ʿAbd Allah ibn al-Mubarak also narrated it from him. I say: ʿUtbah ibn Abi Hakim is weak. Ibn Jabir contradicted him, reporting that Abu al-Musabbih al-Awzaʿi told them: “As we were travelling along the Qalamiyyah road, the commander Malik ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Khathʿami called out to a man leading his horse through the mountain passes: ‘O Abu ʿAbd Allah, will you not ride?’ He replied, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say’”—and then mentioned it—except that he said: “If a servant’s feet become dusty in the cause of Allah for an hour of the day, both are forbidden to the Fire.”

Ahmad recorded it (5/225–226). I say: Its chain of transmission is authentic. Its narrators are trustworthy and are narrators used by al-Bukhari and Muslim, apart from Abu al-Musabbih al-Awzaʿi, who is trustworthy.

Layth ibn al-Mutawakkil also corroborated him, narrating from Malik ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Khathʿami with the first wording. Ahmad also recorded it. Ibn Hibban and Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿUmayr deemed this Layth trustworthy, and the rest of its narrators are trustworthy and well known; thus, this chain is also authentic.

Both were further corroborated by ʿAbd Allah ibn Sulayman, who reported that Malik ibn ʿAbd Allah passed by Habib ibn Maslamah—or that Habib passed by Malik—while he was leading a horse and walking. He said, “Will you not ride? May Allah carry you!” He then mentioned it as a report attributed to the Prophet. Al-Darimi recorded it (2/202). Its narrators are trustworthy, but I have not identified this Ibn Sulayman.

The hadith also has a supporting report from Abu al-Dardaʾ, attributed to the Prophet, with similar wording. Ahmad recorded it (6/443–444).