There is a hadeeth (prophetic narration) which says, “Whoever prays four rak’ahs on Saturday night, reciting in each rak’ah the Opening of the Book [al-Fatihah] once, and Qul Huwwa Allahu Ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas] twenty-five times, Allah will forbid his body to the Fire.” Is this hadeeth saheeh (authentic) or not?


Praise be to Allah.

This
hadeeth is fabricated. It was quoted by al-Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on
him) in al-Fawaid al-Majmoo’ah fi’l-Ahadeeth al-Mawdoo’ah (p.44), as quoted
in the question. He said: It was narrated by al-Jawzaqani from Anas (may
Allah be pleased with him) in a marfoo’ report (i.e. attributed to the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)). But it is mawdoo’
(fabricated), and the men of its isnad (chain of narrators) are either
majhool (unknown) or matrook (rejected). 

Prayer at
night is mustahabb (recommended) on all days, and is not restricted to what
is mentioned in this fabricated hadeeth.  

Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Their
sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they
spend (in charity in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them.

No person
knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to
do.”

[32:16-17] 

“Verily,
the Muttaqoon (the pious) will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in
the Paradise),

Taking joy
in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this
Muhsinoon (good-doers).

They used
to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with
fear and hope].

And in the
hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.”
[51:15-18] 

Al-Tirmithi (3549) narrated from Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him)
that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“I urge you to pray qiyam al-layl (the optional night prayer), because that
was the habit of the righteous who came before you; it will bring you closer
to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds and keep you away from sin.” 

Classed as
hasan (sound) by al-Albani in Irwa al-Ghaleel, 452. 

And Allah
knows best.