ABSTRACT
Islamic theology, with its distinctive understanding of God, reflects the immense importance of Islam in the history of monotheism, to which it has brought a unique approach and style. The basis of Islamic theology is the Qur’an. For instance, the most fundamental tenets of Islamic faith can be found in a single Qur’anic verse. 1 Moreover, in the Qur’an, the Divine has been described by a number of terms, such as “ al-Ḥayy ” (the Living) and “ al-Qayyūm ” (the Self-existing). Although the Qur’an commands people to believe, it also provides rational arguments that encourage people to think about the ultimate truth before reaching the level of belief. According to Abdel Haleem, “an original model for dialectical theology can be found in the revelation itself”. 2 This view, which is shared by many Muslim theologians, is emphasised in Ðozo’s theological writings. 3
Although some of Ðozo’s theological ideas have been outlined in previous chapters, a more systematic study of his theological thought seems essential. This chapter therefore attempts to critically analyse Ðozo’s views related to the main theological questions, including God, man, revelation, and destiny. It is hoped that through an analysis of these fundamental questions, the whole spectrum of Ðozo’s theological thought will be revealed.
