Is Sharik ibn ‘Abdillah ibn Abi Sharik An Nakha’i reliable?
Answer
There exists a difference of opinion on the reliability of this narrator. Some Muhaddithun like Imams Yahya ibn Ma’in, Nasai, Ibrahim Al Harbi (rahimahumullah) have declared him credible.
Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded his Hadith in his Sahih [mutaba’atan]. Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has also declared a chain sound, in which Sharik is a narrator (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1366).
Some Muhaddithun have declared him weak. However, when inspecting their gradings, it is evident that they generally deemed him weak in one of the following situations:
a) When he contradicts other narrators
b) When he is alone in reporting a narration
c) When he was compared to his contemporaries/other narrators.
It should also be noted that his memory had deteriorated towards the latter part of his life, which caused him to become confused.
(Refer: Tahdhibul Kamal, vol. 12 pg. 462-475, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 4 pg. 333-337, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 2 pg. 250, number: 3521 and Taqribut Tahdhib, 2787. Also see Foreword of I’ilaus Sunan; Abu Hanifah Wa Ashabuhu Al Muhaddithun, pg. 192)
Therefore, his narrations will be classified sound/acceptable on two conditions:
- He is not contradicting other narrators
- The narration is from his earlier students who took Hadith from him before his memory weakened and became confused.
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.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar