—for instance, to elucidate a point of language, to clarify the meaning, to qualify what is unrestricted, or the like—then the report is described as interpolated (mudraj).

Note

Transmitting a ḥadīth by meaning

This discussion leads us to the question of relating and conveying a ḥadīth according to its sense rather than its exact wording, an issue over which the scholars have differed.

• The majority maintain that it is permissible for someone who is thoroughly versed in Arabic, skilled in its rhetorical styles, and acquainted with the subtleties of its constructions and the implications of speech, so that he will not err by addition or omission.

• Others say it is permissible with individual words but not with compound phrases.

• Yet others allow it for the one who still remembers the original wording, so that he may exercise discretion in phrasing it.

• A further opinion permits it for the person who retains the meanings of the ḥadīth but has forgotten its wording, out of necessity for deriving legal rulings; but if he still recalls the exact words, it is not permissible, because there is no such necessity.

These are the points of disagreement concerning whether it is allowed at all.

Transmitting the exact wording is preferable

As for the superiority of reporting a ḥadīth verbatim, without any alteration, that is unanimously agreed upon, because of the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears my words, commits them to memory, and conveys them just as he heard them.”