Discussion of the books of takhrij by later scholars and their benefit

The questioner : Yes, but I also return to the same books of takhrij. At some point, I return to learn the entire science of takhrij, meaning...

The Shaykh : This naturally helps with...

The questioner : I mean, what is the benefit of the first step? Starting with the books of...

The Shaykh : The first step is what gives you the knowledge. As for returning to the books of takhrij, it helps you first to know whether this hadith is valid or not. I mean: it is like a fiqh issue. You are not a jurist, so you ask the learned jurist, and he tells you: it is lawful, forbidden, a recommended practice, or obligatory, and so on. But fiqh is not just that. Fiqh is knowing, as some of the early imams said: "Do not follow me or Malik, but take from where they took." So the science of takhrij and terminology is like the principles of jurisprudence; it enables you to know whether this hadith is valid or not valid through your study of the science of terminology and the science of takhrij. As for returning to the books of takhrij, it gives you the ruling: valid, weak, or something similar. And this is, of course, for the beginner who wants to know the grades of hadiths; he must take this step. But if he wants to follow the path of knowledge that leads him to judging a hadith as valid or weak based on its chain of narration, it is what I mentioned to you just now.