1. Tafsir (interpretation)
Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Jarir
al-Tabari (d. 923)
Mukhtasar Ta’rikh al-Rusul wa’l-Muluk
(Abbreviated History of Prophets and
Kings)
Jami‘ al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil Ay al-Qur’an
(Compilation of What is Clear about the
Explanation of the Verses of the Qur’an)

2. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il al-Bukhari
Sahih (Authoritative Traditions,
contains about 7500 hadiths)
isnad = chain of transmitters
e.g. Ibn ‘Abbas informed me that ‘Ali
ibn Sa‘id said that Abu Hurayra said,
on the authority of Zayd ibn Thabit,
that the Prophet said…

3. Trends in Islamic practice:
Traditionalists: Adhering to tradition and texts
that have developed over the ages.
Theoretically opposed to change
Islamists (Literalists/Fundamentalists): Seeking
return to pious practice of early Muslim
community through use of only Qur’an and
hadith. Rejecting later scholarship. Include
majority of extremist fringe that one tends
to see in the media

4. Trends in Islamic practice:
Modernists: Advocating adaptation to modern
times. Look for spirit of teachings of
Qur’an and hadith. Faith as a personal
matter. Interpreting teachings of texts in
light of modern ideas on democracy,
freedom, social justice

5. Abdullah Yusuf Ali (d. 1953)
Indian, educated in India and England
Originally Shi‘ite, but was concerned
for all Muslims. Also modernist and
mystical tendencies

6. Muhammad Abduh (d. 1905) and
Muhammad Rashid Rida (d. 1935)
Modernists advocating Islamic reform.
Edited Tafsir al-Manar
(Interpretation of the Minaret)