The Book of Virtues - Sahih Muslim 2291 b

This narration from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reaches us through an alternative chain of transmission (isnad), demonstrating the meticulous preservation of Prophetic traditions. When a hadith is transmitted through multiple independent chains, it strengthens its authenticity and reliability according to the science of hadith criticism.

The scholars of Islam, such as Imam Muslim himself, often include these parallel transmissions to showcase the robustness of the narration and to provide additional insights through slight variations in wording or context that may appear in different chains. This methodological approach reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic scholarship in preserving the Sunnah.

Such multiple transmissions serve as evidence of the careful oral and written preservation of the Prophet's teachings, allowing scholars to cross-reference and verify each narration, thereby ensuring the purity of Islamic teachings for generations to come.