Question:

How did the authors of the four books deal with the traditions?

Answer:

[ 1. ] Author of Al-Kafi:

Muhammad Ibn Ya’qub Al-Kulaini writes: “Know, O my brother – and God will show you the way – that no one succeeds in putting aside the contradictions of the narrations reported by the scholars (a.), except by the standard that the scholar (a.) set by his word: “Compare them with the Book of God! What is in agreement with the book of God, accept it, and what is out of agreement with the book of God, leave it.” And his word: “Abstain from that which is in agreement with the rest of people, for in the departing from them lies that which is right.” And his word: “Accept that which is unanimously agreed upon, for unanimity about something leaves no doubt about it.” We know nothing of the totality of it except its slightest, and we find no more surrounded and more comprehensive matter except to return the complete knowledge to the scholar (a.) and to accept what the matter therein comprises by the word of the scholar (a.): “Whatever you accept in regard to devotion is forgivable to you.” [Al-Kafi, Volume 1 Page 8-9]

قال شيخ الإسلام محمد بن يعقوب الكليني رضي الله عنه: فاعلم يا أخي أرشدك الله أنه لا يسع أحدا تمييز شئ مما اختلف الرواية فيه عن العلماء عليهم السلام برأيه، إلا على ما أطلقه العالم بقوله عليه السلام: اعرضوها على كتاب الله فما وافى كتاب الله عز وجل فخذوه، وما خالف كتاب الله فردوه وقوله عليه السلام: دعوا ما وافق القوم فإن الرشد في خلافهم وقوله عليه السلام خذوا بالمجمع عليه، فإن المجمع عليه لا ريب فيه ونحن لا نعرف من جميع ذلك إلا أقله ولا نجد شيئا أحوط ولا أوسع من رد علم ذلك كله إلى العالم عليه السلام وقبول ما وسع من الأمر فيه بقوله عليه السلام بأيما أخذتم من باب التسليم وسعكم

[ 2. ] Author of Man La Yahduruh-ul-Faqih:

Muhammad Ibn Ali As-Saduq writes: “If two reports come to you that differ from each other, compare them with the Book of God. Whatever you find in the book, whether it is permitted or forbidden, go by what is in accordance with the book. If it is not in the book, compare it with the Sunnah of the Prophet.” [Uyun-ul-Akhbar, Volume 1 Page 23]

قال شيخ الإسلام محمد بن علي بن بابويه الصدوق رضي الله عنه: فما ورد عليكم من خبرين مختلفين فاعرضوهما على كتاب الله فما كان في كتاب موجودا حلالا أو حراما فاتبعوا ما وافق الكتاب ولم يكن في الكتاب فاعرضوه على سنن النبي

[ 3. ] Author of Al-Istibsar and Tahdhib-ul-Ahkam:

Muhammad Ibn Hasan At-Tusi writes: “Those strange reports that we have received seem to deviate from the Book of God, and any saying (hadith) that is received in this form is not permissible to be followed, because it was reported by the Prophet (s.) and the Imams (a.) that they said: “If a saying (hadith) of ours comes to you, compare it with the Book of God. Whatever is compatible with the book of God, take it and whatever deviates from it, reject it or leave it to us.” [Tahdhib-ul-Ahkam, Volume 7, Page 275]

قال شيخ الإسلام محمد بن الحسن الطوسي رضي الله عنه: فهذان الخبران قد وردا شاذين مخالفين لظاهر كتاب الله، وكل حديث ورد هذا المورد فإنه لا يجوز العمل عليه، لأنه روي عن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وعن الأئمة عليهم السلام انهم قالوا إذا جاءكم منا حديث فاعرضوه على كتاب الله فما وافق كتاب الله فخذوه وما خالفه فاطرحوه أو ردوه علينا