Contrary to popular opinion the bulk of Islamic law does not come from the Quran but from hadith first-hand reports of the Prophet Muhammad's words & 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 & present have been faced with complex questions of historical authenticity In this wide-ranging introduction Jonathan A C Brown explores the collection & criticism of hadith & the controversy surrounding its role in modern Islam This edition revised & updated with additional case studies & attention to the very latest scholarship also features a new chapter on how hadiths have been used politically both historically & in the Arab Spring & its aftermath Informative & accessible it is perfectly suited to students scholars & general readers interested in this critical element of Islam