The Book of the Merits of the Companions
44/52. Chapter:
The Virtues Of the Sahabah, Then Those Who Come After Them, Then Those Who Come After Them
Sahih Muslim
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ نَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي حَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . مِثْلَهُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ فِي حَدِيثِ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ فَلاَ أَدْرِي مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثَةً .
This hadith has been reported on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters (but with this variation) that Abu Huraira said: I do not know whether he (the Holy Prophet) said (these words:" Then next" ) twice or thrice.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2534bIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 303USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 6155