This clarifies that what is meant by the seven modes is seven dialectal forms for a single expression and word: the wording differs while the meanings agree. Imam al-Tabari explained and elucidated this thoroughly in the introduction to his exegesis. He also made clear that the Ummah has remained upon a single mode, to the exclusion of the other six; that there has been neither abrogation nor loss; and that the recitation followed today is according to the codex upon which Uthman—may Allah be pleased with him—united the people. He discusses this in sound and solid words, so consult it, for it is highly beneficial.

2582 — “Go out, and when you arrive in your land, demolish your church, sprinkle this water over its site, and make it a mosque.” They said, “The land is far away, the heat is severe, and the water will dry up.” He replied, “Add water to it, for that will only make it purer.”

Al-Nasa’i narrated it (8/1, The Mosques, ch. 11), as did Ibn Hibban (98/304, Mawarid), through the route of Abdullah ibn Badr, from Qays ibn Talq, from his father Talq ibn Ali, who said: “We went as a delegation to the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and pledged allegiance to him. We prayed with him and told him that we had a church in our land. We then asked him to grant us some of the water remaining from his ablution. So he called for water, performed ablution, rinsed his mouth, then poured it into a water-skin and instructed us as mentioned above. We set out until we reached our land, demolished our church, sprinkled its site, and made it a mosque. We made the call to prayer there. The monk was a man from Tayy; when he heard the call to prayer, he said, ‘A true call!’ Then he headed toward one of our mountain passes, and we never saw him again.”

I say: Its chain of transmission is authentic. Ahmad (4/23) and al-Harbi in Gharib al-Hadith (5/141/2 and 156/2) also narrated it through this route, in abbreviated form.