Historical Characterization of Kelâm

In its classical times, k alām, Islamic theology, was k nown or even notorious for its dialectical character, namely its problematic, speculative, and disputatious way of discourse. In this long period, however, k alām always remained essentially a discipline of fiqh, one that aims “understanding” the Islamic revelation. Since its inception, k alām has been faced with many challenges caused by dialectic, which it owned much as well, but this particular method has never been its essential character as the “new k alām” movement in modern period has proved . This article is an attempt to characterize what we may call the “classical k alām” in terms of methodology and from a historical point of view

 In its classical times, kal?m, Islamic theology, was known or even notorious for its dialectical character, namely its problematic, speculative, and disputatious way of discourse. In this long period, however, kal?m always remained essentially a discipline of fiqh, one that aims “understanding” the Islamic revelation. Since its inception, kal?m has been faced with many challenges caused by dialectic, which it owned much as well, but this particular method has never been its essential character as the “new kal?m” movement in modern period has proved. This article is an attempt to characterize what we may call the “classical kal?m” in terms of methodology and from a historical point of view.