The aim here is to clarify the nature of what is transmitted, whether it comes from the infallible Messenger or from someone else. This constitutes the first category: within it are reports whose soundness or weakness can be determined, and others for which such determination is impossible.

As for this second subdivision—the transmissions about which we have no means to reach certainty—their investigation is fruitless, and discussing them is mere idle talk. Whatever Muslims truly need to know, Allah has furnished conclusive evidence for it.

Accordingly, when the Successors disagree, none of their opinions constitutes binding proof against the others; yet whatever is reliably reported from a Companion sits more securely in the heart than what is reported from a Successor.

The first category—reports whose authenticity can be ascertained—does indeed exist concerning what the community requires, and all praise is due to Allah. Hence, in every matter needed for the religion, Allah has set up proofs that expose what within the transmitted material is sound and what is otherwise.

When mursal reports come through multiple, independent chains that are free of deliberate collusion or even coincidental agreement, they are certainly authentic. By this method, the truth of most transmitted materials that possess such varied, converging lines of transmission becomes evident, even when no single chain would suffice on its own, whether because it is mursal or because its transmitter is weak.

This principle must be understood, for it is a valuable foundation for reaching firm conclusions about many transmitted matters—hadith, Qurʾanic exegesis, the Prophet’s campaigns, and the reported words and deeds of people, among other things.