the wonders of the number seventy

In this article, we will discuss the recommendations and astonishing properties of the number seventy based on narrations and valuable sayings of the Imams (peace be upon them).

The Worship of Seventy Parts.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Worship consists of seventy parts, the best of which is earning a lawful livelihood.”
He also said: “When someone consumes unlawful wealth, an angel stands over him and seeks forgiveness for him until he stops consuming it. The Prophet said: Avoiding one-sixth of a dirham from unlawful wealth is equivalent to seventy accepted Hajj.”

The Healing of Seventy Illnesses with Asafoetida.
When asked about asafoetida and frankincense, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “No root of asafoetida penetrates the earth, nor does any branch rise towards the sky, except that Allah sends an angel to it until it dries out or meets another fate. Satan distances himself from a house where asafoetida smoke is present, moving away from seventy houses. It is a cure for seventy types of illness, the least of which is leprosy; so do not miss it.”

The Reward of Seventy Times Seeking Forgiveness After Fajr Prayer.
Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness from Allah seventy times after the Fajr prayer, Allah will forgive him, even if he commits seventy thousand sins that day. If someone commits more than seventy thousand sins, there is no good in him. In another narration, it mentions seven hundred sins (which seems more accurate).”

The Astonishing Effect of Reciting Al-Fatiha Seventy Times.
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Fatiha seventy times over their illness, it will be alleviated by God’s will. He also said: “If you recite Surah Al-Fatiha seventy times over a dead person and their soul returns to their body, do not be surprised!” He also said: “Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is a cure for all diseases except death.”

Every Believer Must Cover Seventy Major Sins of Their Fellow Believer.
Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) said: “Every believer is obliged to cover seventy major sins of his fellow believer.”

Seventy Times Seeking Forgiveness Each Day.
It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) would seek forgiveness seventy times a day, saying:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, and I turn to Him.”
A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): How should I repent from sin? The Prophet replied: Say “I seek forgiveness from Allah.” The man said: I repent, but I return to sin. The Prophet said: Whenever you commit a sin, say “I seek forgiveness from Allah.” The man asked: What if my sins increase? The Prophet replied: The forgiveness and mercy of Allah are greater, so always repent until Satan is expelled.

Seventy Prophets Requested the Everlasting Benefit of Honey from Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Allah has placed blessing in honey. It is a remedy for diseases, and seventy prophets have requested the everlasting benefit of honey from Allah.”

Two Rak’ahs of Prayer in Scented Clothes is Better than Seventy Rak’ahs without Scent.
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Two rak’ahs prayed in scented clothes are better than seventy rak’ahs prayed without scent.”

Two Rak’ahs of Prayer by a Married Person is Better than Seventy Rak’ahs by a Single Person.
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Two rak’ahs prayed by a married person are better than seventy rak’ahs prayed by a single person.”

Covering a Good Deed to Avoid Showing Off is Equivalent to Seventy Good Deeds!
Imam Reza (peace be upon him) said: “Concealing a good deed to avoid showing off is equivalent in reward to seventy good deeds and will result in the forgiveness of revealed sins.”

The Reward of Seventy Times Seeking Forgiveness Each Day of Sha’ban.
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever says seventy times each day in the month of Sha’ban:
‘I seek forgiveness from Allah, there is no deity except Him, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,’ his name will be written in the clear horizon.”
The narrator asked: What is the clear horizon? The Imam replied: It is a plain before the Divine Throne, with flowing streams and cups numbered like the stars.

Surah Al-Mu’min is a Cure for Seventy Types of Illnesses.
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Surah Al-Mu’min is a cure for seventy types of illnesses.”

Healing of Seventy Illnesses with Salt!
Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) told Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him): ‘O Ali! Start your food with salt and end with salt, for there is a cure for seventy illnesses in it, the simplest of which is leprosy.'”