Ranks of the Expressions Used for Discrediting Transmitters

Discrediting (jarḥ) likewise has its own tiers:

The most severe of them (1) is to describe a narrator with wording that conveys the highest degree of censure (2). The clearest example is the use of the superlative form, such as: “the most mendacious of people” (3). Comparable are statements like: “he has reached the limit in fabrication,” “he is (4) the very pillar of falsehood,” and the like.

Next in severity is to call him “dajjal,” “fabricator,” or simply “liar” (5). These terms, though exaggerated, are still below the previous category.

The mildest of the discrediting expressions (6) is when they say of someone: “so-and-so is lenient,” “poor in memory,” or “there is the slightest criticism against him.”

Between the harshest and the mildest levels lie intermediate ranks that are plain to see (8). Thus, saying (9) “abandoned,” “discarded,” “grossly mistaken,” or “his ḥadīth is rejected” (10) is more severe than saying: “weak,” “not strong,” or “there is criticism concerning him.”