Ahmad (2/512) and al-Hakim (1/413) recorded it. Al-Hakim said:
“The chain of transmission is authentic, for both chains from al-Amash have been authentically established, and both meet the criteria of the two Shaykhs, al-Bukhari and Muslim. We follow our established principle of accepting additions transmitted by trustworthy narrators, whether in chains of transmission or texts.”
Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. In my view, however, this is open to criticism on two grounds:
First: Muslim did not narrate anything from Abu Bakr ibn Ayyash; only al-Bukhari did.
Second: Abu Bakr was weak in terms of his retention, even though he was trustworthy in himself; therefore, his reports cannot be relied upon when he contradicts trustworthy narrators. Al-Dhahabi himself said in his biography in al-Mizan:
“Truthful, reliable in Quranic recitation, but he makes mistakes and errs in hadith.”
Al-Hafiz said in al-Taqrib:
“Trustworthy and devout, except that his retention deteriorated when he grew old; his book, however, was sound.”
- “Shall I not inform you who is highest in rank among people?” We said, “Certainly.” He said, “A man holding his horse by the head—or, he said, a horse—in the cause of Allah, until he dies or is killed. Shall I tell you who comes next?” We said, “Yes, Messenger of Allah.” He said, “A man secluded in a mountain pass, who establishes the prayer, pays zakah, and keeps away from people. Shall I tell you who is lowest in rank among people?” We said, “Yes, Messenger of Allah.” He said, “The one who asks by Allah the Magnificent but is not given.”
It was recorded by al-Nasai (1/358), al-Darimi (2/201–202), Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (1593), Ahmad (1/237, 319, 322), and al-Tabarani in al-Mu'jam