and he went on to relate that al-Ismāʿīlī transmitted from a man who had heard al-Bukhārī say, “I have not set down in the book anything but what is sound.” He (al-Bukhārī) added, “What I left out of the sound reports is even more.”

One of the poets said:
“Sahih al-Bukhari—were justice done it—
would be written in nothing but liquid gold;
It draws the line between eyesight and blindness,
a rampart that shields the youth from ruin.
Its chains of transmission glitter like the stars of heaven
before texts that blaze like meteors (1).
By it the balance of the Prophet’s religion was set aright,
and after the Arabs the non-Arabs embraced it.
A sure barrier against the Fire, without a doubt,
distinguishing between divine favor and wrath.
A gossamer veil leading to the Chosen One,
a lucid text that lifts every doubt.
O scholar whose exalted station all scholars acclaim!
You outstripped the imams in what you collected,
and—whether they like it or not—took the prize (2).
You banished the weak among the transmitters
and all who were suspected of fabrication.
You showcased, in its fine arrangement and chaptering,
wonders upon wonders.
So may your Lord grant you every desire
and bestow upon you the richest share of His gifts (3).”

172 – al-Bayrūtī, Abū al-Faḍl al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Walīd * (D, S)
The imam, the authoritative scholar, the Qur’an reciter, the hadith master, Abū al-Faḍl, al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Walīd ibn