The Relative Weakening of Trustworthy Narrators: Abdullah ibn Dinar as a Case Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Hadith and Its Sciences, Faculty of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/bfda.2025.357036.1658

Abstract

This study explores the esteemed position of ‘Abdullah ibn Dinar, a prominent figure among the scholars of hadith, and examines how his narrations, despite his renowned reliability, were subject to critique and analysis by the scholars of al-Jarh wa al-Ta‘dil (criticism and accreditation). The research aims to clarify which aspects of his narrations are accepted and which are rejected, shedding light on the concept of relative weakening (al-Tad‘if al-Nisbi) and its influence on hadith narration.
The methodology involves defining relative weakening through classical dictionaries and hadith terminology sources, classifying its types, and providing examples from al-Jarh wa al-Ta‘dil literature. The study also presents a concise biography of ‘Abdullah ibn Dinar, focusing on his scholarly status and evaluations by experts in the field. Two narrations considered weak due to his transmission are analyzed and critically examined. These narrations are traced to the nine canonical collections of hadith, with sources arranged in order of their reliability. Translator details are only included when essential for the analysis, while trusted narrators are excluded from detailed commentary to maintain brevity.
The structure of the research includes an introduction that provides an overview of the topic. The first chapter delves into the concept of relative weakening, offering a detailed discussion on its definition, types, and implications for narrations. The second chapter provides a comprehensive biography of ‘Abdullah ibn Dinar, covering his lineage, significant teachers and students, and scholarly evaluations. The third chapter offers case studies

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