The Demise of ’Ilm al-Kalam

Abstract

Ibn Khaldun’s discussion of kalam in the Muqaddimah tells us much about the state of Sunni theology in the Mamluk period. As Sunni Islam became increasingly defined, a number of factors contributed to theology’s decline, some of which we find described in the Muqaddimah. But uncovering the factors involved in theology’s decline also forces us to look elsewhere and doubt or discredit some of Ibn Khaldun’s assertions. In this chapter, we will identify four key factors that contributed to the decline and virtual demise of Sunni theology, while giving special attention to the Athari anti-theological movement. Along the way, we will uncover a number of unlikely suspects and culprits, and investigate a range of clues from a variety of sources. The chapter then concludes with a very brief investigation into the history of kalam over the last five hundred years, reviewing some of the isolated and failed attempts to renew Sunni theology up to the twentieth century (CE).

In general, it must be known that this science, ’ilm al-kalam, is not something that is necessary to the contemporary student. Heretics and innovators have been destroyed. The orthodox religious leaders have given us protection against heretics and innovators in their systematic works and treatments. Logical arguments were needed only when they defended and supported their views with them. Now all that remains of them is a certain amount of discussion, from most of whose ambiguities and inferences the Creator can be considered free.¹

—Ibn Khaldun (ca. 1375 CE)