Islamic Theology: An Introduction to ‘Ilm al-Kalam

Islamic Theology: An Introduction to 'Ilm al-Kalam by Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani presents a systematic examination of Islamic theological discourse, analyzing the rational and scriptural foundations of Muslim doctrinal thought from a Shi'i perspective. The work methodically addresses core theological concepts, including God and His attributes, Divine Justice, Prophethood, Imamate, and the Afterlife, while integrating classical proofs with contemporary philosophical discourse. Sobhani's analysis synthesizes traditional theological methodologies with modern analytical approaches, demonstrating the intellectual rigor of Islamic theological tradition.

This comprehensive study examines key theological problems including the relationship between reason and revelation, the ontological status of divine attributes, and questions of theodicy and human agency. The text serves multiple scholarly purposes: as a reference work for advanced theological study, a methodological guide to Islamic rational theology, and a critical examination of classical theological arguments. Suitable for graduate students, researchers, and academics in Islamic studies, theology, and comparative religion, this work contributes to both the theoretical understanding of the key debates in 'Ilm al-Kalam and their relevance to contemporary theological discourse.

Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani (b. 1929) is among the leading Shi'i scholars and theologians of the contemporary era. Based in Qom, Iran, he has authored over 250 works in Arabic and Persian spanning Islamic theology, jurisprudence, Qur'anic exegesis, and comparative religion. He founded the Imam Sadiq (a.s.) Institute for Islamic Studies in 1979, which has become a prominent center for theological research and training. As a student, he studied under prominent scholars, including Allamah Tabataba'i, before becoming an emninent teacher of the seminary in his own right, with his advanced jurisprudence classes attracting over 600 students. His scholarly contributions have been particularly notable in systematic theology, Qur'anic studies, and interfaith dialogue. He has engaged in numerous academic conferences worldwide while upholding traditional Islamic scholarship.