I say: The response to this has already preceded. Rather, the point requiring scrutiny is that Sulayman ibn Buraydah is not among al-Bukhari’s transmitters, and that the more widely known attribution—as Ibn Allan also previously related from al-Hafiz—is that it is from his brother, Abdullah.

Moreover, his saying, “the Book of Divorce,” is a slip of the pen; it is in fact “the Book of Marriage.” Reference has already been made to its location therein, by volume and page.

Furthermore, Imam Ahmad transmitted the hadith (6/258) through the route mentioned, without naming Ibn Buraydah. Al-Tabarani likewise narrated it in al-Du'a (2/1228/916). It therefore appears to me that the hadith is that of Abdullah, and that the mention of Sulayman is anomalous. And Allah knows best.

The purpose of citing the hadith through his narration was to rebut the objection that its chain is disconnected, since no one said of Sulayman what they said of his brother. But since his mention has not been authentically established, the purpose has not been achieved. What has preceded and what follows are therefore sufficient for us.

The other consideration is that it is established that Aisha said:

“If I knew which night was Laylat al-Qadr, the greater part of my supplication during it would be to ask Allah for pardon and well-being.”

Al-Nasa'i narrated it (878), as did al-Bayhaqi in al-Shu'ab (2037), through two chains from her. It is apparent that she would not say this except on the basis of prophetic instruction. And Allah knows best.

Note: In Sunan al-Tirmidhi, after the word “pardoning,” there occurs the additional word, “Generous.” It has no basis in any of the previously cited sources, nor in any others that transmitted it from her. It therefore appears to have been inserted by some copyists or printers, for it does not occur in the Indian edition of Sunan al-Tirmidhi upon which al-Mubarakpuri’s commentary Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (4/264) is based, nor