All have accepted its wide narration (Tawatur) and authenticity; they have
clarified that the whole of it is authentic; therefore there is consensus on this
matter and no scope remains for them to dispute it.
In this instance, there are those, who say once: our scholars have not
narrated it1
and the second time, say: It is not narrated through reliable narrators,
therefore it is not authentic2
Some followers from the later scholars have emulated him, they say:
Trustworthy narrators have not narrated it.3
While this same person in another
place in his book says: This tradition is widely narrated (Mutawatir). We conduct
with such persons as per the command of the Almighty Allah:4 and just say
‘peace’ to them.
I don’t know whether ignorance prevented him from recognizing the
scholars of his companions or he was ignorant of Sihah and Masanid books or did
not accept the reliability of these personalities.
If he is ignorant, it is a calamity, but if he is aware and he issues such
statement, then it is a greater calamity.
Among them are also those: that he turns this statement in his mouth that
except for Ahmad in his Musnad, no one has narrated this tradition.5 And this
book contains both kinds of reports: weak as well as reliable.
As if this person does not have any information about books other than
Musnad Ahmad or his research and investigation regarding authentic and strong
chains of narrators, which are excessively present in Saheeh, Musnad and Sunan
books, have not enlightened him.
As if he is unaware of books of senior scholars written particularly about
Ahmad and his Musnad.
As if he is unaware of the statement of Subki in Tabaqat6 that:
“Indeed, Ahmad wrote the Musnad and it is one of the principles of this Ummah.”
Imam Hafiz Abu Moosa Madini Isfahani Shafei (d. 580 A.H.) says:
“Musnad of Imam Ahmad is a basic and elemental principle and a firm
point of reference for scholars of traditions. And it is a selection of innumerable
traditional reports; that is why it is an imam and a foundation and during dispute
or controversy, it is the final point of reference for the disputants.”
And on the basis of the quotation of Kanzul Ummal,7 Hafiz Suyuti in his
introduction to Jamaul Jawame, says:
“All reports of Musnad Ahmad are acceptable and there are weak traditional
reports in it as well as good traditional reports.”