Al-Manawi said in Fayd al-Qadir: “Its chain of transmission is weak because Fath al-Misri is weak. However, it is supported by what al-Bayhaqi narrated in Shuʿab al-Iman from the aforementioned Abu Masʿud, with the wording: ‘Indeed, the last thing that remained of the earlier prophethood ...’; the remainder is the same. In fact, al-Bukhari narrated it from Abu Masʿud with the wording: ‘Indeed, among what people have retained ...’,” to the end of the wording cited here.

I say: Al-Bukhari recorded it in “The Prophets” (2/379), in “Manners” (4/140), and in al-Adab al-Mufrad (597, 1316). So too did Abu Dawud (4797) and Ibn Majah (4183), through Mansur, who said: “I heard Ribʿi ibn Hirash narrate it from Abu Masʿud.”

Abu Malik al-Ashjaʿi differed from him regarding its chain of transmission, saying: “Ribʿi ibn Hirash narrated to me from Hudhayfah, who said: The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said...” He then cited it with the wording: “Indeed, among the last things to which the people of the Age of Ignorance held from the teachings of prophethood was: ‘If you do not ...’” Ahmad recorded it (5/405): “Yazid ibn Harun narrated to us; Abu Malik informed us,” with this chain. Abu Nuʿaym also recorded it in al-Hilyah (4/371), and al-Khatib in al-Tarikh (12/135–136), through other routes from Yazid ibn Harun, with this chain. Ahmad and al-Khatib added at its beginning: “Every good deed is charity, and indeed ...”

This is an authentic chain according to Muslim’s criteria. Abu Malik’s name was Saʿd ibn Tariq. It is not compromised by the preceding narration of Mansur, for—as al-Hafiz stated in al-Fath (6/280)—it is not far-fetched that Ribʿi heard it from both Abu Masʿud and Hudhayfah; that is, he narrated it from one of them on one occasion and from the other on another occasion. Such a reconciliation is necessary, for it is not permissible to deem a trustworthy narrator mistaken without proof, as is