by some critics. The two belong to the same generation of narrators, so this should be noted and they should not be confused with one another.

7—As for the hadith of Abdullah ibn al-Shikhkhir, it is narrated by al-Hasan ibn al-Hakam ibn Tahman: Sayyar Abu al-Hakam narrated to us, saying: I heard Mutarrif ibn Abdullah ibn al-Shikhkhir narrate from his father, in an abbreviated form, with the wording:

“He would say: ‘O Allah, grant me enjoyment of my hearing and sight, and make it endure until my death.’”

It was recorded by al-Bazzar (4/60/3195); and through his route by al-Diya in al-Mukhtarah (58/83/2–84/1), and by al-Tabarani, as cited in al-Majmaʿ (10/178). He said:

“It contains al-Hasan ibn al-Hakam ibn Tahman, who is weak, while the rest of its narrators are trustworthy.”

I say: A number of trustworthy narrators transmitted from him. Abu Hatim said of him:

“How close he is to Abdullah ibn al-Ala ibn Khalid! His hadith is acceptable; he is not markedly inconsistent in his reports.”

Abu Hatim described Ibn al-Ala as “acceptable.” Ibn Adi cited for him (2/325) two well-known hadiths through routes other than his, then said:

“He has only a few hadiths, and the most objectionable reports I have seen from him are those I have mentioned.”

Al-Dhahabi said in al-Mizan:

“Criticism was voiced regarding him, but he was not abandoned. Ibn Adi cited two hadiths of his, but their texts are well known.”

I say: Someone of his standing may be used as corroborative evidence, if his hadith is not good. This is also indicated by al-Diya’s inclusion of his hadith in al-Mukhtarah. And Allah knows best.