ABSTRACT
The issue of kalām is extensive and encompasses many subject matters. Accordingly, the orthodox reaction to kalām is complex and varied. In order to focus on the heart of the orthodox reaction, its methodology and goals, we need to focus on some of the major theological controversies in Islam. In general, these revolve around the nature of God and His Attributes. This topic includes concepts such as God’s Speech, which relates to the belief in the uncreatedness of the Qur’ān, and God’s Will, which relates to the belief in the createdness of the world. An intricate part of these controversies is the methodology used to explain the nature of God. The mutakallimūn believe that the verses of the Qur’ān related to God’s Attributes need to be interpreted through argument based on logical proofs. This view takes the form of upholding the denial of a reality for the Attributes, as in the case of the Mu‘tazilah, or of defending a restricted meaning of them, as in the case of the Ash‘ariyyah. The traditionalists, on the other hand, attempt to discredit the use of kalām and to refute many of the conclusions of the Mu‘tazilah and the Ash‘ariyyah. In this chapter we shall trace the differing beliefs connected to the Attributes of God in order to understand some of the various issues concerning the opposition to kalām in certain schools of orthodox Islamic thought.
