Is it true that the saying that the Maghazi, Sirah, and Tafsir have no sanad (chain of narration) is correct?
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The student: Some people say: There are two things that have no sanad (chain of narration), Tafsir and History. What is the validity of this statement?
The Shaykh : Yes, this is mentioned regarding Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), and he said they are three: the Maghazi, the Sirah, and the Tafsir. His intention by this is that they do not have a sanad (chain of narration) in the sense that people transmit them without an isnad (chain of narration). For example, he might say: Mujahid said such and such, Ibn Abbas said such and such, without an isnad (chain of narration) for this meaning. Similarly, in histories, you find people speaking about, for example, the Battle of Uhud, but you do not find the man saying: So-and-so narrated to me from so-and-so from so-and-so until he reaches the battle. The same is said regarding the Sirah. This is the intention of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), and his purpose by this is that when you hear such a thing that has become famous and been transmitted, you should verify it.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is mentioned regarding Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), and he said they are three: the Maghazi, the Sirah, and the Tafsir. His intention by this is that they do not have a sanad (chain of narration) in the sense that people transmit them without an isnad (chain of narration). For example, he might say: Mujahid said such and such, Ibn Abbas said such and such, without an isnad (chain of narration) for this meaning. Similarly, in histories, you find people speaking about, for example, the Battle of Uhud, but you do not find the man saying: So-and-so narrated to me from so-and-so from so-and-so until he reaches the battle. The same is said regarding the Sirah. This is the intention of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), and his purpose by this is that when you hear such a thing that has become famous and been transmitted, you should verify it.