Book: Siyar A'lam An-Nubala by Ad-Dhahabi - سير أعلام النبلاء ـ الإمام الذهبي

Critique of the Narrators by Al-Hafiz Al-Dhahabi

The esteemed Al-Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, was attentive in critiquing the translators and addressing certain doctrinal, jurisprudential, and hadith-related errors and deviations. The perceptive reader will observe his responses disseminated across the biographies within the book. A special section in this preamble is dedicated to his doctrinal, jurisprudential, and hadith viewpoints, including some of the scholars' statements and Al-Dhahabi's critiques of them, using both transmitted and rational evidences to convincingly establish his arguments against dissenters. This signifies his deep-rooted expertise and proficiency in the Islamic sciences.

Al-Hafiz also focused on critiquing the narrators of hadith, citing the remarks of hadith critics concerning the subject of the biography. He might favor one opinion over another regarding the person and substantiate it. Al-Hafiz, may Allah have mercy on him, stated in "Siyar" 6/563: Ahmad bin Hanbal said, "It reached Ibn Abi Dhi'b that Malik did not accept the hadith on 'two sellers having the option.' So he [Ibn Abi Dhi'b] said, 'He should be asked to repent; if he repents, he is spared, otherwise, he should be executed.' Then Ahmad said: 'He is more pious and truthful than Malik.'

Al-Dhahabi followed up on this remark in "Siyar" 6/564 by saying:

"I say, had he been as pious as one ought to be, he wouldn't have uttered such a disgraceful statement against a great Imam. Malik did not act on the literal interpretation of the hadith because he considered it abrogated. It is said he acted upon it by interpreting the phrase 'until they part' as referring to the verbal exchange of offer and acceptance. Thus, Malik, in handling this hadith—and indeed with any hadith he engaged with—has his reward, and if he was correct, he would obtain an additional reward. The idea of employing the sword against someone who errs in ijtihad pertains to the Khawarij. In all respects, remarks made by peers against one another should not heavily influence one's assessment. Neither did Ibn Abi Dhi'b's statement diminish the greatness of Malik nor did scholars depreciate Ibn Abi Dhi'b for what he said. Both were erudite scholars in Medina during their era, and Imam Ahmad did not take a firm stance on it, suggesting perhaps it was not authentic."

Further Commentary

In "Siyar" 6/567, it is noted:

Uthman Al-Darimi mentioned, "I asked Yahya about the standing of Ibn Abi Dhi'b concerning Al-Zuhri?" He replied, "Ibn Abi Dhi'b is trustworthy."

Al-Dhahabi added: "I say, he is reliable and commendable. Muhammad bin Uthman bin Abi Shaybah said: I asked Ali about him, and he replied, 'He was deemed trustworthy among us, yet they criticized him for certain matters he narrated from Al-Zuhri.' Ahmad affirmed his trustworthiness but did not approve of him for Al-Zuhri."