The term al-aqmaʿ (“funnels”), whose initial hamzah takes a fatḥah (a-vowel), is the plural of qimaʿ (“funnel”), in which the qāf takes a kasrah (i-vowel) and the mīm a fatḥah, though it may also take sukūn (no vowel). It is a vessel placed at the mouth of a container in order to fill it with liquid. He compared those who listen to speech without comprehending it or acting upon it to funnels, which retain nothing of what is poured into them; it is as though the words merely pass over them, just as a drink passes through a funnel.

Al-Zamakhshari likewise said: “Among figurative expressions is: ‘Woe to the funnels of speech’—that is, those who listen but do not comprehend.”

483 — “Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy; whoever does not forgive will not be forgiven; and whoever does not repent will not have his repentance accepted.”

Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir (1/180/1), and Abu al-Hasan al-Harbi in al-Fawa'id al-Muntaqah (3/155/1), through Harun ibn Zayd ibn Abi al-Zarqa', who said: My father narrated to me: Al-Mufaddal ibn Sadaqah, Abu Hammad al-Kufi, informed us from Ziyad (ibn 'Alaqah), who said: I heard Jarir say: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said it.

I say: This is a chain of transmission whose narrators are trustworthy, except for al-Mufaddal ibn Sadaqah, concerning whom there is disagreement. Ibn Ma'in said: “He is of no account.”

Abu Hatim said: “He is not strong, but his hadith may be recorded.”