The Canonization of al-Bukhari and Muslim: The Formation and Function of the Sunni Hadith Canon (Islamic History and Civilization)

Drawing on canon studies, this book investigates the origins, development and functions of the core of the Sunni hadith canon, the 'Authentic' hadith collections of al-Bukhari and Muslim, from the time of their authors to the modern period. The two 'Authentic' ḥadīth collections of al-Bukhārī and Muslim are the most famous books in Islam after the Qur'ān - a reality left unstudied until now. This book charts the origins, development and functions of these two texts through the lens of canonicity. It examines how the books went from controversial to indispensable as they became the common language for discussing the Prophet's legacy among the various Sunni schools of law. The book also studies the role of the ḥadīth canon in ritual and narrative. Finally, it investigates the canonical culture built around the texts as well as the trend in Sunni scholarship that rejected it, exploring this tension in contemporary debates between Salafī movements and the traditional schools of law The two 'Authentic' hadith collections of al-Bukhari and Muslim are the most famous books in Islam after the Qur'an - a reality left unstudied until now. This book charts the origins, development and functions of these two texts through the lens of canonicity. It examines how the books went from controversial to indispensable as they became the common language for discussing the Prophet's legacy among the various Sunni schools of law. The book also studies the role of the hadith canon in ritual and narrative. Finally, it investigates the canonical culture built around the texts as well as the trend in Sunni scholarship that rejected it, exploring this tension in contemporary debates between Salafi movements and the traditional schools of law. Drawing on canon studies, this book charts the origins, development and functions of the two texts through the lens of canonicity. It examines how the books went from controversial to indispensable as they became the common language for discussing the Prophet's legacy among the various Sunni schools of law Jonathan Brown. Revision Of The Author's Thesis (ph. D.)--university Of Chicago, 2006. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [387]-409) And Index.