(Note): Al-Mundhiri cited Anas’s report attributed to the Companion, previously quoted from Ibn al-Qayyim, and remarked afterward (4/255): “Ibn Abi al-Dunya reported it as attributed to the Companion, whereas others reported it as attributed to the Prophet; the Companion-attributed version is closer to what is correct.”

I say: He seems to be referring, by the Prophet-attributed version, to the previously mentioned narration of Ibn Mardawayh. This judgment is correct, as will be clear from the preceding analysis. Yet it appears to me that al-Mundhiri had not come across the other Prophet-attributed route found in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad; otherwise, he would not have overlooked it, given the authenticity of its chain of transmission. The correct view, then, is that both the Companion-attributed and Prophet-attributed versions are authentic. There is plainly no contradiction between them. And Allah knows best.

2514 — “That is a river which Allah gave me—meaning, in Paradise—whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. In it are birds whose necks are like the necks of camels.” Umar said, “These are indeed most delightful!” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Those who eat them will be more blissful than they are.”

Al-Tirmidhi (2/88), Ibn Jarir in his Exegesis (30/209), Ahmad (3/237), and al-Maqdisi in The Description of Paradise (3/3/85/1) narrated it through several routes from Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Muslim, from his father, from Anas ibn Malik, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, “What is al-Kawthar?” He then mentioned it.

Al-Tirmidhi said: “This is a good, singular hadith. Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Muslim was the nephew of Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, while Abd Allah ibn Muslim was the brother of al-Zuhri—Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Ubayd Allah ibn Abd Allah ibn Shihab al-Zuhri.”

I say: Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri himself and others corroborated him. Abu Uways said: “Ibn Shihab informed me that his brother informed him that Anas ibn Malik al-Ansari informed him of it.”