Some scholars have said: “When a report is weak because the transmitter’s memory was poor, he became confused, or he practiced tadlīs (concealing the true source), yet his honesty and religious commitment are unquestioned, the flaw can be remedied by the existence of several independent chains.

However, if the weakness arises from an accusation of deliberate lying, from shudhūdh (contradicting stronger narrations), or from gross error, multiplicity of chains does not repair it. The hadith remains judged weak, though it may still be followed in matters of virtuous deeds.

On this basis the statement should be understood that the mere addition of one weak chain to another weak chain does not confer strength. Otherwise, such a claim is plainly unsound—so reflect.”