(1) The base manuscript reads “and his intercession”; the adopted reading is from manuscripts B and C. (2) Manuscripts B and C read “the matter” in place of “the report.” (3) The phrase “those who know Allah, His names, His attributes, and His due right” is omitted from manuscript C. (4) Manuscript B reads “here.” (5) Manuscript C reads “regarding that which” in place of “in the hadith in which.” (6) Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of the Sunnah, chapter on Divine Decree, 5:75, no. 4699, from Ubayy ibn Kab, Abd Allah ibn Masud, and Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, all attributed to the Companions; and from Zayd ibn Thabit, attributed to the Prophet. (7) Musnad Ahmad, 6:233, no. 21079, with a wording similar to Abu Dawud’s narration. Imam Ahmad also transmitted it through another chain from Zayd ibn Thabit, attributed to the Prophet, 6:237, no. 21101. Ibn Majah also transmitted it in al-Muqaddimah, chapter on Divine Decree, 1:29-30, no. 77. In all these versions, the beginning of the hadith is: “If Allah were to punish …” Al-Albani graded the hadith sahih; see his Takhrij Ahadith al-Tahawiyyah, p. 509. Shuayb al-Arnaut said: “Its chain of transmission is strong.” Sahih Ibn Hibban, al-Takhrij, 2:506, footnote 1. (8) Manuscript C reads “and others” in place of “and Imam Ahmad.” (9) Manuscript C reads “and others” in place of “and Hudhayfah and others.”