An Examination of Al-Albani's Quranic Documentation Regarding the Authority of Solitary Reports (Khabar Wahid) in Beliefs

One of Al-Albani's foundational beliefs is reliance on solitary reports (khabar wahid) in all matters of creed. Like his fellow Wahhabi adherents, he believes that just as solitary reports serve as a basis for action, they can also form the foundation of beliefs, since the Prophet's Sunnah is authoritative, and solitary reports are part of that Sunnah. Al-Albani has authored two books on this matter, including "Al-Hadith Hujjatun bi Nafsihi fi al-Ahkam wa al-Aqa'id" (The Hadith is an Authority in Itself in Matters of Law and Beliefs). In this book, he cites three verses from the Quran. He initially relies on the apparent meaning of verse 122 of Surah At-Tawbah (An-Nafar) and verse 36 of Surah Al-Isra, and finally, he refers to the contrary concept of verse 6 of Surah Al-Hujurat (An-Naba). However, none of these verses support his claim. The most that can be derived from the verse of An-Nafar is the authority of the religious jurist's (faqih) statement. Verse 36 of Surah Al-Isra, contrary to Al-Albani's claim, prohibits the establishment of beliefs based on conjecture, including solitary reports. Furthermore, the verse of An-Naba does not possess a contrary concept, as its contrary concept was not a basis for the Prophet's or his companions' actions.