Mohammad Ibn Sanan: A Review of His Authenticity and Weakness

Mohammad ibn Sanan is one of the best-known narrators of Hadith who is as authentic as Hosham ibn Hikam and Mofazal ibn Omar, three of them companions of infallible Imams (A.S.). Although there are more than one thousand Hadith narrated by him and mentioned in the Four- Books, his authenticity has been discussed and doubted by some authorities; some considered him as authentic, while others believed his narrations are weak. Examining his background, this essay tries to prove his authenticity. To do so, the author reviews his life and works, and then mentions the reasons of those who try to call him unauthentic. The proofs for authenticity of Mohammad ibn Sanan are finally presented.