Hadith No: 2
Al-Dhahabi - Meezan al-I'tidal fi Naqd al-Rijal - Letter 'S'
Volume: (2) - Page Number: (251)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
3621 - Suwayd ibn Said Abu Muhammad al-Harawi al-Hadithani al-Anbari:
- Muslim considered him an authority and al-Baghawi and Ibn Najiya narrated from him, along with many others.
- He was a man of hadith and memorization, but he grew old and became blind, so he could sometimes be prompted with materials that were not part of his own narrations, yet he was truthful in himself and possessed a sound collection.
- Abu Hatim said: He is truthful, with much ta'dis (delayed narration).
- Al-Baghawi said: He was one of the preservers (of hadith).
- Abu Zur'ah said: As for his books, they are authentic.
- Al-Maimuni narrated from Ahmad, who said: I knew of him only good, to which a man replied: A person came to him with the Book of Virtues and placed Ali first, putting Abu Bakr last. Abu Abdullah was astonished by this and said: Perhaps he was influenced by someone else.
- Salih Jazarah said: Suwayd is truthful, except that he became blind and would be prompted with things that were not part of his hadith.
- Al-Daraqutni said: He is trustworthy.
.... And with him: narrated to us: Sharik from Salamah ibn Kuhayl from al-Sunabihi
from Ali, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) said, "I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate. Whoever wishes to enter the city should come to the gate of the city."