How authentic is the Hadith of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, concerning her asking the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, about the torment of the grave, and his initial denial of its existence, then his later affirmation of it and his warning against it?

The aforementioned hadith was narrated by Imam Ahmad in Al-Musnad, and its chain of narration was authenticated by Al-Albani and Shu'ayb Al-Arna'ut. It indicates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, initially denied the torment of the grave before it was revealed to him that the Jewish woman's statement was true. There are other authentic narrations from Aisha in Musnad Ahmad and Sahih Al-Bukhari that confirm his, peace and blessings be upon him, belief in the torment of the grave. Aisha said: "A Jewish woman came to her, asking her for perfume. Aisha gave it to her. Then the Jewish woman said: 'May Allah protect you from the torment of the grave.' Aisha said: 'This resonated with me until the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came.' She said: 'I mentioned that to him, saying: O Messenger of Allah, is there torment in the grave?' He said: 'Yes, indeed they are tormented in their graves, a torment that animals can hear.'"

There is no contradiction between the narrations. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, knew that disbelievers are tormented in their graves, and he affirmed what the Jewish woman said regarding that. However, it was not revealed to him before this incident that the torment of the grave could also afflict monotheists. Then, revelation came to him stating that this could happen to whomever Allah wills among them. Al-Hafiz said in Fath Al-Bari: "What the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, denied was the occurrence of grave torment upon monotheists. Then he, peace and blessings be upon him, was informed that this could happen to whomever Allah wills among them, so he became certain of it, warned against it, and exaggerated in seeking refuge from it, as a teaching for his nation and guidance. Thus, by the grace of Allah, the contradiction is resolved."