I say: Sharik has some weakness on account of his memory, but Zuhayr’s corroborating report strengthens it. This Zuhayr was Zuhayr ibn Mu‘awiyah ibn Khudayj, a trustworthy narrator whose reports are found in both Sahihs.

This hadith draws attention to one of the etiquettes of gatherings in the time of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—which people today, including scholars, have long neglected: when a man enters a gathering, he should sit wherever he finds its end, even if it is at the threshold of the door. If he finds such a place, he should sit there and not wait for one of those present to rise from his seat for him, as some arrogant leaders and overbearing self-styled shaykhs do. This is explicitly prohibited in the Prophet’s saying:

“No man should make another man rise from his seat and then sit in it himself. Rather, make room and spread out.”

Muslim reported it and added in one version:

“When a man rose from his seat for Ibn Umar, he would not sit in it.”

331 — “Indeed, incantations, amulets, and love charms are associationism.”

Abu Dawud (3883), Ibn Majah (3530), Ibn Hibban (1412), and Ahmad (1/381) reported it through Yahya al-Jazzar, from the nephew of Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah, from Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah, from Abdullah, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—say it.

I say: All its narrators are trustworthy except the nephew of Zaynab. Al-Hafiz said in al-Taqrib: “He appears to have been a Companion, but I have not found him named.”

I say: Ibn Hibban’s work omits mention of him,