As for al-Bayhaqi, he declared the hadith weak, saying—after relating it through Layth, from Mujahid, who cited it in similar wording: “This is from Mujahid’s own words; a hadith attributed to the Prophet has also been related concerning it, but it is not strong.” He then cited it. Al-Hafiz quoted this in the biographical entry of this Muslim in al-Lisan, and remarked: “I say: There is no one in its chain of transmission requiring scrutiny apart from this Muslim.”

I say: You have already learned that al-Khatib also declared him trustworthy. This is something that escaped al-Hafiz and others; thus, there is no need to hesitate in deeming him reliable. Allah is the Granter of success.

It may occur to one that the hadith conflicts with authentic hadiths, among them his saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “No Muslim plants a tree or sows a crop, from which a bird, a human being, or an animal eats, except that it is counted as charity for him.” It was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim and others, as cited in al-Sahihah (no. 7).

Al-Hafiz said in al-Fath (5/4): “It establishes the permissibility of attributing cultivation to a human being. A weak hadith prohibiting this has been reported by Ibn Abi Hatim...” He then cited it.

I say: You have already learned that the hadith is strong. It must therefore be reconciled with the hadith of the two Sahihs by one of the recognized methods of reconciliation—for example, by understanding the prohibition in the hadith under discussion as indicating dislike. This is how they reconciled the hadiths prohibiting the calling of grapes karm with other hadiths in which this term occurs, such as his saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “Wine comes from these two trees: the grapevine and the date palm.” Muslim narrated it (6/89). Likewise is the hadith prohibiting the sale of grapes for raisins (see Fath al-Bari, 4/385–386).