al-Hamdu Lillaah, indeed the Shaykh has memorised a hundred thousand hadeeth...

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Shaykh 'Asheesh narrates an incident when the Imaam of Hadeeth, the Shaykh - Muhammad
Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (rahima-hullaah) was explaining the different scholarly levels of hadeeth,
and Shaykh al-Albaanee went on to say:
"al-Haafidth is one who has memorised a hundred thousand hadeeth along with their chains of
narration and the text (of each hadeeth)."

So Shaykh 'Asheesh responds:

"Is it possible for me to be satisfied in the knowledge that our Shaykh has memorised a hundred
thousand hadeeth?"

Shaykh al-Albaanee said:

"This does not concern you."

Shaykh 'Asheesh said:

"Rather, it is from that which does concern me."

Shaykh al-Albaanee said:

"…does not concern you."

Shaykh 'Asheesh said:

"So is it possible for me to say that our Shaykh is a haafidth?"

So Shaykh al-Albaanee became quiet.

Shaykh 'Asheesh said:

"So is it possible for me to take your silence as an answer?"

Shaykh al-Albaanee said:

"Have I not told you that this does not concern you?"

Shaykh 'Asheesh said:

"Yes. This is from that which does concern me. Is it possible for me to interpret (your) lack of
response as an answer?"

So the Shaykh became quiet.

And Shaykh 'Asheesh repeated his question to him a number of times.

Shaykh al-Albaanee recited:

"{And whatever you have of the blessings, then it is from Allaah}."

And Shaykh 'Asheesh quickly said:

"Can I interpret this as an answer?"

Shaykh al-Albaanee said:

"It is for you to interpret it as an answer and it is for you to interpret it as whatever you wish."

Shaykh 'Asheesh narrates:

"So I happily proclaimed: "Allaahu Akbar", and jubilantly exclaimed: "Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah", and said:
"al-Hamdu Lillaah, indeed the Shaykh has memorised a hundred thousand hadeeth."

So our Shaykh laughed; It was as if he confirmed what I was saying."

Shaykh 'Asheesh further narrates:

"From his responses from the beginning to the end there never was a clear answer from the
Shaykh, so this does not imply anything except his extreme humility."

Safahaat baydhaa. min hayaat Shaykhinaa al-Albaanee – Page 40