particularly in his narrations from Saʿīd, from Abu Hurayrah. Yet he himself is truthful, as stated in al-Taqrīb. Al-Mīzān likewise says: “He was among the eminent figures and imams distinguished by righteousness and piety, and among those qualified to issue legal opinions. He had a study circle in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” Moreover, Muslim cited him only in corroborating narrations. Al-Ḥākim said, as quoted in al-Mīzān: “Muslim included thirteen hadiths from him in his book, all of them corroborative reports. Our later imams have criticized his poor retention.”

I say: His hadith is therefore good, if Allah wills. I have found a supporting narration for him in this hadith: al-Ṭayālisī recorded it (p. 306, no. 2325): Abu Maʿshar narrated to us, from Saʿīd, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The best of women is she who delights you when you look at her …”—a hadith similar to it. He added at its end: “He said: And he recited this verse: ‘Men are caretakers of women’—to the end of the verse.” Abu Maʿshar’s name was Nujayḥ, and he is weak.

It also has a corroborating report from the hadith of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Salām. Al-Haythamī said (4/273): “Al-Ṭabarānī recorded it, and its chain contains Zurayq ibn Abī Zurayq, whom I do not know; but all its other narrators are trustworthy.”

I say: He is known and trustworthy; see the preceding hadith (1698). Through al-Ṭabarānī, al-Ḍiyāʾ also recorded it in al-Mukhtārah (58/180/1). It has another corroborating report with the wording: “Shall I not tell you of the best thing that a person may treasure? …” This is an excerpt from a hadith recorded in al-Ḍaʿīfah (1319), al-Mishkāh (1781), and Daʿīf Abī Dāwūd (293).