The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

Sahih Muslim - Hadith 2727b

Commentary on the Transmission

This narration from Imam Muslim's Sahih collection demonstrates the meticulous preservation of prophetic traditions through multiple chains of transmission. The mention of Shu'ba ibn al-Hajjaj, a renowned and trustworthy narrator of the second Islamic century, affirms the authenticity of this report.

The slight variation in wording between transmissions is characteristic of authentic hadith literature, indicating independent reporting rather than mechanical copying. Such variations often complement rather than contradict, providing richer understanding of the Prophet's teachings.

Scholarly Perspective

Classical scholars like Imam an-Nawawi explain that multiple chains (turuq) with minor wording differences strengthen the authenticity of a narration. This principle, known as "mutaba'ah" (corroboration), ensures the preservation of the Sunnah through diverse reliable sources.

The science of hadith criticism ('ilm al-rijal) carefully examines such variations to distinguish between substantive differences that affect meaning and insignificant variations that preserve the essential message.