‘Ilm al-Rijāl (scrutiny of transmitters) is one of the pivotal sciences in enjoying the traditions of the Infallible Imams (A.S.). Ikhtiyar Ma‘rifat al-Rijāl is one of the most important Shī‘a rijālī books among the four principles of this science, which is written by a learned and insightful scholar of hadīth and rijāl with the style of the earlier scholars. Technical distinctions of this book, such as accurate application of expressions, extensive introduction of Shī‘a sects, the status of the Infallible Imams in ‘Ilm al-Rijāl, the very important and accurate rijālī (biographical) discourses like Ashāb-i Ijmā‘ (companions of consensus), etc. indicates that despite some criticisms, this book has a significant status in rijālī discourses.
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