In some of your answers (like here) you say that a Hadith will be declared reliable/authentic according to Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al ‘Asqalani (rahimahullah). I was wondering, what do you mean by this statement? Do you mean it is reliable according to his conditions? If so and he did not grade it, how can you be certain it is reliable according to him if he did not say anything on its authenticity himself?
Answer
There are certain Hadiths which Hafiz ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has quoted in his two books: Fathul Bari and Hidayatut Ruwat that are considered reliable according to him.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has explicitly mentioned that the Hadiths he cites [which have a direct link to the Hadith he is explaining] in his commentary on Sahih Bukhari (Fathul Bari) will either be sahih (authentic) or hasan (sound) unless he states otherwise.
(Foreword of Fathul Bari, vol. 1 pg. 5, Risalah edition. Also see footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Majalis Fi Tafsiri Qawlilillah Ta’ala, pg. 175)
In his book Hidayatur Ruwat, Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) explains that the Hadiths of a particular chapter (Al-fasluth thani) are hasan (sound) unless he states otherwise.
(Foreword of Hidayatur Ruwat, pg. 58)
Therefore, since the Hadith falls under this type of narrations, whose reliability have been assured by Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) we say: ‘can be considered as reliable’ according to him.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar