In another narration, the Prophet—peace be upon him—said by way of explanation of this verse: “Indeed, they did not worship them. Rather, whenever they declared something lawful for them, they deemed it lawful; and whenever they declared something forbidden to them, they deemed it forbidden.” (pp. 23–24).

Good. Al-Tirmidhī narrated only the second version (2/184); the first version is not found in his work. Al-Bayhaqī narrated both versions in al-Sunan al-Kubrā (10/116), while Ibn Abd al-Barr cited something similar, without a complete chain of transmission, in Jāmi Bayān al-Ilm wa Fadlihi (2/109).

I previously traced the hadith’s sources, discussed its chain of transmission, and established that it is good in my critical study of the hadiths in The Four Terms in the Quran (pp. 18–20), so there is no need to repeat that discussion here.

7 — He—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Indeed, those who go to extremes are doomed! Indeed, those who go to extremes are doomed! Indeed, those who go to extremes are doomed!” Narrated by Muslim, Ahmad, and Abū Dāwūd. (p. 26).

Authentic. Muslim (6/58) and Abū Dāwūd (4608) narrated it—the wording quoted here is that of Abū Dāwūd—as did Ahmad (1/386), from Ibn Mas'ūd, who said: The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said it.

8 — (He—peace and blessings be upon him—then said: “I was sent with the pure monotheistic faith, a religion of ease.” Narrated by Ahmad.) p. 26

Weak. Ibn Sa'd narrated it in al-Tabaqāt (1/192): Muhammad ibn Ubayd al-Tanāfisī informed us; Burd al-Harīrī informed us, from Habīb ibn Abī Thābit, traced back to the Prophet.

I say: This report omits the Companion link from its chain. Its narrators are trustworthy except for this man Burd, whom I was unable to identify.

Abū Bakr ibn Salmān al-Faqīh also narrated it in Majlis min al-Amālī (A Session of Dictations) (1/16), from