Q 1: The following is the text of a Hadith ascribed to the Messenger (peace be upon him) in which he is reported to have said, “O `Aly, do not sleep until you have done five things: 1-Reading the entire Qur’an. 2-Giving four thousand Dirhams in charity. 3-Visiting the Ka`bah. 4-Preserving your place in Paradise. 5-Placating your opponent.” `Aly, (may Allah honor his face) said, “How can I do this, O Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Do you not know, O ‘Aly, that if you recite ‘Qul huwa Allaahu ahad’ (i.e. Surah Al-Ikhlas) three times, it is as if you have recited the entire Qur’an. (Part No. 4; Page No. 463) And that if you recite Surah Al-Fatihah four times, it is as if you have given four thousand Dirhams in charity? And that if you say: La ilaha illa-Allah wahdahu la sharika lah lahul-mulk walahul-hamd yuhyi wa yumit wa-huwa ‘alakully shay’in qadir (There is no god but Allah Alone with no partner or associate. His is the Dominion and to Him be praise, He gives life and causes death and He is over all things Omnipotent) ten times, it is as if you have visited the Ka‘bah? And that if you say: La hawla wala quwwata illa Billah Al-‘Aly Al-‘Azhim (There is no power nor might except with Allah, The Most High, The Supreme) ten times, you will preserve your place in paradise? And if you say: Astaghfiru Allaha Al-‘Azhim Al-Ladhi lailaha illa Huwa Al-Hay Al-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness of Allah, the Almighty, beside Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, and I repent to Him) ten times, you will have placated your opponent?” O Eminent Shaykh! Please clarify the Sanad (chain of narrators) of this Hadith and tell us whether it is an authentic Hadith or not.