al-Tustari, Abū ʿAwanah al-Waddāḥ, and many others besides them.

By the unanimous verdict of the scholars he is an authority whenever he explicitly states that he heard the narration, for he practised tadlīs and was well known for it. He also inclined toward the Qadari doctrine concerning predestination—may Allah pardon us.

Even so, no one ever questioned his truthfulness, uprightness, or remarkable memory. Perhaps Allah will excuse people like him who, while adopting an innovation, only sought to exalt and declare the transcendence of the Creator and did their utmost. Allah is the Just Judge, Gentle with His servants, and He is not to be questioned about what He does.

Moreover, when a senior imam of learning is predominantly correct, is known to pursue the truth, possesses vast knowledge, displays keen intelligence, and is recognized for his righteousness, piety, and adherence to the Sunnah, his slips are forgiven. We do not declare him deviant, cast him aside, or ignore his virtues.

Yes, we do not follow him in his innovation or error; rather, we hope that he will repent from it.

Maʿmar said: “Qatādah stayed with Saʿīd ibn al-Musayyib for eight days. On the third day Saʿīd said to him, ‘Move on, O blind man, for you have exhausted me.’⦗1⦘”

Maʿmar also said: “I heard Qatādah say, ‘There is not a single verse in the Qur’an except that I have heard something about it.’”

From him it is also related that he said, “I never heard anything without memorising it.”

ʿAbd al-Razzāq said: “Qatādah was from the clan of Bakr ibn Wāʾil.”

Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn said: “Qatādah was born in the year 60 AH and was from Sadūs.”

Imām Aḥmad said: “Qatādah and al-Aʿmash were born in the same year.”

ʿAbd al-Razzāq, reporting from Maʿmar, said: It was asked of al-Zuhrī, “Who is more knowledgeable according to you, Qatādah or Makḥūl?” He replied, “No, rather Qatādah; Makḥūl had only a little.”

ʿAbd al-Razzāq, from Maʿmar, also narrated that Muḥammad ibn Sīrīn said, “Qatādah is the most memorising of people—or among the most memorising.”

Abū Hilāl al-Rāsibī, from Ghālib al-Qaṭṭān, from Bakr al-Muzanī, reported: “Whoever would be delighted …”