“Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Awsat, and its narrators are those of the Sahih.”

I say: It is as he said; however, in his work (6670), it is narrated by Amr ibn Abi Amr, the freedman of al-Muttalib, from Aishah, and I do not think that he heard from her.

The third is from Anas ibn Malik, attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “I was commanded to use the toothstick until I feared I would become toothless, or until I feared for my gums.” Al-Bazzar recorded it (p. 60 of its Zawa'id) through عمران ibn Khalid al-Khayyat, from Thabit, from Anas. This عمران was al-Khuza'i, and he is weak, as Abu Hatim and others stated.

Abu Ishaq al-Sabi'i narrated from al-Tamimi, who said: I asked Ibn Abbas about the toothstick, and he replied: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, continued commanding us to use it until we feared that a revelation concerning it would be sent down to him.” Ahmad (1/285 and 339–340) and al-Bayhaqi (1/35) recorded it through Shu'bah and Sufyan, from him. This al-Tamimi—whose name was Arbad—is unknown. Sharik ibn Abdullah also corroborated them in reporting from Abu Ishaq, with the wording: “I was commanded to use the toothstick until I thought—or supposed—that the Quran would be revealed concerning it.” Ahmad recorded it (1/237, 307, 315, and 337). Sharik had a poor memory.

It is further corroborated by the hadith of Layth, from Abu Burdah, from Abu al-Malih ibn Usamah, from Wathilah ibn al-Asqa', who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “I was commanded to use the toothstick until I feared that it would be prescribed for me.” Ahmad recorded it (3/490).