[Addition within Connected Chains]
Or, if the discrepancy is caused by the insertion of an extra transmitter (1) within (2) the chain, and the narrator who does not mention this addition is more accurate than the one who does (3), then the report is classed as al-mazīd fī muttasil al-asānīd (addition within connected chains) (4).
Its condition is that an explicit statement of hearing be found at the very point of the addition; otherwise, whenever the transmission is muʿanʿan (5)—for example (6)—the side containing the addition is deemed stronger.
[The Muḍṭarib]
Or (7), should the discrepancy result from a substitution made by the transmitter himself and no factor gives preference (8) to either of the two versions, this is the muḍṭarib (conflicted) report. Such confusion (9) usually occurs in the isnād, though it may also (10) appear in the text. Nonetheless, it is rare for a ḥadith critic to declare a report muḍṭarib (11) solely on account of a variance (12) in the wording when the chain is unaffected.
(1) Manuscript M reads: “rawihi” (its narrator).
(2) Manuscript A reads: “min” (from).
(3) Manuscript A reads: “zawaha” (he put them aside).
(4) Manuscript L reads: “al-isnad” (the chain of transmission), while a copy annotated in its margin has: “al-asanid” (the chains of transmission).
(5) Manuscript H reads: “muʿanʿinan” (in the muʿanʿan form, i.e., introduced by ʿan); the adopted wording follows W and K. Al-Qari notes in Sharh Sharh al-Nukhbah, p. 480, that the term is in the passive participle.
(6) Manuscript H has: “mudda” (a period), which is a scribal error.
(7) The word “in” (if) is absent from manuscripts B, W, and Z.
(8) The phrase “ʿala al-ukhra” (over the other) is absent from K.
(9) Manuscript Y reads: “wa-qad” (and indeed); K adds “kama” (just as); a marginal note on L has “wa-hadha” (and this).
(10) Manuscript K reads: “qad” (indeed) without the prefixed conjunction.
(11) Manuscripts H, W, and Z read: “bi-idtirab” (with inconsistency).
(12) Manuscripts W and Z read: “ikhtilaf” (discrepancy), while H has “al-itlaq” (unrestricted usage).