CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICS, HAADITH LITERATURE, AND THE ARTCULATION OF SUNNI ISLAM: The Legacy of the Generation of Ibn Sa?d, Ibn Ma' N, and Ibn Hanbal

This book demonstrates the central role of ?adith scholars of the third/ninth century in the articulation of Sunni Islam. Special attention is devoted to the critical opinions of al-Dhahabi, Ibn Sa?d, Ibn Ma?in, and Ibn ?anbal.