Moreover, there is a discrepancy in the chain of transmission of this hadith from Abu al-Zinad. His son, Abd al-Rahman, narrated it from him in this manner; this is the version recorded by al-Hakim and one of Ahmad’s versions (4/178–179). Al-Mughirah ibn Abd al-Rahman—namely, Ibn Abd Allah al-Hizami—followed him in this; this is the version recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and al-Tahawi. Ibn Jurayj said: “I was informed of it from Abu al-Zinad.” Ahmad recorded it.
Sufyan al-Thawri differed from them, narrating from Abu al-Zinad, from al-Muraqqa ibn Sayfi, from Hanzalah the Scribe, who said: “We went on a campaign with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and passed by a slain woman...” The hadith then continues with similar wording: “Go to Khalid ibn al-Walid and tell him: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commands you not to kill offspring or a hired servant.” Ahmad, al-Tahawi, and Ibn Majah recorded it. After Ibn Majah cited the first version following this one, he said: “Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah said: ‘Al-Thawri errs in it.’” Thus, he indicated that the first version is the correct one—and that is indeed the case—because all the trustworthy narrators we have mentioned agree upon it. This is further strengthened by the fact that Umar ibn al-Muraqqa ibn Sayfi narrated it from his father in the same manner as the trustworthy narrators narrated it from Abu al-Zinad, as stated above; and, ordinarily, a son is more knowledgeable of his father’s and grandfather’s narration.
The hadith also has a supporting narration with the wording: “What is the matter with people who have gone too far...?” It has preceded under 401.
Al-Hafiz also attributed this hadith in al-Fath (6/111) to al-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban, on the authority of Ribah ibn al-Rabi; it is pronounced Ribah, with an i-vowel on the r and y.
- “I do not break a covenant, nor do I detain messengers; but go back. If what is now in your mind remains in your mind, then return.”