I say: This is a weak chain of transmission. Ismāʿīl ibn Rāfiʿ al-Madanī was described by al-Ḥāfiẓ as “weak in retention.” I have not identified the Anṣārī man, but he has been corroborated: Ibn Jarīr related it through Jaʿfar ibn Burqān, from Yazīd ibn al-Aṣamm, from Abū Hurayrah, who said:

“Allah will gather all creatures together—every animal, bird, and human being. He will say to the animals and birds, ‘Become dust!’ Then the disbeliever will say, ‘If only I had been dust!’”

I say: This is an authentic chain of transmission. Its narrators are trustworthy and are among Muslim’s narrators, apart from Ibn Thawr, who is Muḥammad al-Ṣanʿānī. Although it is attributed to the Companion, it is a strong corroborating report for the hadith attributed to the Prophet, since such a statement cannot be based on personal opinion.

It is also supported by what Ibn Jarīr related through ʿAwf, from Abū al-Mughīrah, from ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr, who said:

“When the Day of Resurrection comes, the earth will be spread out, and the animals, livestock, and wild beasts will be gathered. Then retribution will be exacted among the animals: the hornless sheep will be given retribution from the horned sheep that had butted it. When retribution among the animals has been completed, He will say to them, ‘Become dust!’ Then the disbeliever will say, ‘If only I had been dust!’”

I say: Its chain of transmission is good. Its narrators are trustworthy and are among the narrators of the two Shaykhs, apart from this Abū al-Mughīrah, al-Qawwās, whose name is not known. Al-Dhahabī said in al-Mīzān: “Sulaymān al-Taymī declared him weak,” and Ibn al-Madīnī said: “I do not know of anyone besides ʿAwf who narrated from him.”

I say: However, Ibn Maʿīn declared him trustworthy, as recorded in al-Jarḥ wa-al-Taʿdīl (4/2/439), and Ibn Ḥibbān included him in al-Thiqāt. Thus, the chain of transmission is established. Praise be to Allah for granting success.