Chapter Five. Kalam. The Statements
p. 173
Chapter Five
Kalm: The Statements Of The Theologians
The word usually used for scholastic theology--"kalm"--is, like "shar'a", the common term for the Law, late in making its appearance. This does not mean that there was no early Islamic theology. Rather, both Law and theology were at first comprised in the term "fiqh" (in-sight), which embraced right action and right belief. "Fiqh" contrasted with "'ilm" (knowledge), which applied chiefly to the gathering of "adth", biography and history. When it was desirable to make a distinction between "fiqh" as theology and "fiqh" as law, the expressions "fiqh fi-al-dn" (insight in religion) and "fiqh fi-al-'ilm" (insight in knowledge) were used. The latter term recognizes the close bond between right action--the Law--and "adth", the vehicle of the "sunna".
The elaboration of theology was greatly accelerated in Islam, as in other religions, by political and social history. During the first two centuries, more than one segment of the Islamic community separated from the main body, at times taking up arms against those who differed. Thus made intensely aware of boundaries, it became necessary for Islamic thinkers to state what the boundaries were.
Chapter Five
Kalm: The Statements Of The Theologians
The word usually used for scholastic theology--"kalm"--is, like "shar'a", the common term for the Law, late in making its appearance. This does not mean that there was no early Islamic theology. Rather, both Law and theology were at first comprised in the term "fiqh" (in-sight), which embraced right action and right belief. "Fiqh" contrasted with "'ilm" (knowledge), which applied chiefly to the gathering of "adth", biography and history. When it was desirable to make a distinction between "fiqh" as theology and "fiqh" as law, the expressions "fiqh fi-al-dn" (insight in religion) and "fiqh fi-al-'ilm" (insight in knowledge) were used. The latter term recognizes the close bond between right action--the Law--and "adth", the vehicle of the "sunna".
The elaboration of theology was greatly accelerated in Islam, as in other religions, by political and social history. During the first two centuries, more than one segment of the Islamic community separated from the main body, at times taking up arms against those who differed. Thus made intensely aware of boundaries, it became necessary for Islamic thinkers to state what the boundaries were.
