may be then Imam Muslim and Tirmidhi didn't know the "earliest sources" you are talking about.
You my friend are quite independent in your thinking. Its a waste of time until you prove something from the Holy Quran or a clear Hadith.
clear hadith is of zayd b arqam in sahih muslim
and who says tirmidhi and muslim were ignorant but they were hadith compilers not historians.
i am not independent I dont form an opinion on my own views but simply repeat the view of scholars.
Earliest sources i am talking about are of history not hadith like abu mikhanaf, ibn kalbi, ibn muzahim, waqidi
they were all historians ...now 12ers have a problem with them as well ?