Question
If a Fiqh book or a Jurist cites a narration of a Sahabi or a Tabi’i without a chain of narration, do we consider it to be authentic or is it treated as a weak Hadiths?
Answer
Hadiths cited in Fiqh books or other non-primary sources are usually quoted without a chain. They will not automatically be declared reliable or unreliable. The narration will be sourced from a primary Hadith source. Thereafter, one will search for a grading of the Hadith from a Muhaddith of the past.
If we are unable to locate the narration cited in a Fiqh book in any of the Hadith sources available to us, nor can we locate a chain of narrators, then the ideal would be for us to abstain from quoting that particular narration. However, the following should be borne in mind:
- The Fiqh ruling mentioned in a reliable Fiqh book of that madhab will be the final ruling regardless if we are able to source the narration in a Hadith book (available to us) or not. This is due to the possibility of that Hadith not reaching us. A muqallid (follower of a madhab) will follow the dictates of the madhab, whether he knows the proof or not.
- The objective of a Fiqh book usually, is to gather the different rulings. The proofs mentioned therein are not the primary focus. Very often, the mujtahid of the madhab did not use the proof cited by the jurist. Rather, the jurist who came centuries after the mujtahid felt that this Hadith could be used as a proof.
(Refer: Atharul Hadith of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah-, pgs. 209-222 and here)
Also see here
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar