Hadith Literature: Its Origin, Development & Special Features (Islamic Texts Society) Paperback – September 1, 1996

This book gave the best overall foundation of Hadith literature as it relates Sunni Islam via Sunni traditionists. It is used in various learning institutions, schools, and mosques, of which includes the renowned DarulQasim in Chicago.The book goes through every basic point about Hadith including its various early work collections dating back to the companions, successors who were known by their era and throughout history to being great traditionists, and contemporaries.It provides a solid history of Hadith sciences and it's transformation, and even has appendixes about great women scholars who were traditionalists (Also mentioning that the great Ibn Asakir learned from over 80 female traitionists of his time).This book overall provides a good literary preface for anyone wanting to dive into the depths of the Hadith science by first understanding its basics.

Great price, came on time

People who might not like this book are orientalists, modernists, and zealots looking for novel historical interpretations to what is probably the most well-preserved objective and scrupulous science of historiography ever developed. It is written by recognized experts within the tradition itself, as opposed to the publications referred to in other poorly written reviews praising books by university professors vying for novelty grant money and renown. I can't understand why anyone would give this book anything but 5 stars except that they wanted something "new and interesting" rather than the most plausable truth.

This is my favorite book on the science of hadith, and is a great companion to books by Mustafa Azami. Edited by T.J. Winter, it even includes an appendix on women scholars. Sure it doesn't cover Shia matters, but they a small minority sect outside the centers of the faith. In any case, there's hardly anything in English that covers matter in more depth from a Muslim perspective.

The book is mainly about the development of Hadith. Author also tries to prove that the science of Hadith has started before or at least with the Islam and not like some Orientalists think after 2-300 years of Islam. Author explains the classifications of the Hadiths, Isnads and Hadith writers, their life, how they were teaching and spreading. A lot of references are given to each claim so I suppose the descriptions given are real and not fantasy. Each major Hadith writer is briefly described with littel autobiography. Overall it is more like Historical text rather than techinal or philosophical explanations. There is no mention of hadits from Shia sources so it is stricly Sunni origin. Shia sources are as though non-existent so from this perspectiv I did not find it very objective. There is a nice Appendix at the end as a response to Goldziher or Schacht or people in their opinion.

It's Good but lots of its based mainly on his point of view and his elections and choices as he considered the best. When it comes to Hadith Studies. First is that compilation, how it's made , their authenticity, etc those are set facts. Then he can get points of view from different known Islamic Sheiks, Immams, Historians, Authors, Etc. And of course his point of view. , overall it wasn't bad what personally, I missed was the first part. Because Hadiths is a constant study. If are trying to keep up I do suggest A Textbook of Hadith Studies. Mohammad Hashim Kamali.