Question

If a weak Hadith is supported by another weak Hadith then generally that Hadith becomes hasan lighayrihi.

1. What will be the ruling of two weak Hadiths which have the weakness at the same level?

In a case where both the weak narrations, are at the level of Atba’ Al-Tabi’in, there is a weak narrator or there’s jahalah in the rawi. Will both the narrations still be classed as weak or will they elevate to the level of hasan?

2. Will the same principle be used when elevating hasan to sahih, meaning that the weakness in memory cannot occur at the same level or be the same person?

Answer

1. It is ideal for the supporting narrator to be from the same era. The two chains will indeed support each other and raise the level to Hasan li ghayrihi, on condition that the weakness is not extreme.

In the case of Jahalah, there shouldn’t be any possibility of the majhul in both chains being the same person. In that case, they will be treated as one and the same chain, and will not be considered as support.

2. Here too, the supporting narrator being on the same level is the ideal, and thus the Hadith will rise up to the level of Sahih lighayrihi. If the second chain has the same narrator, it will not be considered as support. As explained above.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar