THE FUNCTION OF TRADITIONS 5

rities, and to the 'living tradition' of the ancient schools of law; traditions from Companions and other authorities underwent the same process of growth, and are to be considered in the same light, as traditions from the Prophet; the study of isnāds often enables us to date traditions; the isnāds show a tendency to grow backwards and to claim higher and higher authority until they arrive at the Prophet; the evidence of legal traditions carries us back to about the year 100 A.H. only; at that time Islamic legal thought started from late Umaiyad administrative and popular practice, which is still reflected in a number of traditions.