Christopher Melchert, Ph.D. (1992) in History, University of Pennsylvania, is a student of Islamic movements and institutions of the ninth and tenth centuries C.E. He has published half a dozen articles besides this, his first book.

'Melchert puts the institutional history of Islamic law on a new evidentiary basis. His account of the origins of the madhhabs of law is clear and carefully documented. Readers will find new accounts of how the different schools approached the law: of the nature of traditionalist jurisprudence, of its effect on jurisprudence by ra'y, of the compromise nature of the classical madhhabs of law. Of basic importance is Melchert's thorough knowledge of the sources and his insightful use of them. He has made a fundamental contribution to the field.'George Makdisi, Professor Emeritus of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Pennsylvania.'…this book could have enormous significance for scholars working in Islamic theology, history, and Sufism.'Jonathan E. Brockopp, Religious Studies Review, 2000.