If two accepted reports cannot reasonably be reconciled and their chronological order is unknown, the next stage is tarjih (preference). Evidence may favor one report through stronger precision of transmitters, better continuity, preserved wording, independent paths, or relevant corroboration.
Preference is not the act of choosing a report because it supports a favored legal result. It requires an articulable and assessable evidential ground.
Different indicators may sometimes point in different directions, so the comparative judgment cannot invariably be reduced to a single number or superficial characteristic.