The Ruling on Citing Weak Hadiths and Books of Exhortation

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. Among the questions from the brother Salih, he says: Regarding weak hadiths, are they cited as evidence? And what book does the Shaykh (may Allah preserve him) recommend I read for the group after the 'Asr prayer and after the 'Isha' prayer?

Answer:
Weak hadiths that have not reached a state of extreme weakness are read for the sake of exhortation. They are also cited as evidence for the virtues of deeds and for the prohibition of forbidden acts. However, they are not used to establish a legal ruling of permissibility or prohibition. Rather, they are cited and utilized for preaching, reminding, and reinforcing a legal ruling, but not to establish an independent ruling of permissibility or prohibition. The scholars mentioned that there are three conditions for acting upon a weak hadith: First, that it not be extremely weak. Second, that no legal ruling of permissibility or prohibition be established upon it. Third, that one not be categorical in attributing it to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Instead, one should say, "It is narrated," "It is reported," or "It is mentioned" from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), using a form of uncertainty, not categorical assertion. One should not say, "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said," but rather, "It is narrated from him," "It is reported from him," or "It is mentioned from him" (peace and blessings be upon him). The best book to read for the group is *Riyad al-Salihin* by Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), and *al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib* by al-Hafiz al-Mundhiri (may Allah have mercy on him). These two scholars compiled these two books and mentioned the grades of the hadiths in them, so they are two reliable books.