What is the reason the al-Hafiz did not rely on al-Nasa'i's authentication in al-Taqrib, and sometimes Ibn Ma'in's and Ibn 'Abd al-Barr's as well? Is it because of the leniency they are known for?

The questioner : Also, our Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, we observe that when al-Nasa'i is the sole one to authenticate a narrator, and sometimes Ibn Ma'in, the al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar says in al-Tafriq that the narrator is "thiqah" (trustworthy) or says "al-Nasa'i authenticated him," and he avoids taking responsibility. He rarely relies on it and asserts the authentication himself. And if someone contradicts him, if there is someone who contradicts al-Nasa'i, he leans toward the opinion of the one who contradicts al-Nasa'i, whether it is to raise the narrator or lower him from al-Nasa'i's statement. And similarly al-Daraqutni, and close to them are al-Matin and Ibn 'Abd al-Barr. So the al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, regarding people like these, if he mentions their words, he mentions them as a way to be free from responsibility, or he lowers him from "thiqah" to "siddiq" (truthful) if he is going to assert it himself. And rarely does he say "thiqah" because of this person. Is it because he knew the leniency of these people, asThe Shaykh : al-Mu'allimi, may Allah have mercy on him, said in al-Tankil, that al-Nasa'i and Ibn Ma'in may authenticate unknowns, like al-'Ijli and Ibn Hibban.

The Shaykh : Regarding the ones you mentioned, I do not know. But as for al-Nasa'i, he is approximately like al-'Ijli in leniency.

The questioner : Approximately like al-'Ijli in leniency.

The Shaykh : Yes, I mean, he actually authenticates some unknowns, but he does not do so frequently as others who are lenient do. As for the others you mentioned, I have no idea about them at all.

The questioner : Okay, our Shaykh, if al-Nasa'i is the sole one to authenticate, do we treat him like al-'Ijli, or is he in a better state than al-'Ijli?

The Shaykh : We need to look at the narrators from this authenticated one.

The questioner : We look at the narrators in number and description.

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.

The questioner : In number and description.

The Shaykh : That is correct.

The questioner : And also those who included him in the books that have selection.

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.

The questioner : Or that have some strictness and caution in the condition.

The Shaykh : This helps in establishing trust.

The questioner : And also the highness or lowness of the class (generation).

The Shaykh : Yes, all of that helps.

The questioner : Along with the circumstances that are considered.

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.