“I do not know him” does not impugn him, Allah willing; for Ibn Hibban, al-Hakim, and al-Dhahabi—who declared his hadith authentic—did know him, as did Abu Hatim before them.

Part of this hadith is established through routes other than his, and it has corroborating reports. Al-Bukhari and others narrated, through Sufyan and others, from Yahya ibn Sa'id, that he heard Anas ibn Malik relate from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

“You will encounter self-serving favoritism after me, so remain patient until you meet me.”

Another route from Anas adds—and it will appear shortly—“at the Basin.” This addition is found in Ibn Hibban (7231) through the first route.

It is also recorded in Zilal al-Jannah (752, 1102, and 1103).

Al-Tirmidhi and others narrated, through another weak route, from Anas, from Abu Talhah, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to me:

“Convey my greetings to your people, for, to my knowledge, they are self-restrained and patient.”

In some copies, he graded it authentic, but there is no basis for this—unless he meant that it is authenticated by its corroborating reports. Thus, its latter part is acceptable. It is also recorded in al-Mishkah (6242). Al-Haythami overlooked this and included it in Kashf al-Astar (3/304) and al-Majma' (10/33), from the narration of al-Bazzar, although it does not meet the criteria of either of those two works.

As for the corroborating reports, Ma'mar said: From al-Zuhri, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“The Ansar are self-restrained and patient.”

It was narrated by Abd al-Razzaq (11/55/19894).

I say: This is either with a double break or mursal.