Why did the Hadeeth Scholars bring weak narrations in their books?

Sheikh Zubair Alizai Rahimahullah writes:

If someone says that Imaam Isma’eel ibn Ishaaq al-Qaadhi’s book ‘Fadhl as-Salaat alaa an-Nabee’ sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is filled up with weak narrations, hence the question is that why did the Hadeeth Scholars include unacceptable narrations in books other than the authentic books( i.e.Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim )?

The answer to this would be that, Haafidh ibn Hajar said:

From the second century and onwards, when the Hadeeth Scholars mentioned a hadeeth with its chain, they would consider themselves free from being asked about it. And Allah Knows Best! (Lisanul Meezaan v.3 p.75)

Haafidh Ibn Taymiyyah said:

But (Abu Nuaym al-Asbahanee has) narrated like how other Hadeeth Scholars similar to him would narrate everything that has been related about a particular topic, so that the people get to know about these, even if some of the narrations cannot be taken as evidence. (Minhaaj us-Sunnah v.4 p.15)

Sakhawee said:

Majority of the Hadeeth Scholars, in particular for example, Tabaranee, Abu Nuaym & Ibn Mandah when they narrated with the chain, they believed that they are free from being asked about it. (Fathul Mughees Sharh Alfiatil Hadeeth v.1 p.254)

Shaikh Zubair Alizai Rrahimahullah continues:

From these research, it is known that books other than the Saheehayn, for e.g. al-Adab al-Mufrad by Bukharee & Musnad Ahmed and others has weak narrations also. These Imaams have become free of obligation after mentioning their chain. They haven’t brought these (weak) narrations as evidence for a belief or practice. Rather just to let people know about it.

Hence for narrations in books other than Saheehayn, it is not permissible for anyone to take evidence from it or to narrate with certainty without considering the principles of hadeeth science along with keeping the Asma’ ur-Rijaal in consideration.

And upon us is to only deliver(the truth)!

* Saheehayn refers to Saheeh al-Bukharee & Muslim

Author: Hafiz Zubair Alizai Rahimahullah

Translated by: taalibeilm via (sheikhzubairalizai dot wordpress dot com)

Reference: Sheikh Zubair Alizai`s book Maqalaat (Vol. 3 page. 213-214)