➤ The Shar‘i Ruling on Quoting Hadiths Without Knowing Their Authenticity
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 3 – Principles, Verification of Narrations, and Their Rulings, Page 214
Is it permissible for a person who is unaware of the authenticity or weakness of Hadiths to present weak and rejected narrations as evidence?
What is the ruling for someone who knowingly quotes both authentic and weak Hadiths?
Is it permissible for such a person to narrate Hadiths?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
If a person is unfamiliar with the authenticity or weakness of Hadiths, then it is not permissible for him to quote any narration from books other than Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
The reason is that he might unknowingly quote a weak or rejected narration assuming it to be reliable, thus becoming liable under the warning mentioned in the following Hadith:
"Whoever lies upon me intentionally, let him take his place in the Hellfire."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 108, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 32)
This severe warning includes even those who narrate fabricated or doubtful Hadiths without knowledge, as they contribute to the spread of false information attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
If someone knows the difference between authentic and weak Hadiths, yet he intentionally presents a weak narration with certainty and without clarification, then such an act is a serious offense in Islam.
It is considered a major violation of the responsibility entrusted to scholars and students of knowledge.
(11 March 2013)
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 3 – Principles, Verification of Narrations, and Their Rulings, Page 214
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a person who is unaware of the authenticity or weakness of Hadiths to present weak and rejected narrations as evidence?
What is the ruling for someone who knowingly quotes both authentic and weak Hadiths?
Is it permissible for such a person to narrate Hadiths?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
➊ Ruling for a Person Unaware of Hadith Authenticity:
If a person is unfamiliar with the authenticity or weakness of Hadiths, then it is not permissible for him to quote any narration from books other than Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
The reason is that he might unknowingly quote a weak or rejected narration assuming it to be reliable, thus becoming liable under the warning mentioned in the following Hadith:
"Whoever lies upon me intentionally, let him take his place in the Hellfire."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 108, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 32)
This severe warning includes even those who narrate fabricated or doubtful Hadiths without knowledge, as they contribute to the spread of false information attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
➋ Ruling for a Person Aware of Hadith Authenticity:
If someone knows the difference between authentic and weak Hadiths, yet he intentionally presents a weak narration with certainty and without clarification, then such an act is a serious offense in Islam.
It is considered a major violation of the responsibility entrusted to scholars and students of knowledge.
(11 March 2013)ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
