Ibrahim ibn Muhammad is Ibn Abi Yahya al-Madani. Al-Shafi‘i deemed him reliable, but a number of leading scholars graded him weak, and some even abandoned his narrations altogether. Ibn ʿUqda said, “His hadith are not objectionable,” and Ibn ʿAdi remarked, “He is just as Ibn ʿUqda described.”

Al-Hakim related this report in his al-Mustadrak as supporting evidence, voiced no criticism of it, and al-Dhahabi endorsed his judgment. If it is then argued: “Haytham ibn Ayyub is trustworthy according to al-Nasaʾi, and he has added the mention of a surah along with the Opening Chapter, and an addition from a trustworthy narrator is acceptable,”

the answer is that this is an anomalous addition, for it conflicts with the versions transmitted by Shuʿbah, Sufyan, and al-Shafi‘i—each of whom is more reliable, precise, and eminent than Haytham ibn Ayyub. Consequently, reliance in the hadith of Ibn ʿAbbas (may Allah be pleased with him) is upon their narrations, not upon what contradicts them. Allah knows best.