Ebook: Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World

Intro; Praise for the book; Series page; Title; Dedication; Contents; Preface to the Revised Edition; Preface; 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.;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.