The annotator then objected, saying:

“I say: Ibn Hajar mentioned him in al-Taqrib and said: ‘Trustworthy, from among the younger members of the second generation—the Successors. He died in 79 AH and did hear from his father, though only a little.’ In his entry on his son al-Qasim, he said: ‘Trustworthy and devout, from the fourth generation.’ So how can al-Dhahabi’s categorical statement that they are not reliable authorities be correct?” Al-Hasan al-Nu‘mani.

I say: There are two answers to this:

First: It is not valid to object to al-Dhahabi on the basis of al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar’s statement, for it is possible that al-Dhahabi regarded it as more likely that Abd al-Rahman had not heard from his father. The hadith masters differ on this matter, even though the stronger view is what al-Hafiz stated.

Second: Al-Nu‘mani did not understand al-Dhahabi’s words. His statement, “Abd al-Rahman and those after him are not reliable authorities,” does not refer to Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud; rather, it refers to Abd al-Rahman ibn Ishaq—Abu Shaybah al-Wasiti. In al-Kashif and elsewhere, al-Dhahabi said of him: “They declared him weak.”

As for the narrator from him, al-Nadr ibn Isma‘il al-Bajali, al-Dhahabi said of him in al-Kashif: “He is not strong.” Al-Hafiz said the same in al-Taqrib.

See also Brother Badr’s annotation on al-Da‘awat.

The hadith is supported by what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, to say in the morning and evening:

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer! By Your mercy I seek aid. Set right all my affairs, and do not leave me