In al-Musnad (1/305), there is another route, narrated from Abu al-Tufayl, from Ibn Abbas: When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, halted at Marr al-Zahran during his minor pilgrimage, he learned that Quraysh were saying, “How emaciated they are—they can scarcely move!” His Companions said, “If we were to slaughter one of our mounts, eat its meat, and drink its broth, then by tomorrow, when we enter upon the people, we will have regained our strength.” He said, “Do not do so. Rather, gather your provisions for me.” So they gathered them for him, and leather mats were spread out. They ate until they were full, (1) and each of them then scooped some into his provision bag.
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, then proceeded until he entered the mosque, while Quraysh were seated near the Hijr. He draped his cloak so as to leave his right shoulder bare and said, “Let the people see no sign of weakness in you.” He then touched the Black Corner and began his circuit. When he had passed beyond the Yemeni Corner, out of their sight, he walked normally until the Black Corner. Quraysh said, “They are not content merely to walk; they leap like gazelles!” He did this for three circuits, and it became a sunnah. Abu al-Tufayl said: Ibn Abbas also told me that the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, did this during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Its chain is also authentic according to Muslim’s criteria. Al-Bayhaqi likewise transmitted it in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah (3/3/1) through both routes. Muslim (4/64) narrated it through al-Jurayri, from Abu al-Tufayl, with similar wording. It is also cited in al-Irwa’ (4/315). Muslim then narrated through Ata’, from Ibn Abbas, who said: “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, only hastened and walked briskly around the House in order to show the polytheists his strength.”
Benefit: Someone may say: If the legal cause underlying the prescribed brisk walking during circumambulation is only to show the polytheists the strength of the Muslims, should it not be said that, since this legal cause has ceased, the prescription of such brisk walking should likewise cease? The answer is no, for the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, walked briskly thereafter during the Farewell Pilgrimage, as related in the lengthy hadith of Jabir and others, including this hadith of Ibn Abbas in the preceding narration of Abu al-Tufayl. For this reason, Ibn Hibban said in his Sahih (6/47—al-Ihsan):