Is sending the hadith "Whoever says when they go to bed: 'There is no god but Allah...'" daily to colleagues considered an innovation (bid'ah)?
The narration was reported by Ibn Hibban and Ibn As-Sunni from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever says when he goes to his bed: 'There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise, and He is over all things competent. There is no might and no power except with Allah. Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest,' Allah will forgive his sins or his mistakes - Mus'ar was unsure - even if they were like the foam of the sea."
In its chain of narration is Habib ibn Abi Thabit, who was a mudallis (one who conceals defects in a chain of narration). However, Sheikh Al-Albani leaned towards authenticating the narration, preferring the view that his tadlis was minimal and that scholars accept his narrations unless a grave defect becomes apparent, in addition to Shu'bah's narration from him which safeguards against his tadlis. And assuming its weakness, it is a non-egregious weakness that is tolerated in matters of virtuous deeds.
Reminding sisters about this dhikr or other lawful awrad (plural of wird, a regular devotion) does not fall under innovations (bid'ah); rather, it is an invitation to a prescribed action and established Sunnahs. It falls under the general texts that call for reminding and enjoining one another to truth. Allah the Almighty says: "And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers" (Quran 51:55). The specific timing of the reminder is intended for its suitability for the dhikr and its benefit, for the dhikr is tied to its time, not to the reminding itself. The one who reminds should adopt the best methods to avoid boredom or what incites disagreement, and it is preferable to vary and leave a period between one reminder and another to achieve benefit and avoid tedium.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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