"Hadith" is understood here as the bulk of the texts which contain information on Muhammad and his Companions, having the form of transmissions from them. The reliability of this material as a source for Islam is a highly debated issue. This text presents the different perspectives in this debate.



Hadith is understood here in its broader meaning as the bulk of the texts which contain information on the prophet Muhammad and his Companions, having the form of transmissions from them. The reliability of this material as a source for early Islam is still a highly debated issue. This selection of articles presents the different points of view in this debate and the varying methodological approaches with which scholars trained in modern secular sciences have tried to find a solution to the problem.