This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Musa b. 'Uqba but with a slight variation of wording.
The Book of Heart-Melting Traditions - Sahih Muslim 2743 b
This narration from the blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been transmitted through the reliable chain of Musa ibn 'Uqba, with only minor linguistic variations that do not affect the core meaning or legal implications. Such variations in wording are common in hadith transmission and demonstrate the meticulous preservation of the Prophet's teachings through multiple authentic channels.
Scholarly Commentary on Transmission Variations
The slight variation in wording mentioned indicates the authenticity of the transmission process, where narrators preserved the essential meaning while sometimes using different expressions. This phenomenon is well-documented in Islamic scholarship and actually strengthens the reliability of the hadith through multiple attestation.
Classical scholars like Imam Muslim meticulously recorded these variations to demonstrate the comprehensive preservation of the Prophetic tradition. The core message remains unchanged, while minor linguistic differences reflect the natural variations in human memory and expression among trustworthy narrators.
Principles of Hadith Authentication
Islamic scholars developed sophisticated methodologies to verify hadith authenticity, considering factors such as narrator reliability, chain continuity, and textual consistency. The presence of slight wording variations within authentic chains actually enhances confidence in the preservation of the Prophetic message across generations.
Such transmissions demonstrate how the Muslim community safeguarded the Sunnah through multiple independent channels, ensuring that the essential teachings remained intact while accommodating natural human variations in precise wording.