Question

How reliable is the Hadith narrator Abu Khalid Ad-Dalani? He has narrated Hadiths present in Sunan Abi Dawud (3106) as well as Sunan Tirmidhi (2083).

Answer

Abu Khalid, Yazid ibn ‘Abdir Rahman, Ad-Dalani (rahimahullah) was a well known Muhaddith.

Notwithstanding the fact that he was a well-known Muhaddith, the Muhaddithun have differed with regards to his reliability.

On one hand, Imams such as Ibn Ma’in, ‘Ijli, and Abu Hatim (rahimahumallah) have all accepted him to be reliable. Some Muhaddithun like Imams Ahmad and Nasai (rahimahumallah), as well as others, have considered him slightly credible (لا بأس به). Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has mentioned that the Aimmah amongst the Mutaqaddimun have testified to his truthfulness and meticulousness. (إن الأئمة المتقدمين شهدوا له بالصدق والإتقان).

On the other hand, there were other Muhaddithun that have mentioned he was weak or slightly weak. Ibn Sa’d and Abu ‘Ishaq Al-Harbi (rahimahumallah) have mentioned that he was weak (منكر الحديث). Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullah) has considered him slightly weak (ليس بحجة).

Some Muhaddithun like Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) have mentioned that he made a lot of mistakes (كان كثير الخطأ).

‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared him sound (حسن الحديث) and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has echoed similar sentiments, but adds that he does often err. (صدوق يخطئ كثيرا وكان يدلس)

Overall, his Hadith could be graded as sound (Hasan) on condition it isn’t declared as one of his mistakes.

(References for all of the above: Ma’rifatuth Thiqat: 2133, Al-Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 2, pg. 422, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 12, pg. 82, and Taqribut Tahdhib, number: 8072; Also see: ‘Ilalut Tirmidhi, Hadith: 43, Mizanul I’itidal, vol. 5, pg. 162, number: 9180, Al-Kashif along with the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah: 6600, Ta’rifu Ahlit Taqdis bi Maratibit Tadlis, pg. 118, and Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah’s footnotes on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 18023)

Note: The above is merely an answer to the question provided. One who is unqualified, should not seek to apply this and/or draw conclusions on related issues independently.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar