Weak. Its attribution to Muslim is an error. It was instead narrated by Ahmad, al-Tirmidhī, and others from Uqbah ibn Āmir as a hadith traced back to the Prophet. Al-Tirmidhī said, “It is a sound and authentic hadith.”

I say: Not so, for its chain contains Abdullah ibn al-Azraq—namely, Abdullah ibn Zayd al-Azraq—and he is unknown. Moreover, there is inconsistency in its chain of transmission, as I have set forth in Takhrīj Fiqh al-Sīrah (p. 164). Through the route mentioned above, it was also narrated by al-Tayālisī in his Musnad (1007), and from him by al-Bayhaqī in Branches of Faith (2/271).

389 — (He said: “Everything that does not constitute remembrance of Allah is idle amusement or heedlessness, except four activities: a man’s walking between the two targets (for archery), training his horse, playing with his wife, and teaching someone to swim.” Narrated by al-Tabarānī with a good chain of transmission.) p. 288

Authentic. It was also narrated by al-Nasā’ī in the Kind Treatment of Women section of his al-Sunan al-Kubrā (fol. 74/2), with an authentic chain from Jābir ibn Abdullah al-Ansārī. I discussed it in al-Ahādīth al-Sahīhah (309).

390 — (Ibn Umar reported that “the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) organized a race among horses and awarded the winner a prize.” Narrated by Ahmad.) p. 288.

Authentic. Its chain as given by Ahmad is weak, but it has other routes that strengthen it. I traced them in al-Irwā (1507).

391 — (Anas was asked, “Did you engage in wagers during the time of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? Did Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) wager?” He replied, “Yes, by Allah. He did indeed place a wager on