It was recorded by al-Bukhari (3624 and 6286), Muslim (7/142–144), Ahmad (6/282), and Ibn Sa‘d (2/247–248 and 8/26–27). Al-Hakim included it in his al-Mustadrak (3/156), but he was mistaken. What is remarkable is that he merely declared it authentic and did not say, “According to the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim.” It has already been cited in full under no. 2948.

Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him, addressed the apparent contradiction and reconciled the two hadiths in what al-Hakim related from him immediately after the hadith under discussion:

“Its meaning is: ‘among the best of my daughters.’ I have dictated material concerning this type of expression: the Arabs may say, ‘the best,’ while intending, ‘among the best.’ My books contain all that is needed on this matter, Allah willing.”

Al-Hakim then mentioned another way of reconciling them, based on his own view; whoever wishes may consult it.

Years after I had documented it, I found that al-Hafiz had preceded me in declaring it authentic in Mukhtasar al-Zawa’id (2/359). So praise be to Allah for granting success, and I ask Him for more of His bounty. *

3072 — “Toward the end of my ummah, there will be a caliph who will distribute wealth by the handful, without counting it.”

Ahmad recorded it (3/317): Isma‘il—namely, Ibn ‘Ulayyah—narrated to us from al-Jurayri, from Abu Nadrah, who said: We were with Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah when he said:

“The people of Iraq will soon have no qafiz (a dry measure) or dirham collected and brought to them.”

We asked, “Why will that be?”

He replied, “Because of the non-Arabs, who will prevent it.”

Then he said: “The people of Syria will soon have no dinar or mudd (a measure of grain) collected and brought to them.”