For all of them (1) are encompassed by the description of uprightness and reliable retention; nevertheless, the first tier (2) among them (3) possesses such pre-eminent qualities that (4) their transmissions must be given priority over those of the tier immediately below it (5). That second tier, in turn, enjoys a degree of precision that (6) warrants according it precedence (7) over the third, and this third tier (8) still outranks the reports of narrators whose solitary transmissions are merely regarded (9)(10) as sound (ḥasan)—such as the isnād of Muhammad b. Isḥāq (11) from ʿĀṣim b. ʿUmar (12)(13) from Jābir, and the isnād of ʿAmr b. Shuʿayb, from his father, from his grandfather (14). Assess every other comparable level in the same way (15).
(1) MSS A, W, and Z read “shamalahum” (encompassed them).
(2) MSS J, H, and M read “lil-martaba” (for the rank).
(3) The word “fihim” (in them) is absent from B, J, H, and M.
(4) In B: “taqdimu” occurs in the nominative; the adopted reading follows J and D.
(5) MS M reads “yaliha” (follows it).
(6) MS Z reads “taqtadi” (requires).
(7) MSS B and D read “taqdimuha” in the nominative; the edition follows A, J, W, K, and M.
(8) MSS W and Z add: “ay: al-thalitha” (i.e., the third).
(9) MS K has “yaʿuddu,” with fatḥa on the yāʾ and ḍamma on the ʿayn; the adopted reading is that of B, J, D, W, Z, H, and M.
(10) MS B reads “mā yatafarrad.”
(11) MS W reads “ka-Muhammadin” in the genitive with tanwīn; the edition follows K.
(12) MS D reads “ʿĀṣimin” in the genitive with tanwīn; the edition follows Z.
(13) MS L adds “ibn Qatadah.”
He is ʿĀṣim b. ʿUmar b. Qatadah b. al-Nuʿmān al-Awsi al-Ansari, Abū ʿUmar al-Madani, trustworthy and versed in the accounts of the Prophet’s campaigns; he died sometime after 120 AH. See Ibn Hajar, Taqrib al-Tahdhib, p. 286.
(14) The person referred to is ʿAbd Allah b. ʿAmr b. al-ʿAs (may Allah be pleased with him). In the margin of W, in the author’s own hand, appears: “thumma balagha kadhalik” (then it likewise reached).
(15) MS A reads “mā shabihahā” (something similar to it).