Question
If a Muhaddith is saying ‘la ba-sa bihi’ (لا بأس به) then is he praising a narrator or criticising him?
Answer
La ba-sa bihi (لا بأس به) is a term Muhaddithun use to show credibility of a narrator. It is not of the highest level and this narrators Hadiths are usually termed hasan (sound).
(Refer: Tadribur Rawi, vol. 4 pg. 184)
Note: The above is merely an answer to the question provided. One who is unqualified, should not seek to apply this and/or draw conclusions on related issues independently, especially since certain Muhaddithun could have their own personal usage and definition of this term.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
The field of Hadith criticism (Al-Jarh wat Ta’dil) is a very vast and intricate one. Superficial knowledge of it is more harmful than its total ignorance.