The Vague characters from the sheikhs of Imam Al-Shafi’i in his Musnad: ACritical study

The aim of the present research is to clarify what Imam al-Shafi’i (may God have mercy on him) vaguely understands from his elders in his Musnad. Many times Imam al-Shafi’i says: “The Trust One”, or tell me “I do not accuse” and about “Man” in his narrations; however, he never told the reader whom they are. Thus, the present research is an attempt to find out the reason of this ambiguity and to know the meaning behind using these vague expressions. Moreover, to verify the sayings of these sheikhs, and to know other scholars’ views in accepting such documentation on the opacity or not.