The Prophetic Constitution of Madinah by Dr Muhammad Al-Massari

- The following came stated in in “Taqrib At-Tahdhib” [Ibn Hajar] (1/460/5617): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani Al- Madani is Da’if (weak). Those who attributed lying to him were excessive. (He was from) the seventh (i.e. generation or line of transmission)].

- However, in “Irwaa’ Al-Ghalil”, by Al-Albani (5/155), the following was stated: [Al-Hafizh (i.e. ibn Hajar) said [in Al-Fat’h – (4/371)]: [And Kathir bin Abdullah is Da’if in the view of the majority however Al- Bukahri and those who followed him like At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Khuzaimah strengthen his affair (or status)].

- The following came recorded in “At-Tarikh Al-Kabir” [Al-Bukhari] (7/217/945): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani Al- Madani listened to (or received from) his father, while Marwan bin Mu’awiyah, Isma’il bin Abu Uwais and Yahya Al-Ansari related from him]. It is recorded in another edition of “At-Tarikh Al-Kabir” by Al- Bukhari (7/96/945). Al-Bukhari did not classify him as Da’if (weak) and he did not speak about him, not even a single letter! - The following came stated in “Al-Jarh Wa At-Ta’dil” [Ibn Abu Hatim] (7/154/858): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani related from his father in addition to Muhammad bin Ka’b and Rubaih bin Abdur Rahman, while Abdul ‘Aziz bin Muhammad, Marwan bin Mu’awiyah, Ma’n bin ‘Eisa, Abdullah bin Wahb, Abdullah bin Nafi’ As-Sa’igh, Muhammad bin Khalid bin ‘Athma, Abu ‘Amir Al-‘Aqadiy. Khalid bin Makhlad, Ibn Qa’nab and Ibn Abu Uwais related from him. I heard my father saying that. Abdur Rahman related to us from Muhammad bin Hamawaih bin Al-Hasan who said: I heard Abu Talib who said: I asked Ahmad (meaning Ahmad bin Hanbal) concerning Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and he said: “Munkar (i.e. rejectable due to defectiveness in respect to) Al-Hadith, of no worth”. Abdur Rahman related to us: He said: It was read to Al-‘Abbas bin Muhammad Ad- Dawri from Yahya bin Ma’een That he said: “Kathir bin Abdullah Al- Muzani is Da’if (weak) in Hadith”. Abdur Rahman related to us. He said: I asked Abu Zur’ah about Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf. He said: “Feeble/weak in Hadith and not strong”. I said to him: Out of Bahz bin Hakim, Abdul Muhaimin and Kathir bin Abdullah, which of them is the most beloved to you? He said: “Bahz and Abdul Muhaiman are more beloved to me than him”. Abdur Rahman related to us: He said: My father was asked about Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and he said: “He is not solid/strong (Matin)”.

I say: This statement “He is not solid/strong (Matin)” is not like the statement “He is not Qawiy (strong))” and it is not synonymous with the statement “Da’if” (weak). That is because the “Matin” narrator is the one who has reached the pinnacle in respect to strength and reliability. - Contradictory statements came stated in “Tarikh ul-Islam” (10/224/330): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Zaid bin Talha Al-Yashkuri Al-Muzani Al-Madani … He related from his father and from his grandfather (by transcript), in addition to Nafi’ and Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazhi. And the following related from him: Ibn Wahb, Abdullah bin Nafi’, Al-Qa’nabi, Isma’il bin Abi Uwais and Khalq.

They agreed upon his classification of weakness and Ahmad bin Hanbal rejected his Hadith.

Ash-Shafi’iy said: He is a pillar from among the pillars of Al-Kadhib (deceit/untruth). Abu Dawud said similar to that.

‘Abbas related from Ibn Ma’een (that he i.e. Kathir is): “Da’if (weak)”. Ad-Darimiy related from Ibn Ma’een: He has no worth.

An-Nasa’i said: “He is left or disregarded (i.e. not related from)” and Ad-Daraqutniy said the same.

As for At-Tirmidhi, then he began to dictate and said: “I said to Muhammad: There is the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather, related to the (subject area) of the time of the Jumu’ah prayer. He said: It is a Hasan Hadith, however Ahmad bin Hanbal classifies Kathir as being Da’if (weak)”.

Ibn Hibban said: “Kathir relates from his father, from his grandfather a fabricated transcript. It is not permissible to mention him except from the angle of astonishment”. I said: He died in the year 163 AH] [End of quote].

I say: There is no meaning (or significance) to the statement: “They agreed upon his classification of weakness” when there exists an attestation of credibility from the chief of fairness and moderation Imam Al-Bukhari, in addition to the insignificant speech of Abu Hatim, who is from the prone to extremity and stubbornness! The truth is that Ad-Daraqutni only mentioned him as part of a list, without commentary, amongst a group of narrators, in his book “The weak and disregarded” (Ad-Du’afa’ Wa Al-Matrukin”. The speech attributed to Abu Dawud contradicts the fact that he published some of the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah and no disagreement resulted over them, when he wrote with them to the people of Makkah. The most likely explanation in my view, is that he related the speech of Imam Ash-Shafi’iy and followed it in the beginning, as is evident in “Tahdhib Al-Kamal” (24/136/4948) and in “Tahdhib At-Tahdhib” (8/377/753); the texts of which will be presented soon. Then (after that), it the incorrectness of the accusation became evident to him and so he recorded his relations within his Sunan. Al-Hafizh bin Hajar himself appears to be of two minds as his speech in “Al-Fat’h” is not consistent with what he stated in his summary in “At-Taqrib”. The matter is therefore ambiguous and as such it is necessary to undertake a precise study of the circumstances or status of this man.

