al-Zuhri, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Ka'b ibn Malik, from Amir ibn Malik … Al-Bazzar also narrated it and said: “Ibn al-Mubarak attributed it directly to the Prophet—that is, he gave it a connected chain—whereas Abd al-Razzaq transmitted it as a mursal report. We know of no report from Amir other than this one.”

Al-Hafiz commented after it: “I say: The chain of transmission is authentic and singular. Ibn al-Mubarak had a stronger memory than Abd al-Razzaq, yet Abd al-Razzaq’s version of the hadith is more likely to be correct.”

I say: This seems to be due to the other mursal route recorded by al-Bayhaqi. In any case, the hadith is authentic, for it has corroborating reports that attest to its authenticity. Some of them have already preceded; see hadith no. 1707.

Note: In al-Jami' al-Saghir, al-Suyuti attributed the hadith to al-Tabarani’s al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, on the authority of Ka'b ibn Malik! In al-Jami' al-Kabir, however, he attributed it (1/251/2) to al-Tabarani in al-Kabir and to Ibn Asakir, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Ka'b ibn Malik, from his father; and to Ibn Asakir, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Ka'b ibn Malik, from Amir ibn Malik, Mula'ib al-Asinnah. Al-Haythami, in al-Majma' (4/152), did not attribute it to al-Tabarani at all. And Allah knows best. The hadith has corroborating reports, one of which has preceded under no. 1707.

1728 — “The firmest bonds of faith are loyalty for Allah’s sake, enmity for Allah’s sake, love for Allah’s sake, and hatred for Allah’s sake.”

Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir (11537) through Hanash, from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said to Abu Dharr: “Which of the bonds of faith—I think he said, ‘is the firmest’?” He replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “Loyalty …”