Isnaad is from the Deen

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

*Isnaad is from the Deen.

*Narrations are only to be taken from the Trustworthy.

*Criticism of narrators due to what is found in them is permissible.

*Doing so is not from the impermissible Gheebah (backbiting).

*Rather doing so is defending the Honorable Sharee`ah.

`Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The (true) Deen: (is found) with Ahl al-Hadeeth (those who follow the Two Texts).

The Lies: (are found) with the Raafidhah.

The Kalaam (rhetoric / philosophy): (is found) with the Mu`tazilah.

And Deception: (is found) with Ahl al-Raa’ee (those who prefer opinions over Texts).”

[Minhaaj al-Sunnah of Ibn Taymiyyah (7/413)]

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He رحمه الله also said:

“The Isnaad (the chain of narration) is from the Deen. If not for the Isnaad, anyone could say whatever he wanted.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (32)]

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Ibn Sireen رحمه الله said:

“Indeed, this knowledge (of Isnaad) is from the (foundation of this) Deen; so look from whom you take (learn) your religion.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (26)]

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Sufyaan Ibn `Uyayynah رحمه الله said:

One day al-Zuhree رحمه الله was narrating a Hadeeth, so I said to him: “narrate to us without mentioning the Isnaad (the chain of narration)”. So al-Zuhree said: “Can anyone reach the roof without a ladder?”

[Tadreeb al-Rawee (2/605)]

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Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The similitude of the one who wants to learn the matters of the Deen without Isnaad is like the one who wants to reach the roof without a ladder.”

[Sharf As-haab al-Hadeeth (1/41)]

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Sufyaan al-Thawree رحمه الله said:

“The isnaad is the weapon of the believer. So if he does not have a weapon then what will he fight with?”

[al-Majrooheen of Ibn Hibaan (1/27)]