and Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musnad (2/38/2), through Za'idah, from Rukayn ibn al-Rabi', from his father, from his paternal uncle—who was Yusayr ibn 'Umaylah—from Khuraym ibn Fatik al-Asadi, who reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said this. Ahmad’s wording is the one cited above.

I say: This is an authentic chain of transmission. Al-Rabi', Rukayn’s father, was declared reliable by Ibn Ma'in and others, and he is included in al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil (Narrator Criticism and Accreditation). Al-Mas'udi contradicted them, however, and said: from Rukayn ibn al-Rabi', from a man, from Khuraym ... Ahmad transmitted it (4/321). Al-Mas'udi is weak because he became confused in his later years.

As for Maslamah ibn Ja'far, of Bajilah, Ibn Abi Hatim made no comment about him. Al-Dhahabi said: “I searched extensively for Maslamah, but could not identify him.” I say: Ibn Abi Hatim included him in his work (4/1/267), citing his narration from Rukayn ibn al-Rabi' and others. A number of people narrated from him, but he mentioned neither criticism nor accreditation concerning him. Al-Bukhari did likewise. In al-Lisan (6/33), it states: “He is unknown, and al-Azdi said: Weak.” Ibn Hibban included him among the reliable narrators (9/180).

Al-Hakim also transmitted the final sentence of the hadith through the first chain and said: “Its chain of transmission is authentic.” Al-Dhahabi concurred with him. Al-Tirmidhi likewise transmitted it, as did al-Nasa'i, as cited in al-Targhib; see my annotation on it (2/156).