The Authentication and Weakening of Hadith by Later Scholars
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Should we accept the authentication and weakening of hadith by later scholars, even though those who came before them were more knowledgeable, more memorized, and more scrupulous?
If there is a conflict between the authentication of the early scholars and the later scholars regarding a hadith,Meaning: where the early scholars authenticated it and the later scholars weakened it, or vice versa, then a person who has the ability and discernment to distinguish between the two should look at which is more correct and more deserving of being followed. It will become clear to him that he has knowledge. As for one who does not have this ability, let him follow the authentication or weakening of the early scholars, because they are closer to the truth than the later scholars.And the well-known principle among the scholars of knowledge: The further people are from the Sunnah in time or practice, the weaker their knowledge of it becomes.
This is the detail: whoever knows how to prefer one over the other, let him prefer what he sees; and whoever does not know, let him follow the statements of the early scholars.
If there is a conflict between the authentication of the early scholars and the later scholars regarding a hadith,Meaning: where the early scholars authenticated it and the later scholars weakened it, or vice versa, then a person who has the ability and discernment to distinguish between the two should look at which is more correct and more deserving of being followed. It will become clear to him that he has knowledge. As for one who does not have this ability, let him follow the authentication or weakening of the early scholars, because they are closer to the truth than the later scholars.And the well-known principle among the scholars of knowledge: The further people are from the Sunnah in time or practice, the weaker their knowledge of it becomes.
This is the detail: whoever knows how to prefer one over the other, let him prefer what he sees; and whoever does not know, let him follow the statements of the early scholars.