«وَهَذَا الْقِسْمُ مِنَ الْحَسَنِ مُشَارِكٌ لِلصَّحِيحِ فِي الِاحْتِجَاجِ بِهِ»
This category of hasan shares with sahih the capacity to serve as evidence.
Although intrinsic hasan is below intrinsic sahih in precision, both lie within the category of accepted reports. A hasan report is therefore not discarded merely for being below the highest grade. A relative difference in strength does not abolish its probative standing.
When reports conflict, however, the relative strength of the chains, a narrator's greater preservation, independent supporting routes, and other factors can determine preference. Being usable as proof does not entail overriding every stronger authentic report.