Al-Hafiz said: “It has corroborating reports narrated by Ibn Mardawayh and others.”

I say: I have mentioned some of them in Takhrīj al-Targhīb (3/68). It has another corroborating report in Ahmad’s Musnad (5/366), from an unnamed Companion. I say: Its chain includes Salim, from ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi al-Hudhayl, and Shuʿbah narrated from him; I did not recognize him. Then it occurred to me that it may be a corruption of Salm—with an unpointed sin bearing fatḥah and a lam bearing sukūn—for such errors frequently occur in similar-looking names. This thought was then confirmed when I found Salm ibn ʿAṭiyyah listed among those who narrated from Ibn Abi al-Hudhayl, and Shuʿbah listed among those who narrated from Salm. He is trustworthy, and all the remaining narrators are trustworthy according to Muslim’s criteria. Thus, the chain is authentic, and all praise is due to Allah.

2177 — “There will surely be people who wish that they had committed more evil deeds.” He was asked: “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Those whose evil deeds Allah will exchange for good deeds.”

It was narrated by al-Hakim (4/252), from Abu al-ʿAnbas, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said it. Al-Hakim said: “This Abu al-ʿAnbas is Saʿid ibn Kathir, and its chain of transmission is authentic.” Al-Dhahabi concurred.

I say: Its narrators are trustworthy and known, apart from the father of Abu al-ʿAnbas, whose name was Kathir ibn ʿUbayd al-Taymi, the fosterling of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. No one besides Ibn Hibban declared him trustworthy, but a number of trustworthy narrators reported from him. Al-Hakim also declared another hadith of his authentic (4/10), which will come under no. 2255, and al-Dhahabi likewise concurred. Thus, his hadith is good, Allah willing. Perhaps this is why al-Manawi said in al-Taysir: “Its chain of transmission is good.”