and the transmitters accepted by both compilers have, by necessary implication, been unanimously declared trustworthy (1). Their narrations therefore take precedence over those of others (2) in their transmissions (3), and this is a principle from which no departure is allowed except with evidence.

If a report meets the joint criterion of both of them, it stands below what Muslim actually recorded—or at most on a par with it. Should it satisfy the criterion of only one of them, then Bukhari’s criterion alone is preferred to Muslim’s criterion alone, in keeping with the standing of each compiler’s methodology.

From this (4) we obtain six categories whose degrees of soundness (5) vary, together with a seventh category: whatever fulfills neither of their criteria, whether jointly or individually. The disparity here is considered solely from the perspective just mentioned.

Yet if a lower category outweighs (6) one that is formally above it (7) on account of other factors that warrant preference, it will be advanced over that higher category, for something may occur to what is normally inferior (8) that renders it superior.