Numerous writings and articles have discussed the significance of the works attributed to Sulaym ibn Qays. Factors contributing to the perceived importance of this text include its historical antiquity, Sulaym’s (Sulaym) status as a close companion (Saḥābī Khāṣ) of key figures, the directness of some of its narrations (Aḥādīth), reported endorsements by the Imams for certain versions of his books, and its inclusion of unique or rare content. Given that the book attributed to Sulaym ibn Qays (Kitāb Sulaym ibn Qays) is considered one of the earliest hadith compilations, a comprehensive examination of all aspects surrounding it is warranted. This article critically investigates the status of the narrators (ruwāt) of Sulaym ibn Qays and his book, as well as some of the ambiguities and challenges associated with them. The findings indicate that only Abān ibn Abī ʿAyyāsh is the direct transmitter of Sulaym’s narrations, and all of Sulaym’s aḥādīth are thus solitary reports (khabar al-wāḥid). The status of other narrators linked to the book, such as Ibn Udhayna and Maʿmar ibn Rāshid (Maʿmar ibn Rāshid), remains unclear, with serious ambiguities regarding their connection to Sulaym’s work. Furthermore, disregarding fabricated or altered transmission chains (Asnād), most of the intermediary transmitters in the Asnād of narrations attributed to Sulaym are either unknown (majhūl), unreliable (ḍaʿīf), weak, or associated with extremist Shīʿī groups (ghulāt).
Ostadi, K. (2023). The Narrators of Sulaym ibn Qays and Some Associated Ambiguities and Challenges. Hadith doctrines, 7(14), 103-128. doi: 10.30513/hd.2025.6230.1226
MLA
Ostadi, K. . "The Narrators of Sulaym ibn Qays and Some Associated Ambiguities and Challenges", Hadith doctrines, 7, 14, 2023, 103-128. doi: 10.30513/hd.2025.6230.1226
HARVARD
Ostadi, K. (2023). 'The Narrators of Sulaym ibn Qays and Some Associated Ambiguities and Challenges', Hadith doctrines, 7(14), pp. 103-128. doi: 10.30513/hd.2025.6230.1226
CHICAGO
K. Ostadi, "The Narrators of Sulaym ibn Qays and Some Associated Ambiguities and Challenges," Hadith doctrines, 7 14 (2023): 103-128, doi: 10.30513/hd.2025.6230.1226
VANCOUVER
Ostadi, K. The Narrators of Sulaym ibn Qays and Some Associated Ambiguities and Challenges. Hadith doctrines, 2023; 7(14): 103-128. doi: 10.30513/hd.2025.6230.1226