to its pillars, and those who uphold its matters and concerns. If they turn away from defending it, they are the ones who fight for it. They are the party of Allāh; indeed, the party of Allāh are the successful ones." Then al-Khaṭīb, may Allāh have mercy on him, presented the chapters that indicate the honor and virtue of the people of ḥadīth. It is permissible to mention some of them, even if the discussion becomes lengthy, to complete the benefit. However, I will limit myself to the most important and relevant ones to the topic: 1 - The saying of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "May Allāh brighten the face of a person who hears a ḥadīth from us and conveys it." 2 - The Prophet's (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) recommendation to honor the people of ḥadīth. 3 - The saying of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "This knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy ones of every generation." 4 - The fact that the people of ḥadīth are the successors of the Messenger (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) in conveying from him. 5 - The Prophet's (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) description of the faith of the people of ḥadīth. 6 - The fact that the people of ḥadīth are the closest to the Messenger (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) due to their constant prayers upon him. 7 - The Prophet's (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) glad tidings to his companions about the seekers of ḥadīth after him and the continuity of the isnād between them and him. 8 - The clarification that the isnāds are the path to knowing the rulings of the sharīʿah. 9 - The fact that the people of ḥadīth are the trustworthy ones of the messengers (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhim wa-sallam) for preserving the sunnahs and explaining them. 10 - The fact that the people of ḥadīth are the protectors of the religion by defending the sunnahs. 11 - The fact that the people of ḥadīth are the heirs of the Messenger (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) in what he left of the sunnah and types of wisdom. 12 - The fact that they are those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. 13 - The fact that they are the best of people. 14 - Those who said: The substitutes and saints are the people of ḥadīth
لأركانها، والقوامون بأمرها وشأنها، إذا صدف عن الدفاع عنها، فهم دونها يناضلون، أولئك حزب الله، ألا إن حزب الله هم المفلحون ". ثم ساق الخطيب رحمه الله تعالى الأبواب التي تدل على شرف أصحاب الحديث وفضلهم لا بأس من ذكر بعضها، وإن طال المقال، لتتم الفائدة، لكني أقتصر على أهمها وأمسها بالموضوع: ١ - قوله ﷺ: نضر الله امرءا سمع منا حديثا فبلغه. ٢ - وصية النبي ﷺ بإكرام أصحاب الحديث. ٣ - قول النبي ﷺ: يحمل هذا العلم من كل خلف عدوله. ٤ - كون أصحاب الحديث خلفاء الرسول ﷺ في التبليغ عنه. ٥ - وصف الرسول ﷺ إيمان أصحاب الحديث. ٦ - كون أصحاب الحديث أولى الناس بالرسول ﷺ لدوام صلاتهم عليه ٧ - بشارة النبي ﷺ أصحابه بكون طلبة الحديث بعده واتصال الإسناد بينهم وبينه. ٨ - البيان أن الأسانيد هي الطريق إلى معرفة أحكام الشريعة. ٩ - كون أصحاب الحديث أمناء الرسل صلى الله عليهم وسلم لحفظهم السنن وتبيينهم لها. ١٠ - كون أصحاب الحديث حماة الدين بذبهم عن السنن. ١١ - كون أصحاب الحديث ورثة الرسول ﷺ ما خلفه من السنة وأنواع الحكمة. ١٢ - كونهم الآمرين بالمعروف والناهين عن المنكر. ١٣ - كونهم خيار الناس. ١٤ - من قال: إن الأبدال والأولياء أصحاب الحديث.