This additional wording, without any mention of the right or left thigh, was also recorded by al-Bukhārī (6003), as well as by Ibn Saʿd and Aḥmad (5/205), in one narration through ʿĀrim, who said: “Al-Muʿtamir narrated it to us.” However, he said:

“O Allah, have mercy on them both, for I have mercy on them both.”

In my view, this wording is anomalous, because ʿĀrim—whose name was Muḥammad ibn al-Faḍl—had suffered impairment of memory, or alteration, toward the end of his life. The contradiction of someone like him to those who possessed stronger retention is not accepted, especially when they are a group, as they are here.

Some have found it problematic that he seated Usāmah together with al-Ḥasan, since Usāmah was about ten years older than him, while al-Ḥasan was eight years old when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, died. Al-Ḥāfiẓ answered this in al-Fatḥ (10/434); whoever wishes may consult it.

Had ʿĀrim not been corroborated by Hawdhah concerning the fact that he seated them, it would have been possible to consider that detail anomalous as well. And Allah knows best.

The supplication mentioned above has also been authentically reported from a number of the Companions. Among them was Abū Hurayrah, who supplicated with it for al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn, may Allah be pleased with them. Its documentation has preceded under hadith no. 2789. *******

The Merits of the Black Stone

3355—“Were it not for the impurities of the pre-Islamic era that touched it, no person afflicted with an ailment would touch it except that he would be cured; and there is nothing on earth from Paradise other than it.”

It was recorded by al-Bayhaqī in al-Sunan (5/75) and Shuʿab al-Īmān (3/449/4033). He said: Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Muqriʾ informed us: al-Ḥasan ibn Muḥammad ibn