“His reports were accepted, and he was among the foremost men in knowledge, precision, and retention. He compiled works on his teachers, history, exegesis, and most of the Musnad.” He has an extensive biography in al-Tadhkirah (3/886–889), where he is described as “the hadith master and erudite scholar.” Ibn Mardawayh said: “He was one of the leading authorities in the science of hadith, in understanding, precision, and integrity.” His biography is discussed at length in al-Siyar (16/6–15), which cites the judge Abu Bakr ibn Abi Ali al-Dhakwani as saying of him: “A trustworthy and dependable scholar, outstanding in retention and precision.” Al-Haythami cited the hadith in Majma al-Zawa'id (6/203–204) and said: “Al-Tabarani narrated it, and its narrators are trustworthy.”

2982 — “Among my Companions are those who will not see me after I part from them.”

Ahmad (6/290), al-Bazzar (3/172/2496), and al-Tabarani in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir (23/319/724 and 394/941) recorded it through Abu Mu'awiyah, who said: Al-A'mash narrated to us from Shuqayq, from Umm Salamah, who said: Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf entered upon her and said, “Mother, I fear that the abundance of my wealth will destroy me. I am the wealthiest of Quraysh.” She said, “My son, spend it, for I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, say”—and she then cited the hadith.

He went out and met Umar, and informed him. Umar then came and entered upon her, saying, “By Allah, am I among them?” She replied, “No; and I will not give anyone else such an assurance after you.” Al-Bazzar said: “Al-A'mash and others narrated it from Abu Wa'il, from Umm Salamah. Abu Wa'il narrated three hadiths from her, while some people inserted Masruq between him and her.”