and its chain of transmission is authentic according to the criteria of Muslim. Ibn Hibban (1954) also recorded it through another route from him, containing the first quality in the wording: “Guiding the way.” Its chain is good.

Al-Tahawi also recorded a similar report from Umar ibn al-Khattab, containing the two qualities: “That you return greetings … guide the lost, and help the distressed.” This last phrase has the same meaning as the third quality: “Help the oppressed,” as is apparent. Its chain is good. Its narrators are trustworthy, except for Abdullah ibn Sinan al-Harawi, concerning whom Ibn Abi Hatim (2/2/68) mentioned neither criticism nor accreditation. A number of trustworthy narrators reported from him.

Helping the oppressed is among the seven matters commanded in al-Baraʾ’s other hadith, recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim and others.

1562 — “Would you like me to tell you about authority and what it is? Its beginning is blame, its second stage is regret, and its third is punishment on the Day of Resurrection—except for one who acts justly. But how can he act justly with those closest to him?”

Al-Bazzar (no. 1597) and al-Tabarani in al-Awsat (no. 6891) recorded it from Hisham ibn Ammar, who said: Sadaqah narrated to us, from Zayd ibn Waqid, from Busr ibn Ubayd Allah, from Yazid ibn al-Asamm, from Awf ibn Malik, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Al-Tabarani said: “It is not narrated from Awf except through this chain of transmission; Zayd alone narrated it.”

I say: He is trustworthy and among al-Bukhari’s narrators, as are those above and below him in the chain. However, there is discussion concerning Hisham ibn Ammar. Al-Hafiz said: “Truthful, a Qur’an reciter; in old age, he became susceptible to prompting, so his earlier hadith is more authentic.”