“Alqamah ibn Ulathah was with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when Bilal came to inform him that it was time for the prayer. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: ‘Wait a little, Bilal! Alqamah is taking his pre-dawn meal,’ while he was eating a head.”
Al-Tayalisi recorded it (no. 885 in its arrangement), as did al-Tabarani in al-Kabir, as cited in al-Majmaʿ (3/153). Al-Haythami said: “Shubah and Sufyan al-Thawri regarded Qays ibn al-Rabiʿ as trustworthy, though he has been subject to criticism.”
I say: His hadith is good when used as corroborating evidence, for he is truthful in himself; the only concern is his poor retention. Thus, when he narrates something that agrees with the reliable narrators, his hadith may be taken into consideration.
Among the reports supporting this is what Shabib narrated from Gharqadah al-Bariqi, from Hibban ibn al-Harith, who said: “We took the pre-dawn meal with Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. When we had finished the meal, he instructed the mu'adhdhin to give the call to commence the prayer.” Al-Tahawi recorded it in Sharh al-Maʿani (1/106), and al-Mukhallis in al-Fawaʾid al-Muntaqah (8/11/1). Its narrators are trustworthy apart from this Hibban. Ibn Abi Hatim mentioned him (1/2/269) through this narration, without stating either criticism or endorsement of his reliability; Ibn Hibban, however, listed him in al-Thiqat (1/27).
- “When two people are conversing privately, do not sit with them until you have sought their permission.”
Ahmad recorded it (2/114): Surayj narrated to us from Abdullah, from Saʿid al-Maqburi, who said: “I was sitting with Ibn Umar while a man was speaking with him, and I joined them. He struck my chest with his hand and said: ‘Did you not know that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said...’” Then he mentioned it.
I say: This chain is acceptable for follow-up and corroborating reports. Its narrators are trustworthy and are among Muslim’s narrators, except for Abdullah—namely, the elder Abdullah ibn Umar al-Umari. Al-Dhahabi said: “He is truthful, though there is some deficiency in his retention.” Al-Hafiz said: “Weak, but devout.”