Question
What is the status of the Hadith narrator Shahr ibn Hawshab?
Answer
The Masters of Jarh and Ta’deel (the field of critical analysis of the Hadith narrators) have varied statements about Shahr ibn Hawshab (rahimahullah), which leads one to conclude there is a degree of slight weakness in him.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has explained that if Shahr ibn Hawshab (rahimahullah) doesn’t oppose others in a particular narration, that one will be deemed as sound (hasan).
(Nataijul Afkar, vol. 1, pg. 361 and Al-Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 2, pg. 130. Also see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1189, Taqribut Tahdhib, number: 2830 Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol, 4, pg. 369-372 & Al-Kashif, number: 2314 with Ibnul ‘Ajami’s Hashiyah)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar