What is the meaning of the statement by hadith scholars: "This is a hadith whose narrators are trustworthy" or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections"? Does this mean that the hadith is authentic?
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The Shaykh : Here is a new question related to the science of hadith terminology: What is the meaning of the statement by hadith scholars: "This is a hadith whose narrators are trustworthy" or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections"? Does this mean that the hadith is authentic?
Answer: No, when hadith scholars say about a hadith: "The men of its chain are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," they do not mean that the hadith has an authentic chain. Rather, they mean that one of the conditions for authenticity is present in it. This is because it is known from the science of hadith terminology that an authentic hadith is: "One narrated by a just, precise narrator from a like him, from a like him, to its end, without being anomalous or having a hidden defect."
The first condition is a just, precise narrator. So when they say: "Its men are trustworthy," they mean that every narrator in this chain meets this first condition; every narrator in this chain is a just, precise narrator. And when they say: "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," it is the same meaning, with the addition that al-Bukhari or Muslim, or both together, have included these narrators in "Sahih Muslim" and "Sahih al-Bukhari." As for the other conditions, the phrase "Its men are trustworthy" or "The men of the authentic collections" does not mean that the other conditions are present in this chain. In fact, from experience, I know that generally, when a well-established hadith scholar like al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar says about a hadith's chain: "Its men are trustworthy," understand—O student of knowledge—that its chain is not authentic.
This is how you must understand it. But I said that if a well-established scholar in hadith science says about a chain: "Its men are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," that means it is not an authentic chain; it has a defect. This defect is what prevented this well-established scholar in hadith science from saying: "Its chain is authentic," or at least, it quickly appeared to him that the men are trustworthy, but perhaps there is a connection via "an'anah" (summary narration), perhaps there is concealment of a defect (tadlis), perhaps there is a break in the chain. Therefore, the majority of those who trace hadiths to their sources, except for the critical researchers among them, adopt the method of tracing by saying: "Its chain's men are trustworthy," "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," and the matter ends there.
For this reason, the book "Majma' al-Zawa'id" and its verification do not serve to authenticate a hadith at all, except where the editor explicitly states: "Its chain is authentic," "Its chain is good," or "Its chain is weak." Finally: "Its men are trustworthy except for so-and-so," in which case it is weak.
In these examples, there is benefit. But if one simply says: "The men of its chain are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," no authentication can be derived from it at all.
Finally: I do not know if the questioner here is asking about the hadith: Is it present or not?
The questioner: He is present.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner: He is present.
Answer: No, when hadith scholars say about a hadith: "The men of its chain are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," they do not mean that the hadith has an authentic chain. Rather, they mean that one of the conditions for authenticity is present in it. This is because it is known from the science of hadith terminology that an authentic hadith is: "One narrated by a just, precise narrator from a like him, from a like him, to its end, without being anomalous or having a hidden defect."
The first condition is a just, precise narrator. So when they say: "Its men are trustworthy," they mean that every narrator in this chain meets this first condition; every narrator in this chain is a just, precise narrator. And when they say: "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," it is the same meaning, with the addition that al-Bukhari or Muslim, or both together, have included these narrators in "Sahih Muslim" and "Sahih al-Bukhari." As for the other conditions, the phrase "Its men are trustworthy" or "The men of the authentic collections" does not mean that the other conditions are present in this chain. In fact, from experience, I know that generally, when a well-established hadith scholar like al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar says about a hadith's chain: "Its men are trustworthy," understand—O student of knowledge—that its chain is not authentic.
This is how you must understand it. But I said that if a well-established scholar in hadith science says about a chain: "Its men are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," that means it is not an authentic chain; it has a defect. This defect is what prevented this well-established scholar in hadith science from saying: "Its chain is authentic," or at least, it quickly appeared to him that the men are trustworthy, but perhaps there is a connection via "an'anah" (summary narration), perhaps there is concealment of a defect (tadlis), perhaps there is a break in the chain. Therefore, the majority of those who trace hadiths to their sources, except for the critical researchers among them, adopt the method of tracing by saying: "Its chain's men are trustworthy," "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," and the matter ends there.
For this reason, the book "Majma' al-Zawa'id" and its verification do not serve to authenticate a hadith at all, except where the editor explicitly states: "Its chain is authentic," "Its chain is good," or "Its chain is weak." Finally: "Its men are trustworthy except for so-and-so," in which case it is weak.
In these examples, there is benefit. But if one simply says: "The men of its chain are trustworthy," or "Its men are the men of the authentic collections," no authentication can be derived from it at all.
Finally: I do not know if the questioner here is asking about the hadith:
Like me and you
مثلي ومثلكمThe questioner: He is present.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner: He is present.
Source
www.al-albany.com
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