When do we say that a specific hadith is in this exact wording, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it, and was not narrated by meaning?
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The questioner: My teacher, do we establish that this wording, for example, is the wording of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) absolutely, meaning?
The Shaykh: Ah, the answer is: if the hadith is not reported except in one way, we say this is its wording.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: But if it is reported in different wordings and the subject matter is the same, we do not affirm that it is the wording of the Prophet. In that case, we say, as that Companion said, "If we narrate to you the meaning of the hadith, that is sufficient for you."
The Shaykh: Ah, the answer is: if the hadith is not reported except in one way, we say this is its wording.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: But if it is reported in different wordings and the subject matter is the same, we do not affirm that it is the wording of the Prophet. In that case, we say, as that Companion said, "If we narrate to you the meaning of the hadith, that is sufficient for you."
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.