I say: This is a chain of transmission whose narrators are all trustworthy narrators of Muslim, apart from this al-ʿAssal. Abu Nuʿaym deemed him trustworthy in Akhbar Isfahan (2/217). However, its chain is disconnected, for Abu Hatim said: “Salim ibn Abi al-Jaʿd did not live to meet Abu al-Dardaʾ.” Al-Mundhiri (4/94), and then al-Haythami (10/264), overlooked this hidden defect, saying: “Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Awsat, and its narrators are those of the Sahih.”

However, the hadith has corroborating reports that strengthen it. Among them is the report from Anas, attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “Many a dishevelled, dust-covered man wearing two threadbare garments, turned away from people’s doors; were he to swear an oath by Allah, He would fulfill it for him.” Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Awsat (4/406) through the route of ʿAbd Allah ibn Musa al-Taymi, from Usamah ibn Zayd, from Hafs ibn ʿUbayd Allah, from Anas, attributed to the Prophet. This is a good chain as a corroborating report; its narrators have been declared trustworthy, except for this al-Taymi, concerning whom al-Hafiz said: “Truthful, but frequently mistaken.”

Another is the report from Abu Hurayrah, attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “Many a dishevelled man driven away from people’s doors; were he to swear an oath by Allah, He would fulfill it for him.” Muslim narrated it (8/36/154) through the route of al-ʿAlaʾ ibn ʿAbd al-Rahman, from his father, from him. Kathir ibn Zayd also followed him, narrating from al-Muttalib ibn ʿAbd Allah, from him, attributed to the Prophet, with similar wording, adding: “People’s eyes turn away from him.” Al-Hakim narrated it (4/328) and said: “Its chain of transmission is authentic.” Al-Dhahabi agreed with him.