- The following came recorded in “Ad-Du’afaa’ Al-Kabir” by Al- ‘Uqailiy (4/4/1555): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani. Ahmad bin Zukair Al-Hadrami related to us from Ahmad bin Sa’id Al-Fihriy, from Ibrahim bin Al-Mundhir, from Mutarrif bin Abdullah, who said: “I saw Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Awf Al-Muzani. He was very quarrelsome and none of our companions would take from him”. So, Ibn ‘Imran Al-Qadi said to him: “O Kathir, you are a foolish person, you quarrel in respect to that which we don’t know. You make claims to that which you don’t have and you don’t have evidence for what you seek. So, don’t approach me unless you see me making time for the people of foolishness or idleness. If you see the people of foolishness in my company then come on over”. Ibrahim said: Mutarrif said to me: Ibn ‘Imran was among us one day, when Kathir bin Abdullah came to him and so he said: “Did I not say to you, don’t approach me unless you see me with the foolish (or idle) people?” Kathir then said to him: “You have said the truth, may Allah make good the affair of the Qadi. Indeed, I only came to you when the people of foolishness came to you. So and so and so and so came to you. They are both from the people of foolishness (or idleness) and so I came along with them both”. Abdullah bin Ahmad related to us: He said: I heard my father saying: “Hussein bin Abdullah bin Dumairah and Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf do not add up to anything together, they are similar, not worth anything”. My father rejected the Ahadeeth of Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and as such, he did not relate them to us. Muhammad bin ‘Eisa related to us from ‘Abbas who said: I heard Yahya saying: Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, his grandfather had companionship (Suhbah i.e. with the Prophet), (but) Kathir is weak (Da’if) in respect to the Hadith”. Ahmad bin Mahmud related to us from Uthman bin Sa’id: I said to Yahya bin Ma’een: “Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, (the one) who Ma’n relates from, how is he (i.e. his condition)?” He said: “He is nothing or of no worth”].

- The following came stated in “Tahdhib Al-Kamal” [Al-Mizzi] (24/136/4948): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Zaid bin Milhah Al-Muzani Al-Madani related from Bakr bin Abdur Rahman Al-Muzani Al-Basari, Rabih bin Abdur Rahman bin Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri, his father Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazhi and Nafi’ the Mawla of Ibn ‘Umar. While all of the following related from him: Ibrahim bin ‘Ali Ar-Rafi’iy, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Farazi, Ishaq bin Ibrahim Al-Hanini, Ishaq bin Ja’far Al-‘Alawiy, Isma’il bin Abu Uwais, Khalid bin Makhlad Al-Qatawani, Zaid bin Al- Habbab, Al-‘Abbas bin Abu Shamla At-Taimi, Abu Uwais Abdullah bin Al-Madani, Abdullah bin Kathir bin Ja’far bin Akhi (brother of) Isma’il bin Ja’far, Abdullah bin Maslamah Al-Qa’nabi, Abdullah bin Nafi’ As- Sa’igh, Abdullah bin Wahb Al-Misriy, Abu Al-Ja’d Abdur Rahman bin Abdullah As-Silmiy, Abdul ‘Aziz bin Abu Thabit Az-Zuriy, Abdul ‘Aziz bin Muhammad Ad-Darawardi, Abu ‘Amir Abdul Malik bin ‘Amr Al- ‘Aqadiy, ‘Attaf bin Khalid Al-Makhzumi, Al-Qasim bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar Al-‘Umariy, Muhammad bin Isma’il bin Abu Fudaik, Muhammad bin Khalid bin ‘Athma, Muhammad bin ‘Umar Al-Waqidi, Muhammad bin Fulaih bin Sulaiman, Abu Ghaziya Muhammad bin Musa Al-Ansari (The Qadi of Al-Madinah), Marwan bin Mu’awiyah Al- Fazari, Al-Mu’afi bin ‘Imran Al-Musuli, Ma’n bin ‘Eisa Al-Qazzaz, Yahya bin Sa’id Al-Ansari (and he was older than him). Abu Talib said: I asked Ahmad bin Hanbal about him and he said: “Munkar Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are rejected); not of any worth”. Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal said: “My father discarded the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah in the Musnad and did not narrate from him”. Abu Khaithamah said: Ahmad bin Hanbal said to me: “Do not narrate anything from him”. ‘Abbas Ad-Dawri related that Yahya bin Ma’een said to his grandfather: “Kathir is weak (Da’if) in Hadith”. In another place, he said: “He is not of any worth”. Uthman bin Sa’id Ad-Darimi related from Yahya bin Ma’een that he said: “He is not of any worth”. Abu ‘Ubaid Al-Aajiri said: Abu Dawud was asked about Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani and then said: “He was one of the liars. I heard Muhammad bin Al-Wazir Al-Misriy who said: I heard Ash-Shafi’iy when Kathir bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf was mentioned saying: “That is one of the liars or one of the pillars of lying/deceit” . Abdur Rahman bin Abu Hatim said: I asked Abu Zur’ah about him and he said: “He is weak in Hadith and not strong”. I said to him: “Bahz bin Hakim, Abdul Muhaiman and Kathir bin Abdullah: Which of them is most beloved to you?” He said: Bahz and Abdul Muhaiman are more beloved to me than him”. Abu Hatim said: “He is not Matin (solid/very strong)”. At-Tirmidhi said: I asked Muhammad in respect to the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather concerning the time that is aspired for on the day of Jumu’ah: How is he? (i.e. Kathir). He said: “The Hadith is Hasan, however Ahmad bin Hanbal classifies Kathir as Da’if (weak)”. Yahya ibn Sa’id Al-Ansari (upon his being an Imam) related from Kathir bin Abdullah. An-Nasa’i and Ad-Daraqutni said he is Matruk (discarded) in respect to the Hadith. An-Nasa’i said in another place: “He is not Thiqah (trustworthy, reliable)”. Abu Hatim bin Hibban said: “He (i.e. Kathir) related from his father from his grandfather a fabricated manuscript. It is not permissible to mention them (i.e. his Ahadeeth) in the books or to relate from him, except from the angle of astonishment”. Ibn ‘Adi said: “The majority of what he relates is not followed”. Ibrahim bin Al-Mundhir Al-Hizami related from Mutarrif bin Abdullah Al-Madani who said: “I saw him; he was very quarrelsome and none of our companions used to take from him”. So, Ibn ‘Imran Al-Qadi said to him: “O Kathir, you are a foolish person, you quarrel in respect to that which you don’t know. You make claims to that which you don’t have and you don’t have evidence for what you seek. So, don’t approach me unless you see me making time for the people of foolishness or idleness. If you see the people of foolishness in my company then come on over”. Mutarrif said: Ibn ‘Imran was among us one day, when Kathir bin Abdullah came to him and so he said: “Did I not say to you, don’t approach me unless you see me with the foolish (or idle) people?” Kathir then said to him: “You have said the truth, may Allah make good the affair of the Qadi. Indeed, I only came to you when the people of foolishness came to you. So and so and so and so came to you. They are both from the people of foolishness (or idleness) and so I came along with them both”. Al-Bukhari related from him in the chapter: “Recitation behind the Imam” and in “Actions of the Servants”, just as Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah also narrated from him] [End of quote].

