Al-‘Ijli said: “A Syrian Successor, trustworthy.”

The criticisms concerning Baqiyyah are well known. The stronger view is that his hadith may be accepted as evidence when he explicitly states that he heard it from his shaykh. Al-Dhahabi said in al-Kāshif: “The majority declared him trustworthy in what he heard from trustworthy narrators.” Al-Nasa’i said: “When he says, ‘He narrated to us’ or ‘He informed us,’ he is trustworthy.”

2225 — “What do you say? If it is a matter of your worldly affairs, then it is yours to decide; but if it is a matter of your religion, then refer it to me.”

Imam Ahmad recorded it (5/298) from Hammad ibn Salamah, from Thabit, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Rabah, from Abu Qatadah, who said:

“We were travelling with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said: ‘If you do not reach water tomorrow, you will become thirsty.’ Some of the people hurried off in search of water, while I remained with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. His mount began to lean beneath him, and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, dozed off. I supported him, and he straightened himself. Then he leaned again, so I supported him and he straightened himself. Then he leaned until he was nearly thrown from his mount, so I supported him. He awoke and asked, ‘Who is this man?’

“I replied, ‘Abu Qatadah.’

“He asked, ‘How long have you been travelling?’

“I replied, ‘Since last night.’

“He said, ‘May Allah preserve you as you preserved His Messenger.’ Then he said, ‘Let us stop and rest.’ He turned toward a tree and dismounted, then said, ‘Look—do you see anyone?’

“I said, ‘There is one rider; there are two riders,’ until their number reached seven. We said, ‘Keep watch over the prayer for us.’ We then slept, and nothing woke us but the heat of the sun. We awoke, and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, mounted up. He travelled on, and we travelled for a little while. Then he dismounted and asked, ‘Do you have any water?’

“I said, ‘Yes. I have a small water-container with some water in it.’

“He said, ‘Bring it to me.’ So I brought it to him, and he said, ‘Draw from it, draw from it.’ The people performed ablution, and only a small drink remained. He said, ‘Keep it safe, Abu Qatadah, for it will have…’