I say: He is weak in hadith, as stated in al-Taqrib. Al-Tabarani also narrated it through him in al-Kabir, as cited in al-Majma‘ (4/296).

1334 — “Do not be impressed by anyone’s deeds until you see how his life is brought to its close. A person may perform righteous deeds for a period of his life—or for a span of his life—such that, were he to die (upon them), he would enter Paradise; then he changes and performs evil deeds. And a servant may perform evil deeds for a period of his life such that, were he to die (upon them), he would enter the Fire; then he changes and performs righteous deeds. When Allah wills good for a servant, He puts him to work before his death and grants him success in righteous deeds (then takes him in death upon them).”

Ahmad (3/120, 123, 230, and 257) and Ibn Abi ‘Asim in al-Sunnah (347–353) narrated it through several routes from Humayd, from Anas ibn Malik, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said this.

I say: This is an authentic chain according to the criteria of the two Shaykhs. Al-Suyuti cited its opening portion from al-Tabarani’s narration from Abu Umamah, but its chain is weak, as al-Manawi explained. He should therefore have attributed it to Ahmad as well, thereby indicating its strengthening, as was generally his practice.

1335 — “Whoever learns a verse from the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, shall have its reward for as long as it is recited.”

Abu Sahl al-Qattan narrated it in Hadiths from His Shaykhs (4/243/2): Muhammad ibn al-Jahm narrated to us; Yazid ibn Harun narrated to us; Abu Malik al-Ashja‘i informed us, from his father, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said this.

I say: This is a good, rare chain of transmission. Its narrators are trustworthy and are among Muslim’s narrators, apart from Muhammad ibn