2858 — “This authority belongs to Quraysh so long as, when mercy is sought from them, they show mercy; when they judge, they judge justly; and when they distribute, they do so equitably. Whoever among them does not do this shall incur the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people; neither repentance nor ransom shall be accepted from them.”

It was recorded by Imam Ahmad (4/396) and al-Bazzar (2/229/1582) through the chain: ‘Awf, from Ziyad ibn Mikhraq, from Abu Kinanah, from Abu Musa, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, stood at the door of a house in which a group of Quraysh were gathered. He stood and took hold of the two doorposts, then said: “Is there anyone in the house other than a Qurashi?” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, except so-and-so, the son of our sister.” He said: “A people’s maternal nephew is one of them.” He then said the hadith.

This Abu Kinanah is unknown. It is said that he was Mu‘awiyah ibn Qurrah, but this has not been established, as al-Hafiz stated in al-Taqrib. Al-Haythami cited the hadith in al-Majma‘ (5/193) and said: “It was narrated by Ahmad, al-Bazzar, and al-Tabarani, and Ahmad’s narrators are trustworthy.” That is what he said, though you have seen the issue of the unknown narrator in it. Al-Bazzar’s chain is the same as Ahmad’s.

Abu Dawud narrated from it the words: “A people’s maternal nephew is one of them,” which has preceded under no. 776.

The hadith has corroborating reports through which it is authenticated and strengthened. Among them is a similar report from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri. Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Saghir (p. 43), and likewise in al-Awsat (1/142/2/2736). Al-Haythami said in al-Majma‘ (5/194): “Its narrators are trustworthy.”