An Introduction to the Hadith (The New Edinburgh Islamic Surveys)

The Hadith are believed to be the words of the Prophet, memorised by his followers and written down in the first or second centuries AD. This is a clear introduction to the arguments surrounding both the Hadith and the documents themselves. Comparing the views put forward in the Hadith with those of the Qur'an, it takes the student through all aspects of the Hadith in clear and accessible terms. Highly recommended to academic and public libraries seriously collecting works on Islam. John Burton demonstrates once again his penetrating insight into Islamic tradition. – Uri Rubin The text is well-written and presented in a fairly lucid and simple style. – Dr. Muhammed Haron, University of the Western Cape Presents comprehensively and critically the present state of Hadith studies. Glossary, bibliography and index as well as the other well-established high standards of production of volumes published in the Islamic Surveys series make the book a basic tool for the study of Islam in past and present. Highly recommended to academic and public libraries seriously collecting works on Islam. John Burton demonstrates once again his penetrating insight into Islamic tradition. The text is well-written and presented in a fairly lucid and simple style. Presents comprehensively and critically the present state of Hadith studies. Glossary, bibliography and index as well as the other well-established high standards of production of volumes published in the Islamic Surveys series make the book a basic tool for the study of Islam in past and present.