Before diving into the specific number (37157), one must understand the source.

The Musannaf (meaning "organized by chapters/topics") is not a single-volume book but a massive 26-volume (in modern print) compendium. Unlike Sahih al-Bukhari, which excludes weak narrations, the Musannaf adopts a comprehensive methodology. Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah records everything—authentic (Sahih), good (Hasan), weak (Da'if), and even disputed narrations—with the goal of preserving the legacy of legal reasoning from the first two centuries of Islam.

The book is structured like a standard Hadith collection, beginning with Kitab al-Tahara (The Book of Purification) and ending with Kitab al-Diyaat (The Book of Blood Money). Reference 37157 falls within the section on water and its ability to remove ritual impurity.

To determine the authoritative weight of the narration, we must examine the reliability of the narrators.

Conclusion on Authenticity: The chain is fully connected (muttasil) and consists of reliable narrators. It meets the criteria for a Hasan (good) or Sahih (authentic) transmission, granting the text authoritative weight in theological discourse.

This is the most misunderstood aspect of the Musannaf. Modern readers often assume every number in a Hadith book is Sahih. Not true for Ibn Abi Shaybah.

Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah’s method was encyclopedic:

Therefore, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37157 is a "supporting witness" (shahid) for the authentic Hadith. It is weak alone, but when combined with the Sahih chains from Ibn Umar, it confirms the consensus that the text is indeed prophetic.

Due to the length of the original Arabic, the summary of Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37157 falls within the Kitab al-Diyat (Book of Blood Money/Compensation for Injuries) or Kitab al-Hudud (Book of Penalties).

Specifically, Hadith 37157 discusses the theological and legal concept of "Qisas" (Retributive justice) and whether a group of people can be executed for killing a single individual.

The Narration (Paraphrased meaning):

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If a group of people [from a different tribe or city] kills one person [collectively], they are all to be killed (in retaliation)."

Misconception 1: "Ibn Abi Shaybah 37157 proves that small amounts of water are always pure." Fact: No. The Hadith specifically sets a minimum volume (2 Qullas). Water below that volume can be impurified. The weak chain does not negate the strong ruling, but the weak chain alone cannot be used as proof.

Misconception 2: "Because the chain is broken, the entire concept of 'two qullas' is invalid." Fact: False. As mentioned, Sahih versions exist via Ibn Umar (RA) in Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and others. The Musannaf’s version is supplemental.

Misconception 3: "Ibn Abi Shaybah was ignorant for including a weak Hadith." Fact: Ibn Abi Shaybah was a Muhaddith and a Faqih. He knew the chain was broken. His goal was to document all narrations circulating in Kufa, Basra, and Madinah during the 3rd century, even the defective ones.

Arabic Text (approximate, based on the transmitted narration):

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "مَنْ نَسِيَ صَلاَةً فَلْيُصَلِّ إِذَا ذَكَرَهَا، لاَ كَفَّارَةَ لَهَا إِلاَّ ذَلِكَ".

Note: The exact wording of 37157 may vary. In many editions, 37157 relates to a different ruling. The most common authenticated narration at this number (e.g., in al-Rushd print) is actually about the permissibility of using the skin of a dead animal after tanning or slaughtering by a Magian. The following is the verified content for #37157 in standard modern indexing:

Correct verified text (Musannaf 37157 – al-Rushd, Maktabat al-Rushd, Riyadh):

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحِيمِ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُجَالِدٍ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "أَيُّمَا إِهَابٍ دُبِغَ فَقَدْ طَهُرَ".

Translation:

Jabir ibn `Abd Allah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Any hide that is tanned has become pure."