- The following came stated in “Tahdhib At-Tahdhib” (8/377/753):

[Al-Bukhari in the part about the recitation, in addition to Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah: Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Zaid bin Milhah Al-Yashkuri Al-Muzani Al-Madani related from his father, Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazhi, Nafi’ the Mawla of Ibn ‘Umar, Rabih bin Abdur Rahman bin Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and Bukair bin Abdur Rahman Al-Muzani. And a group related from him (including): Yahya bin Sa’id Al-Ansari, Abu Uwais, Zaid bin Al-Habbab, Abdullah bin Wahb, Abdullah bin Nafi’, Ibrahim bin ‘Ali Ar-Rafi’, Ishaq bin Ja’far Al-‘Alawiy bin Ishaq bin Ishaq Al-Hanini, Abu ‘Amir Al- ‘Aqadiy, Marwan bin Mu’awiyah, Abu Al-Ja’d Abdur Rahman bin Abdullah As-Salmi, Muhammad bin Khalid bin ‘Athamah, Khalid bin Makhlad bin Abu Uwais, Al-Qa’nabi and others. Abu talib related from Ahmad that he said (concerning Kathir): “He is Munkar Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are rejected) and he has no worth”. Abdullah bin Ahmad said: “My father rejected the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah in his Musnad and he did not narrate to us from him”. Abu Khaithamah said: Ahmad said to me: “Do not narrate anything from him”. Ad- Dawriy related from Ibn Ma’een: “His grandfather had Suhbah (companionship with the Prophet) and he is weak in Hadith”. He said on one occasion: “He is not worth anything”. Ad-Darimi also related from Yahya bin Ma’een that he said: “He is not of any worth”. Abu ‘Ubaid Al-Aajiri said: Abu Dawud was asked about him and so he said: “He was one of the liars. I heard Muhammad bin Al-Wazir Al-Misriy who said: I heard Ash-Shafi’iy when Kathir bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf was mentioned saying: “That is one of the liars or one of the pillars of lying/deceit”. Ibn Abu Hatim said: I asked Abu Zur’ah about him and he said: “He is weak in Hadith and not strong”. I said to him: “Bahz bin Hakim, Abdul Muhaiman and Kathir bin Abdullah: Which of them is most beloved to you?” He said: Bahz and Abdul Muhaiman are more beloved to me than him”. Abu Hatim said: “He is not Matin (solid/very strong)”. At-Tirmidhi said: I asked Muhammad in respect to the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather concerning the time that is aspired for on the day of Jumu’ah: How is he? (i.e. Kathir). He said: “The Hadith is Hasan, however Ahmad bin Hanbal classifies Kathir as Da’if (weak)”. Yahya bin Sa’id Al-Ansari related from Kathir bin Abdullah. An-Nasa’i and Ad-Daraqutni said he is Matruk (discarded) in respect to the Hadith. An-Nasa’i said in another place: “He is not Thiqah (trustworthy, reliable)”. Ibn Hibban said: “He (i.e. Kathir) related from his father from his grandfather a fabricated manuscript. It is not permissible to mention them (i.e. his Ahadeeth) in the books or to relate from him, except from the angle of astonishment”. Abu Ahmad bin ‘Adi said: “The majority of what he relates is not followed”. Ibrahim bin Al- Mundhir Al-Hizami related from Mutarrif bin Abdullah Al-Madani who said: “I saw Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Awf Al-Muzani. He was very quarrelsome and none of our companions would take from him”. So, Ibn ‘Imran Al-Qadi said to him: “O Kathir, you are a foolish person, you quarrel in respect to that which you don’t know. You make claims to that which you don’t have and you don’t have that which is sought”. I say: And Abu Na’eem said: “‘Ali bin Al-Madini classified him as Da’if (weak)”. Ibn Sa’d said: “He had few Hadith which were classified as weak”. Ibn As-Sakan said: “He relates Ahadeeth from his father from his grandfather which require examination/scrutiny”. Al-Hakim said: “He related from his father from his grandfather a manuscript containing Manakir (i.e. rejected Hadith due to defects or contradictions with sound Hadith)”. And As- Sajiy, Ya’qub bin Sufyan and Ibn Al-Barqiy classified him as Da’if (weak). Ibn Abdul Barr said: “There is a consensus over his weakness”. The speech of Ibn Hazam contains precedence in respect to Kathir bin Zaid while Al-Bukhari mentioned him among “Al-Awsat” in the chapter (or topic) “Those who died between 150-160 AH] [End of quote].

- Ibn Hibban was excessive in his speech concerning him as he stated in his “Al-Majroohin” (Those examined for defects) (2/221/893): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani relates from his father from his grandfather. Marwan bin Mu’awiyah, Isma’il bin Abu Uwais related from him. He is very Munkar Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are rejected due to defects). He relates from his father from his grandfather a fabricated manuscript. It is not permissible to mention it in the books nor to narrate from him].

- However, the following came stated in “Al-Kamil Fee Du’afaa’ Ar- Rijal” [Ibn ‘Adiy] (7/187/1599): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani Al-Madani: Yahya bin Zakariya bin Hawawaih related to us from Ayub bin Sulaiman bin Safiri who said: Abu Khaithama said to me: “Ahmad bin Hanbal does not narrate anything from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani”.

Ibn Abu ‘Usmah related from Abu Talib Ahmad bin Humaid who said: I asked Ahmad bin Hanbal about Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and he said: (He is) “Munkar Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are rejected due to defects). He is not of any worth”.

And I asked him about Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al- Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather who said: “I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “Whoever draws a sword (or weapon) against us, he is not from us”. He said: “(He is) Munkar Al- Hadith” (i.e. his Hadith are rejected due to defects).

Ibn Hammad related from Abdullah, from his father who said: “Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf does not equal (or add up to) anything”. Abdullah said: “My father rejected the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah in his Musnad and he did not relate them”.

‘Alaan related to us from Ibn Abu Maryam who said: I heard Yahya bin Ma’een saying: “Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani; his Hadith are not of any worth/significance and they are not written (or recorded)”. Muhammad bin ‘Ali related to us from Uthman bin Sa’id (who said): I said to Yahya bin Ma’een: “And Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani; how is he (i.e. his status/condition)?” He said: “He is not of any worth”.

