Mohammad Ibn Sanān; beyond perspectives

Mohammad Ibn Sanān is a companion of three Imams: Kādhim, Rezā and Javād. In Four Books, there are 969 narrations quoted by him which make him one of the famous Shia narrators. Scholars have contradictory ideas about him; some undermine his status and argue that each hadith which contain his name in its chain of document is invalid and non-attributable. On the other hand, some experts refer to his behavior and his companionship with Imams and great followers, the outstanding narrators’ attempts to use his narrations, the various topics of his narrations in books and Shite corpus of hadith, and some traditions in his praise, all of which made him an acceptable figure. Accordingly, they conclude that the claim about Ibn Sanān's low scientific and religious status is doubtful. The present study is an attempt to look at evidences and documents about Ibn Sanān from realistic point of view. Along with clarifying his truth and authenticity, this article aims at evaluating the traditions narrated by him.