The hadith of Aishah that he mentioned is similar. It is cited in al-Irwāʾ (2/20–23) and Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd (752).
In summary, the hadith under discussion is undoubtedly authentic, given the good quality of the chains of al-Dāraqutnī and Bahshal, as explained previously. It is not rendered defective by the narration of Muslim al-Farawī, for it comes through Bayān—who is Bayān ibn Bishr al-Aḥmasī, a trustworthy and exceptionally precise narrator. Moreover, it is elevated to the rank of authentic by those among the five supporting reports mentioned earlier which are fit to serve as corroboration, as distinct from those which are not; and finally by the corroboration in meaning provided by the hadiths of Abū Ḥumayd and Aishah. Their respective wordings are their own formulations and expressions; and although they differ in wording, they are united in meaning, as al-Hafiz, may Allah have mercy on him, indicated. So take advantage of this critical verification, which you may not find elsewhere. And Allah is the Granter of success.
- (He used to love Ali.)
Al-Ṭabarānī recorded it in al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ (6/389/5828) and al-Muʿjam al-Ṣaghīr (p. 199, Indian edition): Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn, Abū Ḥuṣayn the judge, narrated to us; he said: ʿAwn ibn Sallām narrated to us; he said: ʿĪsā ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Sulamī narrated to us, from al-Suddī, from Abū ʿAbd Allah al-Jadalī, who said:
Umm Salamah said to me, “Is the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, reviled from your pulpits?!” I said, “Glory be to Allah! How could the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, be reviled?!” She said, “Is not Ali ibn Abi Talib reviled, along with those who love him? I bear witness that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to love him!”
Al-Ṭabarānī said: “No one narrated it from al-Suddī except ʿĪsā.”