Question

If a Muhaddith is saying “la ba-sa bihi” (لا بأس به) then is he praising a narrator or criticising him?

Answer

La ba-sa bihi (لا بأس به) is a term Muhaddithun use to show credibility of a narrator. It is not of the highest level and this narrators Hadiths are usually termed hasan (sound).

(Refer: Tadribur Rawi, vol. 4, pg. 184)

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, especially since certain Muhaddithun could have their own personal usage and definition of this term.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

The field of Hadith criticism (Al-Jarh wat Ta’dil) is a very vast and intricate one. Superficial knowledge of it is more harmful than its total ignorance.