I say, and with Allāh is success: I find it very unlikely that it is from Ibn Ḥibbān, due to his memorization, knowledge, and understanding. Rather, it is—according to what I strongly suspect—from his teacher (Abū Khalīfah), whose name is (al-Faḍl ibn al-Ḥabbāb al-Jumaḥī). Although he is considered trustworthy and knowledgeable—as al-Dhahabī mentioned in "al-Mīzān"—and counted among the ḥuffāẓ, the ḥāfiẓ mentioned some errors of his in "al-Lisān." Therefore, I believe this ḥadīth should be added to that. And Allāh knows best. Furthermore, the ḥadīth of the chapter can be considered as explaining and interpreting the verse of Allāh: "And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger" (Sūrah al-Isrāʾ, 15), with consideration of his saying (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) in it: "he hears of me"—meaning: in his true essence (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) as a human Messenger Prophet. So whoever hears of him in a manner contrary to what he (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) was—of guidance, light, and noble character—due to some ignorant Muslims or the misleading preachers among missionaries and atheists who portray him to their peoples in a way contrary to his known reality (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam); such peoples have not truly heard of him, nor has the message reached them, so they are not included in the warning mentioned in the ḥadīth. This is like his saying (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "Whoever sees me in a dream..."—meaning: in his true essence and attributes that he had during his lifetime. So whoever claims that he saw him as an old man with a gray beard has not seen him, because this description contradicts what he (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) was known for, from his characteristics (ṣallá Allāhu taʿālā ʿalayhi wa-ālihī wa-sallam). *

- "When one of you sneezes and praises Allāh, then respond to him. But if he does not praise Allāh, then do not respond to him." It was recorded by Ibn Abī Shaybah in "al-Muṣannaf" (8/683/6025) - and from him by al-Bayhaqī in