Ranks of the Expressions Used for Commending Transmitters

Among the matters that must also be known is the hierarchy of commendatory terms.

The highest tier is to describe a narrator with wording that conveys the greatest degree of praise (1). The clearest instance of this is to use the superlative form, such as: “the most trustworthy of people,” “the firmest of people in accuracy” (2), or “he has reached the pinnacle of meticulous verification” (3).

Next come the expressions that are strengthened by one adjective of approval (4) or by two (5), for example: “thiqah, thiqah” (eminently trustworthy) (6); “thabt, thabt” (highly precise); “thiqah ḥāfiẓ” (trustworthy and possessing an exceptional memory); “ʿadl ḍābiṭ” (upright and exact) (7); and similar phrases (8).

The lowest tier is wording that suggests the narrator is only slightly above the lightest level of discredit, such as: “shaykh,” “his ḥadīth is narrated,” “he may be considered,” and the like.

Between these extremes lie intermediate ranks that are plain to the specialist (9).

Rulings Connected to the Acceptance of Discredit and Commendation

The following are rulings related to this subject, which I present here (10) to complete the benefit (11). I say: