Is the scholars' statement that the narrator is more knowledgeable about his narration than others in interpreting the narration to be taken in its absolute sense?

The questioner : What is your opinion, if this is the last question you started with?

The Shaykh : Please.

The questioner : We will conclude it, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh: May Allah will it.

The questioner : I mean, the scholars' statement that the narrator is more knowledgeable about his narration than others in interpreting the narration: is this the case for every tier, whether the narrator is a Companion, a Successor, or from a later generation, and whether he is knowledgeable in jurisprudence and exegesis or not? Is this the rule?

The Shaykh : What we believe and testify to before Allah is that there is no difference. Naturally, this is also not said in its generality. There is no general statement that has not been restricted. This is naturally restricted, provided there is nothing that negates this statement. Even if the narrator is of a high tier, we stipulate that there be nothing that contradicts it.

The questioner : Nothing that opposes it.

The Shaykh : And so, as you descend, the same condition applies. The same rule applies: that one should not deviate from the general rule or from the consistent practice by singling out someone he loves intensely with a special ruling. So I see that this is not what people are accustomed to.

The questioner : This becomes a matter of respecting people.

The Shaykh : Yes, and there is no harm in having scattered questions, because the professor's research must be calm and sequential.