Contrary to popular opinion, the bulk of Islamic law does not come from the Qur’an but rather from hadith, first-hand reports of the prophet Muhammad’s words and deeds, passed from generation to generation. However, with varying accounts often only committed to paper a century after the death of Muhammad, Islamic scholars, past and present, have been faced with complex questions of historical authenticity.
Informative and accessible, this wide-ranging introduction provides a detailed exploration of the collection and criticism of hadith and examines the controversy surrounding its role in modern Islam. Complete with a glossary, extensive bibliography, and helpful diagrams, Hadith: An Introduction is perfectly suited to students, scholars, and the general reader interested in this critical element of Islam.
Table of Contents:
Preface to the Revised Edition
Preface
Acknowledgments
Conventions, Abbreviations, and Transliteration
1 The Prophet’s Words Then and Now: Hadith and Its Terminology
2 The Transmission and Collection of Prophetic Traditions
3 The Methods and History of Hadith Criticism
4 Prophetic Traditions in Shiite Islam
5 The Function of Prophetic Traditions in Islamic Law and Legal Theory
6 The Function of Prophetic Traditions in Theology
7 The Function of Prophetic Traditions in Sufism
8 The Function of Prophetic Traditions in Politics
9 The Authenticity Question: Western Debates over the Historical Reliability of Prophetic Traditions
10 Debates over Prophetic Traditions in the Modern Muslim World
11 Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
