How is the study of the science of hadith terminology conducted?

The Shaykh : For the one who should or wishes to study terminology, in my knowledge and experience, the easiest thing for him is *Al-Ba'ith al-Hathith Sharh Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith* (The Eager Motivation: A Commentary on the Summary of the Sciences of Hadith). *Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith* is by al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir, and the commentary is by Shaykh Ahmad Shakir al-Misri. This man is one of the rare hadith scholars of the present era who applied the science of terminology practically, whereas the majority of students of the science of terminology know it only theoretically. Therefore, a student of knowledge benefits more from studying this book than from studying any other. Once he has finished it, I advise him to occupy himself with studying *Sharh al-Nukhba* (Commentary on al-Nukhba) by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, because what I said earlier about Ahmad Shakir applies a fortiori to Ahmad ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, for he is truly an imam in hadith, both in knowledge and practice, and we know of no one comparable to him among those who came after him. He is the most knowledgeable of those we know, but this book is very condensed and brief. Therefore, one should seek assistance with it by using some of the commentaries written on it. Among these commentaries is one by Shaykh Mulla 'Ali al-Qari, the renowned Hanafi reciter, who is one of the rare Hanafis who engaged with hadith. He has a commentary on this book. I do not know if it has been reprinted, because the Istanbul edition contains many errors. What do you know?
Al-Halabi : It is the same, our Shaykh, and they are photocopying it.

The Shaykh : It is the same, glory be to Allah. Yes, indeed. Then, afterwards, it is good for this student to advance and return to the primary books, which are the references and foundations for these later books, such as *'Ulum al-Hadith* (The Sciences of Hadith) by al-Hakim al-Nisaburi, *al-Kifayah* (The Sufficiency) by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, and *'Ulum al-Hadith* by Ibn al-Salah, with the assistance of al-Hafiz al-'Iraqi's commentary on it, and *al-Nukat al-Zarifa* (The Subtle Points) by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar on Ibn al-Salah. And now, we say that this amount is sufficient.

The questioner : There are two issues, and the answer to them, if Allah wills, will not take a long time.

The Shaykh : Take five minutes until the end of the eleventh hour.