Ibn Hammad related from Mu’awiyah from Yahya (who said): I heard Yahya bin Ma’een saying: “Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Madani is Da’if (weak)”. Abdur Rahman bin Abu Bakr and Ibn Hammad related to us: They said: ‘Abbas related to us from Yahya, who said: “Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf; his grandfather had Suhbah (i.e. companionship to the Prophet) and Kathir (i.e. himself) is Da’if (weak)”.

Al-Junaidi related to us from Al-Bukhari, who said: Isma’il bin Abu Uwais related to us. He said: “I heard (or received from) Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Yazid bin Milhah Al-Muzani in the year 158 then the year 161 or 162. Yahya bin Sa’id Al-Ansari related from Kathir bin Abdullah. An-Nasa’i said: “Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf is Matruk Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are left and discarded)”.

- Bahlul bin Ishaq bin Bahlul related to us from Muhammad bin Ja’far Al-Imam, from Isma’il bin Abu Uwais, from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Zaid bin Milhah Al-Mazina, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

We went out on a military expedition with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the first expedition of the Abwaa’ (mountain between Makkah and Al-Madinah), until we reached Ar-Rawhaa’. He set down at ‘Araq Azh-Zhibya and then prayed. He then said: “Do you know the name of this mountain?” They said: “Allah and his Messenger know best”. He said: “This is Hamn. It is a mountain from among the mountains of Jannah (paradise). O Allah, bless it and bless its people in it”. He then said: “This Rawhaa’ (place) has moderate land, it’s valley is from the valleys of paradise. Seventy Prophets have prayed in this Masjid before him. Musa (peace be upon him) passed by it, wearing two cloaks with short fibres upon a grey she-camel, with seventy thousand from the children of Israel, going to perform Hajj to the sacred house. And the hour (i.e. Day of Judgement) will not come until ‘Eisa bin Maryam the slave of Allah and his Messenger will pass by it on the way to Hajj or ‘Umrah or Allah will combine that for him”..

- Bahlul related to us from Isma’il bin Abu Uwais, from Kathir Al- Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: “I fear three actions (or matters) for my Ummah (nation) after my passing”. They asked: “What are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “The slip (or error) of the ‘Alim (scholar), or the oppressive rule, or the desires which are followed”.

- With the same Isnad (chain of transmission) from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever revives a dead land without taking the right of a Muslim, then it is his and not to the unjust vein (or root) [i.e. the one who unlawfully takes possession of that which isn’t his]”.

- With the same Isnad, from his grandfather, from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said:

“There is no liability (or blood money) for the well (i.e. the one who dies accidentally), there is no liability for the wounds of beasts and for the mines, and a fifth is due from the Rikaz (buried treasure)”. . - With the same Isnad (chain of transmission) from his grandfather:

“That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to make Takbir in the two ‘Eid prayers with seven Takbirs in the first Rak’ah and with five Takbirs in the second Rak’ah, before the recital”.

- With the same Isnad (chain of transmission) from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“There is no Jalab and no Janab (meaning that animals should not be moved away from their place of grazing to the collector of Zakah), there is no obstruction and there is no trade of a townsperson for a Bedouin”.

- With the same Isnad from his grandfather who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: “A soul will not depart until there is a confederation of Muslim”. They said: “O ‘Ali” (Al-Muzanni said: Meaning ‘Ali bin Abu Talib). He said: “At your service O Messenger of Allah”. He said: “I know that you will fight the sons of the yellow people and that after you believers from the people of the Hijaz will fight them; undertaking Jihad in the way of Allah and not paying any regard of the blame of the blamer in Allah’s way. That is until they conquer Constantinople and Rome accompanied by Tasbih and Takbir. They will bring down their fortress and gain great wealth, the like of which has never been gained. That is until you will be dealing with the (distribution) of the shields (i.e. weaponry) and then a caller will cry out “O people of Islam, the Dajjal is in your lands and among your loved ones (or kinfolk). The people will then disperse from the wealth. From among them will be those who take (some of the spoils) and from them will be some who leave (the spoils). Both the one who took and the one who left will be in regret. They will then ask: Who is this one who cried out? And they won’t know who it was. They will then say: Dispatch a detachment to the land and then if the Masih (Dajjal) has come out, then he will come to you with his knowledge (or sign). They will arrive and look into the matter but they will not see anything. They will see the people in silence. They will then say: The one who called out did not do so except due to great news. So, they will be resolved and then become satisfied. And so they resolved that we would go out altogether to Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla. Then if the Masih Dajjal had come out, we would fight against him until Allah decides between us and him, and He is the best of judges. If, however it is the other (i.e. he has not come out), then they are your lands, families and army, if you return to them”..

- With the same Isnad: He said:

“We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he came to Al- Madinah. He prayed towards Bait ul-Maqdis for 16 months”.

- With the same Isnad,

that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) permitted cutting the palm fibres and two Qaamah (about 12 foot) and the highlands (or plateau) is the stick of the riding animal.

- With the same Isnad, from his grandfather, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Verily, the Deen will retreat back to the Hijaz as a snake retreats back to its hole, and the Deen will seek refuge in the Hijaz as the mountain goat seeks refuge in the mountain top. The Deen began as something strange and will return to the state it began. Blessed are the strangers and they are those who will rectify what the people after me have corrupted from my Sunnah”.

- With the same Isnad, he said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Four mountains are from the mountains of Jannah (paradise) and four rivers are from the rivers of paradise and four fierce great battles will be from the battles of paradise” It was asked: “Which mountains O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Uhud, a mountain that loves us and we love it, is a mountain from the mountains of paradise, Tur is a mountain from the mountains of paradise and Lubnan is a mountain from among the mountains of paradise. And the rivers are the Nile, Euphrates, Saihan (Oxus) and Jaihan (Jaxartes), while the fierce great battles are Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and Khaibar”.

- Muhammad bin ‘Ali bin Mu’aim Al-Baladi related to us from Muhammad bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar, from Ma’afa bin ‘Imran, from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr, from his father, from his grandfather: That the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“O gathering of the Quraish, keep me in mind in respect to my companions, their sons and the sons of their sons”.

