What is the difference between the phrases "Al-Harith ibn Miskin informed us, recited to him while I was listening" and "Al-Harith ibn Miskin said, recited to him while I was listening" in "Sunan al-Nasa'i al-Sughra"?
The Hadith scholars use various formulas to transmit Hadith, including "listening" (al-sama') and "presentation" (al-'ard). Imam An-Nasa'i used multiple formulas such as "Al-Harith ibn Miskin narrated to us by reading to him while I listened" or "Al-Harith ibn Miskin said by reading to him while I listened," instead of the usual "He narrated to us" (haddathana) or "He informed us" (akhbarana). This was due to a disagreement between him and his shaykh, Al-Harith ibn Miskin, as An-Nasa'i used to attend his gatherings secretly. This method is permissible and does not affect the authenticity of the narration. There is no difference between his saying "He informed us" or "He said" in this context, as all are understood to imply listening if the encounter is proven.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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