nor may one (1) abbreviate it by omitting parts of it, nor (2) replace one wording with another that is merely synonymous (3), except for a scholar (4) who is fully versed in the shades of meaning carried by words and (5) in those factors that could overturn the intended sense. This is the sound ruling in both matters (6).
As for abridging an individual hadith, the majority hold it permissible on condition that the person who shortens it is knowledgeable (7); for a scholar (8) omits nothing from the report except what bears no relation to the portion he retains (9), so that (10) the meaning is not altered (11) nor the clarity impaired (12). In such a case, what is cited and what is omitted stand like two independent statements (13), or the part retained points to the part left out. A layman, by contrast, may (14) delete something essential—such as dropping an exception clause—and thereby distort the meaning.
(1) In MS H (letter ḥa) the wording is "ikhtisar" (abridgment); MS T has "aw al-ikhtisar" (or the abridgment); MS K reads "wa-l-ikhtisar" (and the abridgment) in place of "wa la al-ikhtisar" (and not the abridgment). MS H (letter haa) gives "al-ikhtisari" in the genitive, and the vocalization adopted follows MSS J, W, and T.
(2) MS H (letter ḥa) reads "aw" (or) instead of "wa la" (and not).
(3) MS B has "bi-ibdal" (with substitution); MS H (letter haa) reads "ibdali" in the genitive; the edition follows MSS W and K.
(4) MS Z supplies "lil-alim" (for the scholar).
(5) MS T reads "bima" (with what) without the prefixed conjunction.
(6) In the margin of MS W, in the author’s own hand, is written: "Then it was collated likewise."
(7) See al-Kifaya by al-Khatib, p. 188, and Ibn al-Salah’s Muqaddima, p. 190.
(8) The pointing follows MSS H and W and is sound; it could also be parsed according to the nasara conjugational pattern. See Taj al-Arus 18:188–189.
(9) MS B has "yubq-qihi" with a doubled qaf. Al-Qari notes in Sharh Sharh al-Nukhba (p. 495): "The lighter form is preferable, though gemination is allowed; i.e., it means ‘what is left.’"
(10) MS D reads "haythu" (whereas).
(11) MS D has "yakhtalif" (differs); the word is left unpointed in MS A.
(12) MS Z shows "bil-bayan" (by explanation).
(13) MS D reads "al-khabarayn" (the two reports).
(14) MS K has "yanqus" (diminishes) with a fatha on the ya and a damma on the qaf; the adopted reading follows MSS J and W.