alone possesses the scholarly means by which to distinguish what is authentic in it from what is not: the very means by which authentic hadith is distinguished from weak hadith—namely, the chain of transmission. One of the early predecessors said of it: “Were it not for the chain of transmission, anyone could say whatever he wished.”
Because the other nations lost this great means, their histories became filled with absurdities and myths. There is no need to take the readers far afield: these are their books, which they call sacred scriptures, in which everything has become hopelessly intermingled. They are unable to distinguish the authentic from the weak among the laws revealed to their prophets, nor can they ever know anything of the history of their lives. Thus, they continue to wander blindly in their misguidance and to stray through the depths of darkness.
Do those people want us to surrender to everything said to be part of Islamic history, even if the scholars reject it and it is mentioned nowhere but in the books of elderly men and women? Do they want us to disbelieve in this distinguishing feature, which is among the loftiest and most precious qualities by which Islamic history is set apart?
I believe that some of them are not unaware of this distinction; indeed, no one can be a seeker of knowledge—let alone a scholar—without it. Yet he deliberately ignores it and turns a blind eye to it, concealing his ignorance of those reports that are not authentic. He then feigns zeal for Islamic history and vehemently condemns anyone who informs the Muslims of some of its unauthenticated reports, arrogantly rejecting the truth and disparaging people. Allah is the One whose help is sought.
Note: It is well known that the duff (frame drum) is among the musical instruments forbidden in Islam, whose prohibition is agreed upon by the leading imams, such as the four jurists and others. There are authentic hadith concerning this, some of which I have documented elsewhere; some have already preceded under numbers (9 and 1806). Nothing of these instruments is lawful except the duff alone at weddings and on the two Eids. If that is so, how did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, permit her to fulfil her vow, when there is no vow in disobedience to Allah Most High?
The answer—and Allah knows best—is that, since her vow was connected with her joy at his safe return, peace and blessings be upon him, from the military expedition, he likened it to beating the duff at weddings and on the Eids. There can be no doubt that rejoicing at his safe return