and He is truthful in what He has related about them, since what matters is the meaning of their words, not the words themselves. Likewise, people transmit scholars’ positions and statements without using their exact words, and they agree that this is permissible.

When the meaning of a hadith of the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is understood, the majority permit it to be narrated in meaning rather than verbatim. Those who prohibit this do so only out of fear that the transmitter may fail to convey the meaning intended by the Messenger. When the meaning is known, however, there is no doubt that this is permissible.