The third: Ammar ibn Abi Ammar said: I heard Abu Hurayrah say—and he then cited it similarly to the first route. Ahmad narrated it (2/406) through an authentic chain meeting Muslim’s criteria.

The fourth: from Abu Salamah, from Abu Hurayrah, in a report attributed to the Prophet, with similar wording, except that he said: “If he refuses, let him place his food in his hand.” Ahmad narrated it (2/259 and 283) through an authentic chain meeting the criteria of both al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The fifth: from Ismaʿil ibn Abi Khalid, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, in a brief report attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “When the servant of one of you brings the food, let him seat him with him; and if he refuses, let him give him some of it.” Al-Darimi narrated it (2/107), as did al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (200). Its chain is good for corroborative purposes: its narrators are trustworthy and are narrators of both al-Bukhari and Muslim, apart from Abu Khalid, Ismaʿil’s father. No one narrated from him other than his son, and no one declared him trustworthy other than Ibn Hibban.

It has a corroborating report narrated by Abu al-Zubayr, who said that he asked Jabir about a man’s servant when he had spared him the toil and heat. He replied: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed us to invite him. If one of you dislikes eating with him, then let him feed him a morsel in his hand.” Ahmad narrated it (3/346) through Ibn Lahiʿah, and al-Tabarani in al-Muʿjam al-Awsat (no. 37) through al-Awzaʿi, both from Abu al-Zubayr.

Ibn Jurayj corroborated him, saying: Abu al-Zubayr informed me of it. Al-Bukhari narrated it in al-Adab al-Mufrad (198). Its chain is authentic according to Muslim’s criteria.

Note: The compiler of al-Fath al-Kabir (1/147) attributed this hadith of Jabir to “ṬṢ”—meaning al-Tabarani’s al-Muʿjam al-Saghir—following its source, al-Ziyadah (folio 20/2), and al-Jami al-Kabir (1/41/1, Dar al-Kutub facsimile). This differs from the Zahiri manuscript copy of the latter (1/77/1), in which it reads “ṬS.” The latter is perhaps closer to being correct, even though it also conflicts with al-Majmaʿ, as will follow. For I had formerly arranged al-Muʿjam al-Saghir according to the Musnads of the Companions, and I did not find this hadith in my copy under the Musnad of Jabir. And Allah knows best.