Is Iḍṭirāb (Narrative Inconsistency) a Cause of Weakness?
Source: Fatāwā Amnpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amnpūrī
❖ Question
Is iḍṭirāb (inconsistency in narrations) a cause of weakness (ḍaʿf)?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
- If reconciliation (tatbīq) between the inconsistent narrations is not possible, then iḍṭirāb is indeed a cause of weakness.
✿ Statement of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (رحمه الله, d. 852H)
“Inconsistency (iḍṭirāb) is a cause of weakness when the different versions are equal (in strength) and reconciliation or preference among them is not possible.”
(Taghlīq al-Taʿlīq 3/193)
◈ Conclusion
- Iḍṭirāb leads to a narration being weak only if no reconciliation or preference is possible.
- If reconciliation is possible, then the narration may still be accepted.
والله أعلم بالصواب
