2 — As for the hadith of Mu‘adh, it is narrated by Samit ibn Mu‘adh al-Jundi: ‘Abd al-Majid ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Abi Rawwad narrated to us from Sufyan al-Thawri, from Safwan ibn Sulaym, from ‘Adi ibn ‘Adi, from al-Sunabihi, from him. Al-Khatib narrated it in al-Iqtida’ (2) and in al-Tarikh (11/441).

This chain is acceptable for corroborating reports. Its narrators are trustworthy, apart from ‘Abd al-Majid and Samit, both of whom have some weakness. Al-Mundhiri said in al-Targhib (4/198): “Al-Bazzar and al-Tabarani narrated it with an authentic chain of transmission.” It is therefore apparent that they narrated it by another route; otherwise, it is far from being authentic.

Layth also narrated it from ‘Adi ibn ‘Adi as a report attributed to the Companion. Al-Darimi (1/131) and al-Khatib (3) narrated it, but he mentioned Raja’ ibn Haywah in place of al-Sunabihi. The first version is more correct. Layth is Ibn Abi Sulaym, and he is weak; moreover, he stopped the report at the Companion level. Attributing it to the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, is correct in view of these corroborating reports.

It has also been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, with the addition at its end: “and about his love for us, the Prophet’s Household.” This addition is false; for that reason, I included it in the other book (1922).