is trustworthy, whereas Abu Ghalib is unknown. It is not permissible to prefer one of the two alternatives in such uncertainty over the other without a factor warranting preference, and we have not found one to date. For this reason, I had included it in al-Ḍaʿīfah (3191) and explained the reason there. I would add here that Nahshal’s version states that the hadith is a saying of Luqman the Wise. This is an addition to Mujahid’s version, whose apparent meaning is that it is a statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. An addition to the report of a trustworthy narrator is accepted only when it comes from one equally trustworthy, and that is lacking here. Take note.

A report with a similar meaning was recorded by al-Nasaʾi in Daily Practice and Nightly Devotions (508), as was Ibn al-Sunni, through al-Layth ibn Saʿd and Saʿid ibn Abi Ayyub, from al-Hasan ibn Thawban, who heard Musa ibn Wardan say: “I came to Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, to bid him farewell before undertaking a journey. Abu Hurayrah said: ‘Shall I not teach you, my nephew, something that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, taught me to say when taking leave?’ I said: ‘Certainly.’ He said: ‘Say: I entrust you to Allah, whose entrusted things are never lost.’”

I say: This is a good chain of transmission. Ahmad also recorded it (2/403), but did not mention Saʿid ibn Abi Ayyub in his chain of transmission. Ibn Lahiʿah also narrated it from al-Hasan ibn Thawban, but he said: “Shall I not teach you some words that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, taught me? When you intend to travel or leave for somewhere, say to your family…” Then he mentioned it. Ibn al-Sunni recorded it (501), as did Ibn Majah (2825) in abridged form, and Ahmad (2/358) with the wording: “I entrust to Allah your religion, your trust, and the final deeds of your life.” Ibn Lahiʿah had poor retention, so his reports cannot be used as evidence except where he agrees with trustworthy narrators. The preceding wording is more authentic. See the earlier hadith (16).