Validation of the Phrase "Narrating from the Weak Narrators" in the Character of Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al_Barqi Based on the Book "al-Mahasen"

The book of narrations "Al-Mahasen" by Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid Barqi (died 274 AH) is one of the foundational sources for the early works such as "al-Kafi" and "Man La Yahzorohu al-Faqih." Despite being trusted and reliable among religious scholars, Barqi has narrated hadiths from some weak narrators, leading to the claim that he "narrates from weak narrators," which has been a point of criticism against him. This article employs a descriptive-analytical method to examine the validity of this assertion regarding Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi and how a scholar can be evaluated while using weak traditions in "al-Mahasen." The findings indicate that early and later scholars do not reach a consensus on the character of "Abusomayna" and "Abd al-Rahman bin Hammad," while opinions on other weak narrators in "al-Mahasen" largely stem from Ibn Ghazaeri without compelling analysis. Furthermore, the perceived weakness of some narrators investigated is often due to relative excessive veneration. Therefore, the phrase "narrates from weak narrators" regarding Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi may not be entirely accurate. Barqi's approach to using the narrations of weak narrators can be categorized in three ways: first, he may not believe in their weakness; second, he used their traditions after validating them; and third, he adopted a mixed approach in quoting these narrators.