The detailed criticism (al-jarh al-mufassar) takes precedence over the praise (at-ta’deel) when there is conflict between the two, as is well known in al-muṣṭalaḥ (hadeeth sciences)1. If there is a contradiction between al-jarh of a person and at-ta’deel, which of the two is given precedence? What is correct is that al-jarh is given precedence if the reason for it is clearly stated2, and it is, in itself, a valid ground for criticism3.
It is not hidden from the precise ones of this science that al-jarh takes precedence over at-ta’deel, and especially when it is known that the one praising (al-mu’addil) is well-known for being easy-going, as is the case here, meaning: Ibn Hibbān.4
See: ‘Uloom al-Hadeeth lil-Imām Muhammad Nāsir ad-Deen al-Albānī, p. 122, compiled and arranged by ‘Isām Moosa Muhammad Hādi.
إذا اجتمع في شخص جرح، وتعديل، فالجرح مقدم؛ لأن المعدِّل يخبر عما ظهر من حاله، والجارح يخبر عن باطن خَفِي على المعدِّل
Ibn Salāh stated in his Al-Muqaddimah (p. 109): If both criticism and praise come together in a person, then the criticism is given precedence because the one praising informs of what is apparent from the condition [of the one he is praising], whereas the criticiser (al-jārih) informs concerning what is hidden and concealed to the one who praises.
Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Wāhid.
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