Question

My question is in relation to the number of narrators found at every level, in order to class a narration as Mutawatir or Khabar wahid.

What is meant by each stage (Tabaqah)?

Many times, individuals narrate Hadith to people of their own age and their own generation. In this instance, will both the narrators be regarded as of the same Tabaqah or different Tabaqah?

Answer

It would be easier to comment if you have a specific example.

However, hypothetically speaking, in the case you have cited they could be considered as two tabaqahs.

Definition of Tabaqah

A Tabaqah is more popularly defined based on the teachers one met, rather than the age group. Although the age group is also important and usually tallies out too.

(Sharh Nukhbah, pg. 134 and Shaykh ‘Awwamahs introduction to Taqribut Tahdhib, pg. 75)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar