Kalam | June 23, 2004

The arab word Kalam means speech or discussion. It is the word used for the Dogmatic theology in Islam, also known as ilm al-tawhid “The science of [the Divine] Unity”. One who does Kalam is a Mutakallim. In contrast to Christian theology the formal enterprise has never enjoyed a dominant position among the religious sciences. There has been considerable and varied theological activity in Islam, but legal and ritual issues have always played a more dominant role. The correct practice (orthoprax) has been more basic than the correct doctrine (orthodox), especially if the latter is understood primarily intellectually. The Qu’ran is itself a work of religious inspiration, not a theological treatise.