(6/234), and by Muslim (7/135), although his version does not contain the words, “and they would play with me.” Thus, the wording in the book, “he was pleased at their coming,” is a corruption of “he would send them in”—that is, he would send them to her! This is an old textual error, for it also appeared in this form in the second edition of the book, p. 76.

It was also narrated in abridged form by Abū Dāwūd (4931) and Ibn Mājah (1982), and in full by al-Humaydī in his Musnad (260).

129 – According to another narration, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, once asked her, “What is this?” She replied, “My daughters.” He asked, “And what is this among them?” She replied, “A horse.” He asked, “And what is that upon it?” She replied, “Two wings.” He exclaimed, “A horse with two wings?!” She replied, “Have you not heard that Solomon, son of David, had horses with wings?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, laughed until his molar teeth became visible. (Abū Dāwūd.) p. 103

Authentic. Its sources are given in Ādāb al-Zifāf (Wedding Etiquette) (p. 171).

130 – (It is reported in the hadith that Gabriel, peace be upon him, declined to enter the Messenger’s house, peace and blessings be upon him, because there was a statue at the door of his house. Nor did he enter the following day until he said to him, “Order that the statue’s head be cut off so that it becomes like the form of a tree.”

Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasāʾī, al-Tirmidhī, and Ibn Hibbān. It will appear in full under Iqtināʿ al-Kilāb (Keeping Dogs).) p. 103

Authentic. Its sources are given in Ādāb al-Zifāf (Wedding Etiquette) (pp. 109–116). The wording is that of Abū Dāwūd. The author has abridged it here and will cite it there in full, as promised, at no. (146).