- Muhammad bin Rabi’ bin Sulaiman Al-Jiziy related to us from Abu Umayyah At-Tarsusiy, from Mu’awiyah bin ‘Amr, from Abu Ishaq Al- Fazariy, from Ibn Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There is no plundering, no looting and no stealing from the spoils and whoever steals from the spoils will come on the Day of Judgement with that which he stole”.

- Muhammad bin Ahmad Bin Al-Hussein Al-Ahwaziy related to us from ‘Amr bin ‘Ali, from Muhammad bin Khalid bin ‘Athmah, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The final hour will not come until Allah conquers Constantinople and Rome accompanied by Tasbih and Takbir”.

- Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Abdul ‘Aziz bin Al-Ja’d related to us from Muhammad bin Ishaq Al-Masibi, from Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Salm, from Abdur Rahman bin Ibrahim, from Abdullah bin Nafi’, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather, from the Prophet (peace be upon him):

“The one who gives Zakah has attained success” He said: Zakat ul-Fitr.

- Ibn Salm related to us from Abdur Rahman, from Abdullah bin Nafi’, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father , from his grandfather, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Take guard from the slip or lapse of the ‘Aalim (scholar) and so await its recurrence”. Ahmad bin Hafs related to us from Az-Zubair bin Bakkar, from Abdullah bin Nafi’ the same as above. Ahmad bin ‘Ali Al-Mada’ini related to us, from Ahmad bin Muhammad Abu Bakr Al-Hatibi, from Ishaq Al-Janbiy who said: Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani mentioned it from his father, from his grandfather, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The same as above (i.e. “Take guard from the lapse of the ‘Aalim”).

- Ahmad bin ‘Ali related to us from Muhammad bin Khuraim Al- Qazzaz, from Hisham bin Khalid, from Marwan bin Mu’awiyah, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather:

“That the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Bilal bin Al-Harith: “O Bilal, Know!”. He said: “I am ready to know O Messenger of Allah!” He said (again) “O Bilal, know!” He said: “I am ready to know O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “O Bilal, know that indeed whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah which has died out after me, then for him is a reward similar to whoever acts upon it without diminishing anything from their rewards. And whoever introduces an erroneous innovation which Allah is not pleased with, nor His Messenger, then he shall receive sins similar to whoever acts upon it, without that diminishing anything from the sins of the people”.

- With the same Isnad from his grandfather, who said:

“I memorised from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 16 foundations from the foundations of the Deen”. He said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“There is no liability (blood money) for beasts (i.e. from being attacked), there is no liability for wells (i.e. accidents related to them) and a fifth is due from the buried treasure (Rikaz)”.

He said: “There is no Jalab and no Janab (meaning that animals should not be moved away from their place of grazing to the collector of Zakah), there is no obstruction and there is no trade of a townsperson

for a Bedouin. And there is no unlawful taking of possession, no plundering, no looting and no stealing from the spoils and whoever steals from the spoils will come with that which he stole on the Day of Judgement”.

He said: “Whoever takes charge of a Mawla from other than his Mawali, then the curse of Allah and His anger will be upon him, and nothing will be accepted from him”.

He said: “Whoever commits a crime (i.e. breaching the rights of others or the covenant), then the curse of Allah and His anger will be upon him, and nothing will be accepted from him”.

- With the same Isnad from his grandfather, he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“The Muslims are upon their conditions apart from the condition which makes the Halal (lawful) Haram (unlawful) or a condition that makes the Haram (unlawful) Halal (lawful)”.

- Abdul Wahhab bin Abu ‘Usmah related to us from Isma’il bin Yazid Al-Asbahani, from Ma’n bin ‘Eisa, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al- Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “He stood, praised Allah and extolled Him. He then said: O people, whoever from those undertaking Hajj and ‘Umrah and those who are travelling are upon deserted land have more right to water and shade and so do not prevent the people from the land (i.e. access)”.

Following this, there came, in this printed edition, a number of unconnected Ahadeeth which had no relationship with Kathir bin Abdullah at all. It appears that the origin of the error is the manuscript itself and other manuscripts can be revised and compared to this one if they can be found … (Following the mention of those unrelated Ahadeeth Ibn Adiy continues):

- He (Ibn ‘Adiy) said: Ahmad bin Hafs As-Sa’diy related to us from Ahmad bin Ibrahim Ad-Duraqiy, from Abdullah bin Nafi’, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Leave be those Abyssinians as long as they leave you be”.

- Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Basriy related from Muhammad bin Bakkar Al-‘Aishi, from Muhammad bin Isma’il bin Abu Fadaik, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) heard a man calling it green (luscious) and so he said: We are at your service. We have taken and you have from what is among you” .

- Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Basriy related from Al-‘Abbas bin Abdul ‘Azhim, from Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abu Kathir Al-Ansari, from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, from Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani:

“That when the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to relive himself, he would move away at a distance”.

- Abdullah bin Abdul Hamid Al-Wasitiy related from An-Nadr bin Salamah, from Abu ‘Uziyyah Muhammad bin Musa Al-Ansari, the Qadi (Judge) of Al-Madinah, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, who said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) standing upon the Maqam and he was saying: O people, this Qiblah, it is the Qiblah of the Masjid and the Masjid is the Qiblah of the Dunyaa (world)”.

- Muhammad bin Yusuf bin ‘Asim Al-Bukhari related to us from Ahmad bin Isma’il Al-Qurashi, from Abdullah bin Nafi’, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather:

“That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was in the Masjid. He heard speech behind him and the one saying it was saying: “O Allah assist me with which will save me from that which you have made me fearful of”. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said when he heard that: “Will you not include its sister alongside it?” The man then said: “O Allah bestow upon me the longing of the truthful to that which you have made desirable for them”. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then said to Anas bin Malik who was in his company: “Go to him O Anas and say to him that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says to you: “Seek forgiveness for me”. So, Anas went to him and conveyed that to him. The man then said: “O Anas, you are the messenger of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to me. He replied: “Just as you are”. He returned to verify it. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then said: “Say to him yes”. So, he (the man) said to him: “Go and say to him that Allah has favoured you over the Prophets like He has favoured the month of Ramadan over other months and that He has favoured your Ummah (nation) over the nations like He has favoured the day of Jumu’ah over all of the other days”. They went looking and behold it was Khadir, peace be upon him”.

- Ahmad bin Ja’far related to us from Ya’qub bin Ibrahim Ad-Duraqi, from Ibrahim bin Abdullah Ar-Rafa’iy, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather:

“That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed over the Najashi (Negus of Abyssinia) and did five Takbirs”.

