The hadeeth about saying “Allaahumma ajirni min al-naar” seven times

 

Has it beem authentically narrated that one should say 'allahumma ajirni min annar', seven times after fajr and maghrib prayers?.

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

This hadeeth was narrated by Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad,
17362, and by Abu Dawood, 5079. The hadeeth is as follows: 

It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “When you pray Fajr, then say before speaking to
any of the people, ‘Allaahumma ajirni min al-naar (O Allaah, protect
me from the Fire)’ seven times. Then if you die on that day, Allaah will
grant you protection from the Fire. And when you pray Maghrib, then say
before speaking to any of the people, ‘Allaahumma inni as’aluka
al-jannah, Allaahumma ajirni min al-naar (O Allaah, I ask You for
Paradise, O Allaah, protect me from the Fire)’ seven times. Then if you die
that night, Allaah will grant you protection from the Fire.” 

Two things may be noted about the hadeeth. 

1.    
It does not say that this
du’aa’ is to be said after ‘Isha’, as mentioned in the question.

2.    
The hadeeth is not saheeh in
its narration from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). See al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah
have mercy on him), 1624. 

Based on this, it is not mustahabb to recite this du’aa’
after Fajr and Maghrib prayers. 

3.    
It was narrated that Anas (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever asks Allaah for
Paradise three times, Paradise will say, ‘O Allaah, admit him
to Paradise.’ Whoever seeks protection from the Fire three times, Hell will
say, ‘O Allaah, protect him from the Fire.’” 

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2572; Ibn Maajah, 4340. This is a
saheeh hadeeth; it was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah
have mercy on him) in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6275). 

But there is nothing to state that this should be recited in
conjunction with any particular prayer, or at any particular time. 

It is mustahabb for the believer to ask Allaah for Paradise a
great deal, and to seek protection from Hell a great deal, without saying
such words in conjunction with any particular prayer, or at any particular
time.

 And Allaah knows best.