acceptable from him, given the sense he assigns to this term in his technical usage—namely, “acceptable when corroborated,” but otherwise somewhat weak in hadith. How can that be, when Abū Mushir, Duhaym, Abū Zurʿah al-Dimashqī, and others declared him trustworthy, and a number of trustworthy narrators transmitted from him?

The hadith also has supporting evidence in a similar report from Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān, traced back to the Prophet. Al-Hākim likewise graded it sound, and al-Dhahabī concurred. There is, however, some question about it, which I discussed in al-Ahādīth al-Sahīhah (506); nevertheless, a report of this kind is unobjectionable as supporting evidence.

442—(And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Reviling a Muslim is sinful disobedience, and fighting him is an act of unbelief.” Agreed upon.) p. 316.

443—(“Do not revert after me to unbelief, striking one another’s necks.” Agreed upon.) p. 316.

Sound. Al-Bukhārī (4/369), Muslim (8/34), and Ahmad (2/317) narrated it from Abū Hurayrah, traced back to the Prophet.

444—(He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When one of two Muslims takes up arms against his brother, they both stand on the brink of Hell. If one of them kills the other, they both enter it.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, that is the killer—but what of the one killed?” He replied: “He intended to kill his companion.” Agreed upon.) p. 316.

445—(He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “None of you should point a weapon at his brother, for he does not know: Satan may cause his hand to strike, and he may thereby fall into a pit of the Fire.” Agreed upon.) p. 316.