Critical Examination of the Deductive Capacity of Kalām (Islamic Theology) and the Necessity of Establishing an Independent Discipline for the Deduction of Religious Doctrinal Knowledge

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

Abstract

In Islam, valuable doctrinal teachings have been presented, and their application requires precise inference from religious texts. Kalām (Islamic theology) is the discipline responsible for doctrinal knowledge in the Muslim world. This raises the question: What is the inferential capacity of Kalām? Can it succeed in this regard? This research employs a descriptive-analytical method to explore this question. The capacity of any discipline arises from its foundational components. The elements of Kalām—its issues, principles, sources, and methods of reasoning—have been selected and structured in accordance with its primary aim: to defend doctrinal knowledge. Consequently, its inferential capacity is inherently limited. Modifying the objective of Kalām or introducing the goal of doctrinal inference is untenable, as its foundational components—which define its essence—are incompatible with objectives that diverge from its original defensive purpose. When two objectives diverge to the extent that they necessitate distinct issues, principles, sources, and methods of reasoning, separate disciplines must be established for each goal. Kalām possesses a sufficient capacity to defend doctrinal knowledge; however, the derivation of doctrinal teachings necessitates the establishment of an independent discipline, along with the selection and formulation of appropriate sources, issues, principles, and methods of reasoning to achieve this objective.

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References

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Journal of Religious Thought : A Quarterly Journal of Shiraz University
Volume 25, Issue 2 - Serial Number 95
September 2025
Pages 87-100

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