This article examines the role of the isnad in the thought of Ibn al-Salah al-Shahrazuri (577/1181-643/1245) and other later hadith experts. In earlier times, isnads had been scrutinized to determine the authenticity of hadith. After the appearance in the third/ninth century of the great collections of sound hadith, like those of Bukhari (194/810-256/870) and Muslim (202/817-261/875), scholars came to regard this function of the isnad as less important. In fact, most students of hadith in Ayyubid and later times primarily saw the isnad as a conduit for elevation. Ibn al-Salah recognized this and attempted to reconcile the earlier and later opinions regarding the purpose of the isnad.