From Sulaymaan ibn Mus-hir: from Kharashah ibn al-Hurr, who said: ýA man bore witness in the presence of `Umar ibn al-Khattaab -radiyallaahu `anhu, so `Umar said to him: ýI do not know you, and it does not harm you that I do not know you, but bring someone who does know you.ý So a man said: ýI know him, O Chief of the Believers.ý He said: ýWhat do you know of him.ý He said: ýUprightness.ý He said: ýIs he your closest neighbour; so that you know about his night and his day, and his comings and goings?ý He said: ýNo.ý He said: ýSo have you had (monetary) dealings with him involving dirhams and deenars, which will indicate his piety?ý He said: ýNo.ý He said: ýThen has he been your companion upon a journey which could indicate to you his good character?ý He said: ýNo.ý He said: ýThen you do not know him.ý Then he said to the man: ýBring me someone who knows you.ý1
________ [1] Reported by al-Bayhaqee and others, and it was declared to be ýsaheehý (authentic) by Ibnus-Sakan, and our Shaikh [i.e.Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee] agreed; and refer toýal-Irwaaýý (no.2637). [From ýal-Fawaaidul-Hisaaný(2/18-19) of Husayn al-`Awaayishah]. Translated by Dawood Burbank