I said: The only weakness in those reports comes from Saʿid ibn Abi ʿArubah, for Yazid heard from him after the latter’s faculties had declined.

Ahmad ibn Abi Khaythama transmitted—from Yahya—who said: “Yazid ibn Harun does not discriminate and is not particular about the people from whom he narrates.”

Ahmad ibn Abi Khaythama also related, from his father, who said: “When Yazid lost his sight he was criticized, for on occasion he would be asked about a hadith he did not recognize, so he would tell a maid-servant of his to prompt him with it from his notebook.” (1)

I say: There is nothing blameworthy in this so long as the one who dictates to him is trustworthy; and Yazid is, beyond dispute, an authoritative proof. (2)

Muhammad ibn Rafiʿ said: I heard Yahya ibn Yahya say, “In Iraq there were four hadith masters: two elders—Yazid ibn Zurayʿ and Hushaym—and two men in their prime—Wakiʿ and Yazid ibn Harun; and Yazid was the more accurate of the two.” (3)

Al-Abbar reported: I heard Ahmad ibn Khalid say: I heard Yazid ibn Harun say, “I heard the hadith of al-ṣūr (the Trumpet) once and memorized it; I have committed twenty thousand hadiths to memory—let anyone who wishes try to insert into them even a single letter!” (4)