- ‘Imran bin Musa related to us from Ibrahim bin Al-Mundhir, from Abu Al-Ja’d Abdur Rahman bin Abdullah As-Salmiy, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “the horse is offered the day of its watering”.

There are still a small number of Ahadeeth related by Kathir bin Abdullah from his father, from his grandfather remaining and most of his Ahadeeth which I mentioned and most of what he related, does not have that which conforms (or supports) them (i.e. he is alone in narrating them). - Bahlul bin Ishaq related to us from Isma’il bin Abu Uwais, from Kathir bin Abdullah Al-Muzani, from Rubaih bin Abdur Rahman bin Abu Sa’id Al-Kudri, from his father, from his grandfather, who said:

“I saw men from the Arabs (i.e. Bedouins) approaching the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They said: “O Messenger of Allah, we are people possessing livestock and we take out from them our Sadaqah (i.e. Zakat) and so does that also cover for us the Zakat of Ramadan?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “No, it is taken from the child and the adult, from the free and the slave. It is a purification for you”. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri said: I saw in the year that the herds were plentiful and that the white crops diminished more than the black. I then saw in the year following that the crops were plentiful and that the black herds were diminished more than the white”. I do not know anyone relating this Hadith from Rubaih apart from Kathir bin Abdullah] [End of quote of Ibn ‘Adiy].

I say: Concerning the statement of Ibn ‘Adiy: “There are still a small number of Ahadeeth related by Kathir bin Abdullah from his father, from his grandfather remaining and most of his Ahadeeth which I mentioned and most of what he related, does not have that which conforms (or supports) them (i.e. he is alone in narrating them)”, then this does not mean the declaration of unreliability or classification of weakness. That is because the mere being alone in relating Ahadeeth “most of what he related, does not have that which conforms (or supports) them”, especially in respect to the one who is from the infamous grandchildren of the Sahabah (like the case of Bahz bin Hakim for instance), does not dictate weakness or unreliability. It is as if Ibn ‘Adiy preferred to remain safe and chose to escape from issuing a verdict upon the man. That is because when he wants to express the unreliability or defectiveness of a man, he usually states: “And the weakness is evident in his Hadith” or words which are similar to that. That is whilst if he wants to declare the reliability and soundness of a narrator he says: “I did not find anything Munkar (rejectable) in relation to him” or “I did not find anything Munkar of his if a Thiqah (reliable and trustworthy narrator) related from him”. It is apparent that nothing reached him from Al-Bukhari apart from what his Sheikh Isma’il bin Abu Uwais related to him: “I heard (or received from) Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Yazid bin Milhah Al-Muzani in the year 158 then the year 161 or 162”.

The Ahadeeth which Ibn ‘Adiy presented did not contain within their texts anything which was rejectable (due to contradicting authentic texts) in origin, although there may be some slight mistake or error in some of them, like the “Five Takbirs being performed over the Najashi” in the case where the most authentic or reliable states that there were “Four Takbirs”. In addition, similar or close to Kathir bin Abdullah’s narrations have also come from other than him, with the exception of the story of “Khadir” and that is the following narration:

- Muhammad bin Yusuf bin ‘Asim Al-Bukhari related to us from Ahmad bin Isma’il Al-Qurashi, from Abdullah bin Nafi’, from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather:

“That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was in the Masjid. He heard speech behind him and the one saying it was saying: “O Allah assist me with which will save me from that which you have made me fearful of”. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said when he heard that: “Will you not include its sister alongside it?” The man then said: “O Allah bestow upon me the longing of the truthful to that which you have made desirable for them”. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then said to Anas bin Malik who was in his company: “Go to him O Anas and say to him that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says to you: “Seek forgiveness for me”. So, Anas went to him and conveyed that to him. The man then said: “O Anas, you are the messenger of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to me. He replied: “Just as you are”. He returned to verify it. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then said: “Say to him yes”. So, he (the man) said to him: “Go and say to him that Allah has favoured you over the Prophets like He has favoured the month of Ramadan over other months and that He has favoured your Ummah (nation) over the nations like He has favoured the day of Jumu’ah over all of the other days”. They went looking and behold it was Khadir, peace be upon him”.

We searched for this narration in every conceivable place but we were unable to find it except from this path of Imam Ibn ‘Adiy. The narration is also attributed to him in the book “Unais As-Saari Fee Takhrij Ahadeeth Fat’h ul-Baari” (9/6578/4610):

[‘Amr bin ‘Awf related: “That the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard speech whilst he was in the Masjid and then said: “O Anas, go to the one who said that and ask him to seek forgiveness for me”. Anas went to the man and he (the man) said to him: “Say (to him i.e. the Prophet) that verily Allah has favoured you over the Prophets by that which he has favoured Ramadan over the remaining months”. He said: They then went to see and behold it was Khadir”. Al-Hafizh (Ibn Hajar) said: “It is a weak Hadith which Ibn ‘Adiy extracted via the path of Kathir bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, from his father, from his grandfather, and it is a weak Isnad (chain of transmission)”. Ibn ‘Asakir related similar to it from the Hadith of Anas, with a chain of transmission which is weaker than it” (7/245 – The book of the Ahadeeth of the Prophets – Chapter: The Hadith of Al-Khadir with Musa, peace be upon him). It is very weak. He related from the Hadith of ‘Amr bin ‘Awf and the Hadith of Anas. As for the Hsdith of ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, then Ibn ‘Adiy extracted it (6/2083) via the path of Abdullah bin Nafi’ As-Sa’igh from Kathir bin Abdullah, from his father, from his grandfather: “That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was in the Masjid and then he heard speech … etc …].

As can be seen, Al-Hafizh (Ibn Hajar) attributed the narration to Kathir bin Abdullah whilst Abu Hudhaifah Nabil bin Mansur bin Ya’qub bin Sultan Al-Bisarah Al-Kuwitiy, the author of “Unais As- Saari”, attributed it to Abdullah bin Nafi’ As-Sa’igh from Kathir bin Abdullah. However, both of them are guilty of an obscene shortcoming in respect to this.

The truth is that it is not from the Hadith of Kathir bin Abdullah nor the Hadith of Abdullah bin Nafi’ As-Sa’igh from Kathir. Rather, it is from the handiworks of Ahmad bin Isma’il Al-Qurashi.

