Response to Sheikh Bakr Abu Zaid

Shaykh Bakr holds the view that the ḥadīth originates from a single source in the narrations of both Muslim and Abū Dāwūd, and therefore the word “between” (bayna) in Muslim’s narration should be understood in light of the word “under” (taḥta) in Abū Dāwūd’s narration. However, in response, it may said: 1⃣. Does the word bayna in Arabic carry the meaning of taḥta (“under”)? 2⃣. Sahih Muslim is generally considered more authentic than Sunan Abū Dāwūd. Perhaps Imām Muslim intentionally chose this wording (bayna) over Abū Dāwūd’s (tahta). This aligns with Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn’s explanation, who said: “The correct understanding of this ḥadīth is that the Prophet ﷺ placed his left foot between his thigh and shin, as narrated by Muslim. This wording is preferable, because saying ‘under his thigh and shin’ is meaningless—if it is under the shin, it is automatically under the thigh, so there is no need to specify it. Therefore, the correct wording is that of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: ‘between his thigh and shin.’ If Abū Dāwūd’s narration is preserved, it may be considered a fourth form, and there is no harm in that. However, if the ḥadīth comes from the same source with the same narrators, we cannot describe two different postures; it should be understood in the context of Abū Dāwūd’s wording.” [End Quote] Source: https://shamela.ws/book/96875/397