Definition

Most scholars classify mursal as a type of ḍa‘īf because the omitted Companion is unknown — though the Companions themselves are all upright, the question is whether a Tābi‘ī might have omitted another Tābi‘ī.

Pronunciation: MUR-sal

Etymology & Root

From ر-س-ل (r-s-l), meaning 'to send loose, to release.' The narration is 'released' without naming the immediate intermediary.

Scholarly Notes

Imām Mālik and Abū Ḥanīfah accepted mursal under conditions; Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī accepted it only with supporting evidence; Imām Aḥmad and the muḥaddithīn generally rejected it as evidence on its own.

Related Terms

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