- The following came stated in “Tarikh ul-Islam” (6/20):

[Al-Khatib said: I read via the writing of Ad-Daraqutniy: Ahmad bin Isma’il Abu Hudhafah is Da’if (weak) in Hadith. He was heedless. He related the “Muwatta’” from Malik soundly, but then Ahadeeth ascribed to Malik from other than the “Muwatta’” were inserted upon it and he accepted them. He is not reliable as an authoritative source. Ibn ‘Adiy said: “He related the Muwatta’ from Malik and related from it and from other than it with Bawateel (falsehoods or what is groundless)”. Al-Khatib said: “He was not from those who deliberately falsified”.

I say: That which is held against Abu Hudhafah is his narration of the following Hadith from Malik, from Nafi’, from Ibn ‘Umar: “The one who does cupping and the one having cupping done have broken their fast”. He also related the following hadith with the same Isnad: “He judged with the Yamin (oath) alongside the witness”. Both of these are Mawdoo’ (fabricated) in respect to the Isnad (chain of transmission). - The following came recorded in “Tahdhib Al-Kamal Fee Asmaa’ Ar- Rijal” (1/266):

[Al-Hakim Abu Ahmad said: “(He is) Matruk Al-Hadith (i.e. his Hadith are not taken or disregarded)”. Al-Fadl bin Sahl mentioned him and accused him of lying. He said: “Everything that is transmitted from him states: Malik related to me from Nafi’ from Ibn ‘Umar”. Abu Ahmad bin ‘Adiy said: “He related the Muwatta’ from Malik and related falsehoods (or groundless narrations) from other than him”. Ad-Daraqutni said: “(He is) weak in Hadith. He was heedless. Ahadeeth were inserted upon it (i.e. the Muwatta’) (ascribed to Malik) and he accepted them. He is not reliable as an authoritative source”].

The above should be sufficient, by the permission of Allah, to comprehend the status of Abu Hudhafah Ahmad bin Isma’il Al- Qurashi and consequently, that the rejectable story of Al-Khadir was among the insertions due to his heedlessness. That is while neither Kathir bin Abdullah nor Abdullah bin Nafi’ As-Sa’igh had no relationship to it in origin. They were not even aware of it in their wakefulness or sleep, just as they did not relate it on any day or night! We can also observe that Imam Abu Ahmad Abdullah bin ‘Adiy did not pay any significance to the story of Kathir with the Qadi ‘Imran and his many quarrels, which may well have been the reason behind the scholars of Hadith avoiding him; including Imam Malik (in one report ascribed to him), in addition to the accusation of some of them against him of lying.

- I now present the final word on this matter, in the case where the following came stated in “Al-Ma’rifah Wa At-Tarikh” by Imam Abu Yusuf Ya’qub bin Sufyan Al-Fasawi (3/136):

[Isma’il bin Abu Uwais related to us from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather:

That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, the Deen will retreat back to the Hijaz as a snake retreats back to its hole, and the Deen will seek refuge in the Hijaz as the mountain goat seeks refuge in the mountain top. The Deen began as something strange and will return as something strange. Blessed are the strangers; those who will rectify what the people after me have corrupted from my Sunnah”.

Some have spoken about Kathir who had they been silent about him it would have been more beneficial. Indeed, only the ignorant have spoken about him and his motives (or relations). I heard Ibn Uwais saying: Malik asked me about his Hadith and Yahya bin Sa’id Al-Ansari related from him. I have no doubt that I heard Ibrahim bin Al- Mundhir (And if I didn’t hear it from him, then a Thiqah related it to me) that he said: “Kathir used to claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had granted his grandfather land and he used to dispute with those in that area. He used to quarrel a lot. He went to Ibn ‘Imran to quarrel and so ‘Imran said to him: “O Kathir, indeed you are an idle man who quarrels a lot in respect to that which you don’t know, you claim that which does not belong to you and you have no evidence from what you demand. So, don’t approach me and I will not let me see you unless you see that I have freed my time for the people of falsehood. If you see that, then come”. One day Ibn ‘Imran was with us and then behold Kathir bin Abdullah had approached him. He (Ibn ‘Imran) said: “Did I not tell you to not come to me unless you see me having freed my time for the people of falsehood?” Kathir then replied: ““You have said the truth, may Allah make good the affair of the Qadi. Indeed, I only came to you when the people of falsehood came to you. So and so and so and so person came to you. They are both people of falsehood and so I came along with them both”. It was from the command of Ibn ‘Imran to him. Abu Yusuf said: “He commanded to remain fast to the column until he had stood from judicial proceedings”. Abu Yusuf said: “They were from those devoted to Ibn ‘Imran]. This has also been recorded in the transcript of “Ash-Shamela Lil- Ma’rifah Wa At-Tarikh” (p. 62 – by the numbering of the Shamela E- library).

It is therefore apparent that he (Kathir) used to argue with men from those who sat in the company of Qadi Ibn ‘Imran and were devoted to him, and that he considered them to be from the “people of falsehood”. Qadi Ibn ‘Imran then took revenge against him for that reason and as a result whatever took place as a consequence, took place.

The following is a model example of Imam Malik questioning about his Hadith and a model example of his narrating from him:

- The following came stated in “Al-Lata’if min Daqa’iq Al-Ma’arif”, by Abu Musa Al-Madini (170/303):

[(The narration of Malik bin Anas from the son of his sister Isma’il bin Abu Uwais) – Abu Al-Fat’h bin Al-Ikhshid related to us from Abu Tahir bin Abdur Rahim, from Abu Al-Hasan Ad-Daraqutniy, from Muhammad bin Makhlad, from Hammad bin Al-Mu’ammal bin Matar Al-Kalbi, from Muhammad bin Abdullah Abu Bakr An-Naqid, from Isma’il bin Abu Uwais, who said: my maternal uncle Malik bin Anas related to me, from me (i.e. Anas bin Malik), from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, from his father, from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The wayfarer (or traveller) has more right to the water and the shade than the one who built upon it (i.e. the land)”. Abu Bakr said: I asked to Isma’il “Who did you relate from” He replied: “Kathir bin Abdullah related to me, however, I wished to insert the name of my maternal uncle in it (i.e. the Isnad)”].

