin Abbas Authentic?

Examining the Authenticity of the Hadith on Quranic Protection During Travel

Question: It is said that when Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) would embark on a journey, he would recite a verse of the Quran and encourage others to recite it as well, saying that if you read this verse, you will not face any harm during the journey, and if you do face harm, you can hold me accountable on the Day of Judgment. This statement attributed to Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) says: (Wama qadarullaha haqqa qadrihi wal-ardhu jamee’an qabdhatuhu yawmal qiyamah was-samawatu matwiyyatun biyameenihi subhanahu wata’ala amma yushrikoon) (Az-Zumar: 67). Is this narration authentic?

Answer: Imam Tabarani narrates a hadith from Ibn Abbas (RA) in which the Prophet (ﷺ) said that these words offer protection from drowning when boarding a ship or traveling by sea:

They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!” (Az-Zumar: 67), along with the verse: “And he [Nuh (Noah)] said: “Embark therein, in the Name of Allah will be its moving course and its resting anchorage. Surely, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Hud: 41).

This hadith is mentioned in Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat by Tabarani and Musnad Al-Firdaws by Daylami. However, Tabarani himself mentions that only Nahshal bin Sa’id narrates this hadith from Dhahhak bin Muzahim, implying that this hadith is weak because Nahshal bin Sa’id is a rejected narrator, as confirmed by Haythami in Majma’ Al-Zawa’id.

In summary, this hadith is weak, and I have not come across the specific wording mentioned in your question. In fact, the phrase “if harm befalls you, you can take it up with me on the Day of Judgment” is clearly false. Such a statement cannot be attributed to the Prophet (ﷺ) or any of his companions. This appears to be a fabrication spread by a certain group of people. 

In fact, this was popularized by Maulana Yunus Palanpuri, a Sufi scholar who frequently shares supplications on social media. He is known for innovating such rituals, and it is advised to avoid following these baseless practices.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail