Question:

Is Muhammad Ibn Sinan Az-Zahiri trustworthy according to the Scholars?

Answer:

Abu Abdillah Al-Mufid writes: “Those who accepted the appointment of Ar-Rida, Ali Ibn Musa (a. ), for the leadership through his father and the reffering to him, from his special followers and trustworthy (Thiqah) and people of piety, knowledge and understanding from his followers, are Dawud Ibn Kathir Ar-Raqqi, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Ammar, Ali Ibn Yaqtin, Nu’aim Al-Qabusi, Al-Husaibn Ibn Al-Mukhtar, Ziyad Ibn Marwan Al-Makhzumi, Dawud Ibn Sulaiman, Nasr Ibn Qabus, Dawud Ibn Zarbi, Yazid Ibn Salit and Muhammad Ibn Sinan.” [Al-Irshad, Volume 2 Page 247 – 248]

قال الشيخ أبو عبد الله المفيد رضي الله عنه: فممن روى النص على الرضا علي بن موسى عليهما السلام بالإمامة من أبيه والإشارة إليه منه بذلك من خاصته وثقاته وأهل الورع والعلم والفقه من شيعته داود بن كثير الرقي ومحمد بن إسحاق بن عمار وعلي ابن يقطين ونعيم القابوسي والحسين بن المختار وزياد بن مروان والمخزومي وداود بن سليمان ونصر بن قابوس وداود بن زربي ويزيد ابن سليط ومحمد بن سنان

Abu Al-Qasim Al-Khu’i writes: “Ibn Tawus himself classified him as trustworthy (Thiqah).” [Mu’jam Rijal Al-Hadith, Volume 17 Page 170]

قال أبو القاسم الخوئي: ووثقه أيضا ابن طاووس

Hadi An-Najafi writes: “Authentic (Mu’tabar) according to the chain of transmission.” [Mawsu’at Ahadith Ahl Al-Bait, Volume 1 Page 380 Hadith 781]

قال الشيخ هادي النجفي: الرواية معتبرة الإسناد

Yusuf Al-Bahrani writes: “Authentic (Sahih) through Muhammad Ibn Sinan.” [Al-Hada’iq-un-Nadirah, Volume 4 page 312]

قال الشيخ يوسف البحراني رحمه الله: في الصحيح عن محمد بن سنان

Abu l-Qasim Al-Khu’i writes:

المتحصل من الروايات أن محمد بن سنان كان من الموالين وممن يدين الله بموالاة أهل بيت نبيه صلى الله عليه وآله فهو ممدوح، فإن ثبت فيه شئ من المخالفة فقد زال ذلك وقد رضي عنه المعصوم سلام الله عليه ولأجل ذلك عده الشيخ ممن كان ممدوحا حسن الطريقة

“It is clear from the traditions that Muhammad Ibn Sinan was one of the faithful followers as well as those who followed the religion of God through the obedience of the people of the house of His Prophet (s.) and he was praised (Mamduh), even if controversial things about him are confirmed, because this has already been cleared up. The Infallible (a.) was satisfied with him and for this reason At-Tusi counted him among those who were praised (Mamduh) and showed a path that is good (Hasan).” [Mu’jam Rijali l-Hadith, Volume 17 page 169]

Abu l-Qasim Al-Khu’i writes:

ولولا أن ابن عقدة، والنجاشي، والشيخ، والشيخ المفيد، وابن الغضائري ضعفوه، وأن الفضل بن شاذان عده من الكذابين، لتعين العمل برواياته، ولكن تضعيف هؤلاء الاعلام يسدنا عن الاعتماد عليه، والعمل برواياته، ولأجل ذلك لا يمكن الاعتماد على توثيق الشيخ المفيد إياه

“If Ibn Uqdah, An-Najashi, At-Tusi, Al-Mufid and Ibn-ul-Ghada’iri had not weakened him and if Fadl Ibn Shadhan had not accused him of lying, one would consider following his traditions, but the weakening of these rulers prevents us from considering him reliable (Mu’tamad) and following his traditions and for this reason it is not possible to rely on the fact that Al-Mufid classified him as trustworthy (Thiqah). ” [Mu’jam Rijali l-Hadith, Volume 17 page 169]

Abu Al-Hasan Al-Qummi writes:

“Hasan Ibn Ali transmitted to us from his father, who transmitted from Al-Husain Ibn Sa’id, who transmitted from Muhammad Ibn Sinan.” [Tafsir Al-Qummi, Volume 1 page 221]

أخبرنا حسن بن علي عن أبيه عن الحسين بن سعيد عن محمد ابن سنان

Abu Al-Hasan Al-Qummi writes:

“We mention and report what reached us and was transmitted by our scholars and trustworthy ones (Thiqah).” [Tafsir Al-Qummi, Volume 1 Page 4]

ونحن ذاكرون ومخبرون بما ينتهى الينا ورواه مشايخنا وثقاتنا

Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi writes: “Muhammad Ibn Sinan is known as weak (Da’if) and is authentic with me (Mu’tabar).” [Mir’at-ul-Uqul, Volume 1 Page 106 Hadith 5]

قال شيخ الإسلام المجلسي رحمه الله: ضعيف على المشهور بمحمد بن سنان ومعتبر عندي

Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi writes: “He is considered reliable (Mu’tamad) by me.” [Ar-Rijal, page 303 number 1670]

قال شيخ الإسلام المجلسي رحمه الله: وهو معتمد عليه عندي

Hasan Ibn Yusuf Ibn Mutahhar Al-Hilli writes:

الصحيح عن محمد بن سنان

“Authentic (Sahih) through Muhammad Ibn Sinan.” [Muntaha Al-Matlab, Volume 1 Page 318]

Hasan Ibn Yusuf Ibn Mutahhar Al-Hilli writes:

قد بينا رجحان العمل برواية محمد بن سنان

“We have already made it clear that traditions of Muhammad Ibn Sinan can be followed (Ma’mul).” [Mukhtalaf-ush-Shi’ah, volume 7 page 8]

Hasan Ibn Yusuf Ibn Mutahhar Al-Hilli writes:

محمد بن سنان وهو ضعيف

“Muhammad Ibn Sinan is weak (Da’if).” [Muntaha Al-Matlab, Volume 3 Page 87]

Al-Hurr Al-Amili writes: “Some of our teachers consider him credible (Marjuh) and they are right in that.” [Wasa’il-ush-Shi’ah, volume 30 page 474]

قال الشيخ الحر العاملي رضي الله عنه: ورجحه بعض مشايخنا وهو الصواب

Al-Hurr Al-Amili writes: “Al-Kashi gives praise and high estimation for him, which proves that he is trustworthy (Thiqah).” [Wasa’il-ush-Shi’ah, volume 30 page 473]

قال الشيخ الحر العاملي رضي الله عنه: وروى الكشي له مدحا جليلا يدل على التوثيق

Comment:

Muhammad Ibn Sinan Az-Zahiri is a companion of Imam Ar-Rida (a.)