The Higher Objectives of Islamic Theology: Toward a Theory of Maqasid al-Aqida (AAR REFLECTION AND THEORY STU RELIGION)

In the Islamic tradition, fiqh (Islamic law) is generally regarded as the science of furu'al-din (matters complementary to the Islamic faith), as opposed to kalam (Islamic theology) which is known as the science of u?ul al-din (matters primary to the Islamic faith).Over time, however, fiqh has significantly surpassed Kalam in terms of cognitive maturation and epistemic development.In The Higher Objectives of Islamic Theology, Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour argues that far too little attention has been paid to parallel developments in Islamic theology.Consequently, the theological project in the Islamic tradition has largely become limited to definitions and deliberations about the nature and qualities of the transcendent God, and has barely developed as a systematic discipline devoted to the higher objectives of Islamic theology, similar to those of Maqa?id al-Shari?a (higher objectives of Islamic law). Addressing this gap and drawing on the full-fledged genre of Maqa?id al-Shari?a, this stu