Modernists And Hadith Rejecters by Sajid A. Kayum

"Modern scholars quote the sources of important statements
of facts in learned works. But even in the most carefully
documented works, there are two drawbacks,
(a) In case of published works, there is little
possibility of verifying whether there are any
misprints or other inaccuracies; this would not
happen if one were to depend on a work only
after hearing (it) from the author himself, or
obtaining a copy certified by the author, or in
case of old works by those who have had the
opportunity of hearing it from the author, or his
authorized transmitter.
(b) One is content now-a-days with one's immediate
source, without much caring to trace the
proceeding sources of that source, witness of the
event. In Hadeeth works, the case has been
different…"
Hammam ibn Munabbih p.83]
[Hamiduallah, Muhammad. Sahifah
3. The Hadeeth narrators transmit the exact words of the Messenger
not its explanation as Imam Shafa'ee explained in al-Risaalah
(370-371), "…he (the narrator of the hadeeth) should be one of
those who can narrate the hadeeth exactly as he heard it, not
based on the meaning but with the exact wording, because if he
narrated on the basis of meaning and not with the exact wording,
and he does not have knowledge of possible interpretations, he
may inadvertently change what is halaal into haraam. But if he
narrates it exactly, there is no fear that it may be changed.”
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