Where Does the Attribution End?

Distinguish marfūʿ, mawqūf, and maqṭūʿ from the stated attribution. Read the bilingual lesson for Where Does the Attribution End? and test your understanding with a focused quiz.

Lesson

1. Marfūʿ, Mawqūf, and Maqṭūʿ

● Marfūʿ: a report attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. ● Mawqūf: a saying, action, or tacit approval attributed to a Companion. ● Maqṭūʿ: a saying or action attributed to a Successor.

2. Identify the Attribution

● “إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ” is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. ● The words after “وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ” are a statement of Ibn ʿUmar. ● “إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ” is a statement of Muḥammad ibn Sīrīn. ● Attribution to the Prophet ﷺ is marfūʿ, ● attribution to a Companion is mawqūf, ● and attribution to a Successor is maqṭūʿ.

3. Three Examples

● Marfūʿ example: “إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ” is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. ● Mawqūf example: the words after “وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ” are a statement of Ibn ʿUmar. ● Maqṭūʿ example: “إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ” is a statement of Muḥammad ibn Sīrīn.

4. An Attribution Name Is Not an Authenticity Ruling

● A marfūʿ report may be accepted or weak. ● A mawqūf or maqṭūʿ report may likewise be accepted or rejected. ● These three terms identify attribution, not authenticity.

5. A Simple Way to Practise

● Choose marfūʿ for attribution to the Prophet ﷺ, ● mawqūf for attribution to a Companion, ● and maqṭūʿ for attribution to a Successor.

Practice questions

Question 1

“إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ” is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. What is this attribution called?

  • Marfūʿ
  • Mawqūf
  • Maqṭūʿ

Question 2

The words after “وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ” are a statement of Ibn ʿUmar. What is this attribution called?

  • Marfūʿ
  • Mawqūf
  • Maqṭūʿ

Question 3

“إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ ...” is attributed to Muḥammad ibn Sīrīn, a Successor. What is this attribution called?

  • Marfūʿ
  • Mawqūf
  • Maqṭūʿ

Question 4

What should you look for when identifying a saying, action, or tacit approval as mawqūf?

  • The total number of transmitters
  • The saying, action, or tacit approval being attributed to a Companion
  • The wording being short

Question 5

If a report is called marfūʿ, that word alone also proves its authenticity.

  • True
  • False

Open the interactive quiz