I say: This is what al-Mundhirī said in al-Targhīb (3/53), and al-Haythamī followed him in Majma al-Zawāid (5/118). Yet the trustworthiness of the narrators in a chain does not necessarily mean that the chain itself is authentic, as hadith critics are well aware. Trustworthiness is only one of the conditions of authenticity, and the chain may contain a defect that undermines its authenticity, such as a break in transmission, an ambiguous “from” formula, or some other defect.
I came across its chain in Fawāid Tammām, and it became clear that its chain is good. I therefore documented it in al-Sahīhah (2161).
287—(The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: “Avoid the seven destructive sins.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He replied: “Associating partners with Allah, sorcery, killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except by right, consuming usury, consuming an orphan’s property, fleeing on the day of battle, and falsely accusing chaste, unsuspecting believing women of adultery.” Agreed upon.) p. 231
Authentic. It is documented in al-Irwā (2362).
288—(And a hadith states: “Whoever blows upon a knot has practiced sorcery, and whoever practices sorcery has associated partners with Allah.” Al-Nasāī.) p. 231
Weak. Al-Nasāī (2/172) narrated it, as did Ibn Adī in al-Kāmil (q. 2/238), by way of Abbād ibn Maysara al-Minqarī, from al-Hasan, from Abū Hurayra, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever ties a knot and then blows upon it has practiced sorcery; whoever practices sorcery has associated partners with Allah; and whoever hangs something upon himself will be left to it.”
I say: Its chain is weak and has two defects. The first is the break between al-Hasan and Abū Hurayra. Al-Mundhirī declared it defective on this basis in al-Targhīb (3/51), saying: “According to the majority, he did not hear from him.” He overlooked another defect, namely the second: al-Hāfiz said of Abbād ibn Maysara al-Minqarī, “Somewhat weak in hadith.” The final sentence has a corroborating narration that will appear under no. (297).