Is the Hadith of Abu Dharr, "More than the Dajjal, I fear for my Ummah 'imams who lead astray'," authentic, and what is its explanation?

The hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad with the wording: "Indeed, what I fear most for my Ummah is other than the Dajjal," then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clarified that they are "misleading imams," is weak in its chain of narration (isnad). However, it has supporting narrations (shawāhid) that elevate it to the level of authenticity, among them what Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhi narrated with the wording: "Indeed, what I fear for my Ummah are the misleading imams," and Al-Albani authenticated it.

The meaning of the hadith is that the most dangerous thing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, feared for his Ummah are the misleading imams. These are all those whom people follow and who turn them away from the path of Allah, such as corrupt rulers, wicked scholars, and ignorant worshippers, who distort the Sharia and invite to innovations. Their temptation is more dangerous than the temptation of the Dajjal because they are closer to people, and there is a fear of falling into their misguidance.