The reason for the famous statement: ”Name for us your men”

Question:

What is the reason for the statement of Imām Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him:

سموا لنا رجالكم

“Name for us your men”

And who did he say this to?

Answer:

The statement wasn’t from Imām Ahmad. It was said by Muhammed bin Sireen, who was from the Imāms of the Taabi’een, may Allah have mercy upon him:

“We previously never used to ask about the (narrators in the) chain of narration, however with occurrence of the Fitnah (the emergence of the people of innovation), we would say:

“Name for us your men”.

Then if after looking into those mentioned, we found them to be from the people of the Sunnah, their narrations would get accepted, and if after looking into those mentioned, we found them to be from the people of innovation, their narrations wouldn’t be taken.”

Answered by:
Shaykh Abu Hamza Hassan bin Muhammed Ba Shu’ayb -may Allah preserve him-

Source:
https://t.me/Bashuaib/1639

Translated by:
Abu Ibrāhim Nāsir bin Rāshid Al-Māmry

Slightly edited by:
Abu Abdirrahman Mohammed Ali Al Hindy