What is meant by the statement of al-Hakim

The questioner: al-Hakim’s statement in al-Mustadrak: “Authentic according to the conditions ofThe Shaykh : the two Shaykhs.” Then he mentions the men here; are they the men of the “Sahihayn” specifically, or similar in a figurative sense, as al-Iraqi claimed?

The Shaykh: There are of both types. Sometimes it is a supporting chain, and sometimes it is independent. The reality is that al-Hakim, as it is said, wrote this book in black ink and was not given the opportunity to revise it. Sharik ibn Abdullah al-Qadi, this... Sharik ibn Abdullah al-Qadi and Muhammad ibn Ishaq, the author of the Sirah. Muslim narrates from them as a supporting chain. He says, “Authentic according to the conditions of Muslim,” but there is a matter much more subtle than this, and this is very rare. Who pointed to that between al-Hakim and the Shaykh of al-Bukhari and Muslim? There are two or more intermediaries. These are not according to the conditions of Muslim. So this is a specific terminology and is not precise. One should not say, “This chain is authentic according to the conditions of Muslim,” except when the chain is from the like of Imam Ahmad, because Imam Ahmad is among the ShaykhsThe Shaykh : of the two Shaykhs. So if the reality is that he is a Shaykh of Ahmad and those above him are according to the conditionsThe Shaykh : of the two Shaykhs, and he said, “Authentic according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs,” then it is correct. But when al-Hakim says about a chain where there are two or more intermediaries between him and the Shaykh of al-Bukhari and Muslim, or the Shaykh of one of them, and he says it is according to the conditions of al-Bukhari and Muslim, this is a specific terminology. It should be accepted with caution, because we found that some of al-Hakim’s Shaykhs are not trustworthy, so the chain is not authentic absolutely, let alone authentic according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs.

The questioner: And if... al-Dhahabi.

The Shaykh: The ruling is the same; it does not change.

The questioner: Does that mean... al-Hakim.

The Shaykh: This is the reality, Professor. There is no room for saying that al-Dhahabi agrees with al-Hakim in his statement “according to the conditions of al-Bukhari and Muslim” regarding a Shaykh of al-Hakim. It is impossible for a student of knowledge to understand it that way, let alone al-Dhahabi. But al-Dhahabi follows al-Hakim in his terminology only. Now we will give the adhan, if Allah wills, or is the mosque here on our way?

The questioner: May Allah preserve you. We pray with Shaykh Abu Malik, as you see, our Shaykh.

The Shaykh: We will catch it.

The questioner: We will catch it, if Allah wills.

Another questioner: How, Shaykh, does he say: “Authentic according to the conditions ofThe Shaykh : the two Shaykhs,” when, I mean, his Shaykh’s Shaykh is not...

The Shaykh: I am telling you, my brother, it is a terminology. We must understand it and that is all.

The questioner: ... What terminology?

The Shaykh: Is it turning in your mind that the Shaykh of al-Hakim is according to the conditions of al-Bukhari and Muslim? Does al-Hakim mean that he is among the Shaykhs of al-Bukhari and Muslim?

The questioner: He is not among their Shaykhs, but does he mean by that meeting and contemporaneity?

The Shaykh: Neither this nor that, nor this.