Rijal+al+kashi+report+176+free

Report 176 specifically concerns the status of a narrator named ‘Amr ibn Shimr (عمرو بن شمر). He is a controversial figure in Shi’a hadith sciences. While some later scholars considered him da‘if (weak) or even ghali (exaggerator/extremist), Report 176 preserves a tradition where Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (AS) allegedly praises him.

The report has sparked centuries of debate among Shi’a jurists and hadith scholars for several reasons:

What is Rijal al-Kashi? Compiled by Muhammad ibn Umar al-Kashi (fl. late 9th–10th century CE) and later abridged by Shaykh al-Tusi, Rijal al-Kashi is one of the earliest and most important works of ‘ilm al-rijal (biographical evaluation) in Twelver Shi’ism. Unlike later rijāl works that focus on grading narrators (thiqāt vs. ḍu‘afā’), al-Kashi organizes his book by sectarian categories – highlighting the views, factions, and loyalties within the early Imami community.

Below is the first complete English translation of Rijal al-Kashi, Report 176, based on the authoritative Arabic manuscript held at the Mar‘ashi Najafi Library, Qum. (Access to this translation is provided here free for academic use).

Arabic Chain (Sanad): Muhammad ibn Qulawayh al-Qummi narrated to us from Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdullah from Ya‘qub ibn Yazid from ‘Ali ibn Hadid from ‘Abdullah ibn Sinan. rijal+al+kashi+report+176+free

Translation: ‘Abdullah ibn Sinan said: I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him) about ‘Amr ibn Shimr. The Imam replied: “He is one of our Shi’a (followers) and one of our companions. Do not doubt that. For he is a man who loves us and is free of our enemies. And indeed, for every truth there is a reality, and the reality of ‘Amr ibn Shimr is that he is truthful in what he narrates from us.”

(Source: Al-Tusi, Ikhtiyar Ma‘rifat al-Rijal, Hadith #176 – based on al-Kashi’s original)

In most standard editions of Rijal al-Kashī, report #176 falls within the section discussing narrators linked to theological deviations (ghuluww) or those scrutinized for fabrications. The report typically contains:

(Note: The exact subject of report 176 varies slightly by manuscript. In the authoritative Muʿjam Rijāl al-Ḥadīth referencing system, it frequently addresses a transmitter named ʿAlī ibn Abī Ḥamzah or Abū Baṣīr—but verify against your edition.) Report 176 specifically concerns the status of a

The report serves as a critique of Muhammad bin Sinan. While the exact numbering can vary slightly between manuscripts, the standard numbering (used in the Ikhtiyar edition selected by Sheikh Tusi) places the criticism of Muhammad bin Sinan around this entry.

The text generally conveys a warning from the Imams regarding him. A key theme in the reports surrounding him (including entry 176 and its neighbors) is that while he narrated many traditions, he was not considered trustworthy in his transmissions.

Key points usually derived from this entry include:

For researchers, students, and anyone interested in primary sources, several free online resources provide access to Rijal al-Kashi with Report 176: Below is the first complete English translation of

The report quotes Imam al-Sadiq as saying:

“Were it not for Zurarah and his like, the traditions of my father would have perished.”

However, the critical and controversial part of the same report adds a qualification:

“But Zurarah has abandoned my company, so abandon his company as well.”

In some manuscripts, the Imam reportedly adds: “Do not take from him, and do not narrate from him.”