that it can validly be cited as evidence on two grounds: first, by combining its transmission routes, though Ibn Khuzaymah did not follow this approach; and second, because written correspondence is established as valid evidence, though Ibn Khuzaymah did not adopt this position.

This is further supported by the fact that the text of the report itself has been transmitted through other routes from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, such as the previously mentioned hadith of Thawbān, which al-Khallāl also narrated. It has also been narrated from Ibn ʿUmar. Al-Khallāl said: Muhammad ibn ʿAwf narrated to us: Abū al-Yamān narrated to us: Abū Mahdī narrated to us, from Abū al-Zahrāyah, from