- The following came stated in “Ittihaf Al-Maharah” by Ibn Hajar (12/518/16024): [(Concerning the) Hadith of Ibn Abdul Barr: “I have left among you two matters; you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet”. Malik said in his “Al-Jami’”: “It reached him that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that. And the chain of transmission of Ibn Abdul Barr was via: Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, from his father, from his grandfather, who said the same (i.e. “I have left among you etc…). It is therefore apparent that Malik took it (the Hadith) from him].

The following is a model example of Imam Al-Bukhari verifying the authentication of his Hadith:

- The following came stated in the “Sunan Al-Kubra” of Al-Baihaqi [With “Al-Jawhar An-Naqi” at its end (3/286/6393)]:

[Abu Abdullah Al-Hafizh related to us from Abu Bakr bin Ishaq Al- Faqih, from Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali bin Ziyad, from Ibn Abu Uwais, from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf, from his father, from his grandfather: “That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), used to make seven Takbirs in the first Rak’ah of the two Eid prayers and five Takbirs in the second Rak’ah before the recital (i.e. of Al-Fatihah)”. It was also related by Abdullah bin Nafi’ from Kathir. Abu ‘Eisa At-Tirmidhi said: “I asked Muhammd (meaning Al-Bukhari) about this Hadith and he said: “There is nothing in this subject area (i.e. issue) that is more Sahih than it and my opinion is in accordance to it”. He said: And the Hadith of Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman At-Ta’ifi from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, related to this subject area is also Sahih].

It can therefore be observed here that he (i.e. Al-Bukhari) gave precedence to his (i.e. Kathir’s) Hadith over that of ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, which he also considered to be Sahih. From what has preceded in terms of explanation, it is evident that Imam Ibn Al-Qattan Al-Fasi made an error when he resorted to far-off interpretations and suppositions, as found in the following reference:

- The following came stated in “Nas Ar-Rayah Lil-Ahadeeth Al- Hidayah” by Jamal ud-Din Az-Zai’aliy (2/217):

[Concerning another Hadith: Recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani: That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made Takbir, in the two Eid prayers, seven times in the first Rak’ah, before the recital (of the Quran) and five in the last Rak’ah, before the recital” [End of Quote]. At-Tirmidhi said: “(It is) a Hasan Hadith and it is the best thing that has been narrated in this subject area” [End of Quote]. And he said in his “Ilal Al-Kubra”: I asked Muhammad about this Hadith and he said: “There is nothing in this subject area which is more Sahih than it and my opinion is in accordance with it. The Hadith of Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman At-Ta’ifi and At-Ta’ifi comes close to the Hadith” [End of Quote]. Ibn Al-Qattan, in his book, said that this is not explicit in respect to the authentication. That is because his statement: “It is the most Sahih thing that has been narrated in this subject area” means that it resembles what has come in relation to this subject area and less Da’if (weak). While his statement: “And my opinion is in accordance with it” could be from the speech of At-Tirmidhi (i.e. and not Al-Bukhari) i.e. And I say: That this Hadith resembles what has come in relation to this subject area. Similarly, his statement: “And the Hadith of At-Ta’ifi is also Sahih” could also possibly be from the speech of At-Tirmidhi. The verification (Tashih) of the Hadith of ‘Amr bin Shu’aib has already been established from him and so it appears from that, that the statement of Al-Bukhari “The most Sahih thing” does not mean that it is Sahih. He said: “That is even if we were to exit from the literal meaning of the worded expression, which is obligatory, as Kathir bin Abdullah is Matruk (disregarded and not related from them) in their view. Ahmad bin Hanbal said: “Kathir bin Abdullah does not equal anything” and he rejected his Hadith in his Musnad nor did he relate them”. Ibn Ma’een said: “His Hadith are not worth anything”. An-Nasa’i and Ad-Daraqutniy said: “His Hadith are disregarded”. Abu Zur’ah said: “His Hadith are feeble/flimsy”. Ash- Shafi’iy said: “He is a pillar from among the pillars of lying”. Ibn Hibban said: “He related from his father from his grandfather a fabricated transcript; it is not permissible to mention them (i.e. his narrations) in the books, except from the angle of astonishment”. As for At-Ta’ifi. Then the people classified him as Da’if, including Ibn Ma’een” [End of Quote]].

In addition, we find a single Hadith (of Kathir bin Abdullah) in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad and I don’t know if Imam Ahmad related to it because there was supportive evidence for the Hadith or if his son Imam Abdullah bin Hanbal recorded it. It is the following:

- The following came recorded in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (8/153):

[Hussein related to us from Abu Uwais, from Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani, from his father, from his grandfather: “That the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) allocated land to Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani including the mines of al-Qabaliyyah, both which lay on the upper side and which lay on the lower side, where it is suitable for cultivation, of Quds. He did not give him (the land which involved) the right of a Muslim. The Prophet (peace be upon him) wrote a document for him. It goes: "In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. This is what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) assigned to Bilal bin Al-Harith al-Muzani. He gave him the mines of al-Qabaliyyah, both which lay on the upper side and which lay on the lower side, and (the land) which is suitable for cultivation, of Quds. He did not give him the right of any Muslim”.

- The narrator Abu Uwais said: A similar Hadith has been related to me by Thawr ibn Zayd from ‘Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas, from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

It is hoped that we observe in Conclusion, that Imam Al-Bukhari lived in Al-Madinah for many years and he met with a group of those who received from Kathir bin Abdullah. He had also received much from his Sheikh Isma’il bin Abu Uwais who had met Kathir bin Abdullah and knew his condition and status well; even better than him. Therefore, Al-Bukhari knew about Kathir bin Abdullah from others. Similarly, Imam Ya’qub bin Sufyan had vast knowledge of the people of Al-Madinah.

Consequently, we seek guidance from Allah for that which right, and see the obligation of correcting what came stated in “At-Taqrib” so that the corrected text will be as follows:

- “Taqrib At-Tahdhib” (1/460/5617): [Kathir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani Al-Madani: There is no issue (or problem) with him and those who attributed lying to him were mistaken. He is from the seventh (generation or line of transmitters)].

Through this correction, the injustice against this man has been lifted and he has been dealt with fairly within the limits of moderation. And all praise belongs to Allah, through whose blessing, the righteous acts are completed! Edited in London and revised many times. It was last revised on Wednesday the 10th of Jumada Al-Akhira 1441 AH; corresponding to the 5th of February 2020.