If Ibn Hibban mentions some of the biographical subjects in his book of reliable narrators and says, "I do not know him, nor do I know his father," may I say that Ibn Hibban graded him as reliable?

The questioner : The same statement regarding Ibn Hibban's grading of narrators as reliable: you mentioned that sometimes, in some biographies, he says, "I do not know him, nor do I know his father," yet he lists him among the reliable narrators. You mentioned that he lists him to make his status known?

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.

The questioner : No, because he grades him as reliable.

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.

The questioner : Is this the case in every instance?

The Shaykh : No, he does not say that, because the first statement is sufficient for us.

The questioner : I mean, I am asking you, may Allah preserve you.

The Shaykh : Please.

The questioner : May I say that he mentioned him, meaning Ibn Hibban graded him as reliable, regarding one in this condition?

The Shaykh : After we have examined this narration from him, we cannot say that Ibn Hibban graded him as reliable in what he says; rather, we say that Ibn Hibban mentioned him so that he would be known.

The questioner : He mentioned him among the reliable narrators.

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.

The questioner: Yes.