It is narrated from al-Qasim bin Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) that a difference of opinion arose among the people (the Companions) about the place of burial of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said (ending this disagreement): "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'There is no prophet who dies except that he is buried where his soul is taken.' (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) instructed:) Now mark out a line around the blessed bed of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and then bury him in the very place where his soul was taken."
Imam Ahmad transmitted this hadith within a long narration with a connected but da'if (weak) chain, and he also narrated it with a mu'dal chain (one missing two or more consecutive narrators). However, this mursal route is more sound in its source, and it is this that strengthens that connected narration and shows that this report has a basis.
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب السيرة والمغازي / 4330
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف، مرسل، معضل
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :قال ابن حجر: رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ بِإِسْنَادٍ مُتَّصِلٍ ضَعِيفٍ فِي أَثْنَاءِ حَدِيثٍ ، وَأَخْرَجَهُ أَيْضًا بِسَنَدٍ مُعْضَلٍ ، وَهَذِهِ الطَّرِيقُ الْمُرْسَلَةُ أَصَحُّ مَخْرَجًا ، وَهِيَ تُعَضِّدُ ذَلِكَ الْمُتَّصِلَ وَتُشْعِرُ أَنَّ لَهُ أَصْلًا . » «أخرجه سنن ابن ماجه برقم: 1628، وأخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 40»