I say: Its chain of transmission is authentic according to Muslim’s criteria. The hadith also has a corroborating report, similar in wording, from ʿAʾishah. It was narrated by al-Bukhari (11/147—Fatḥ), Muslim (2/92), and Ahmad (6/44–45 and 205–206). Some routes add: “Yes, the punishment of the grave is real.” I have previously traced it above (377).

It has another corroborating report from Umm Khalid bint Khalid ibn Saʿid ibn al-ʿAs, attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “Seek protection from the punishment of the grave, for the punishment of the grave is real.” Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Kabir. Its basis is found in al-Bukhari (3/192 and 11/149—Fatḥ), through Musa ibn ʿUqbah, who said: “I heard Umm Khalid bint Khalid”—and he said, “I have not heard of anyone other than her who heard directly from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)”—who said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) seeking refuge from the punishment of the grave.”

Al-Tabarani only narrated it through another route from Musa, with the same report, as we have mentioned. Al-Hafiz passed over it without comment in Fatḥ al-Bari, which indicates that he considered it established. And how could he not, when the preceding report supports it?

1445 — “Seek refuge in Allah from poverty, scarcity, humiliation, and from wronging others or being wronged.”

Al-Nasaʾi (2/315), Ibn Majah (2/433), Ibn Hibban (2442), al-Hakim (1/531), and Ahmad (2/540) narrated it through several routes from al-Awzaʿi, from Ishaq ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi Talhah, from Jaʿfar ibn ʿIyad, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said—and he cited it. Al-Hakim said: “Its chain of transmission is authentic.” Al-Dhahabi agreed with him, though this is strange coming from him, for in Jaʿfar ibn ʿIyad’s biography in al-Mizan he said: “Only Ishaq ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi Talhah narrated from him; he is unknown.” Al-Hafiz said in al-Taqrib: