“Marfūʿ” and “mawqūf” answer the question, “To whom is this report attributed?” “Ṣaḥīḥ” and “ḍaʿīf” answer a different question: “Is that attribution reliably established?” Confusing the two produces erroneous judgments.
Example 1: A statement is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, but its chain has a missing transmitter: marfūʿ in attribution, subject to criticism in authenticity.
Example 2: A statement is securely transmitted from Ibn ʿUmar, who does not attribute it to the Prophet: an authentic-chain mawqūf report.
Conclusion: Attribution level and authenticity are independent analytical axes.