Is it true that you praised the book *Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj fi Sahih al-Manhaj* by Abu al-Hasan al-Misri?

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner asks: Is it true that you praised the book *Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj fi Sahih al-Manhaj* by Abu al-Hasan al-Misri?

The Shaykh:
How?

The questioner:
He asks: Is it true that you praised the book *Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj fi Sahih al-Manhaj*?

The Shaykh:
What is al-Manhaj?

The questioner:
like this.

The Shaykh:
This is the first time I have heard of it, so how could I have praised it? By Allah, this is the first time I have heard of it. *Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj*—I know it as a commentary by Shaykh Hasan Khan on *Sahih Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj*. That is the *Al-Siraj al-Wahhaj* I know: a commentary on *Sahih Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj*.
As for this one, I do not know it and I do not know about it. But lying is easy these days. Lying and fabrication are easy, and there is no power or strength except with Allah.
We do not accept any statement, whether mine or anyone else’s, until the speaker provides the attributed text in writing or his voice on a recording. Either he provides the text verbatim with his signature on it, or his voice on a tape. Even though voices can be imitated, you are lenient in this matter; everyone knows their own voice.

The presenter:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: This is a question that concerns many people.

The Shaykh:
In this situation, do not believe rumors. You see that lying is abundant today, and sowing discord among the scholars is abundant, and incitement is abundant. Beware of this. Yes.