Kalām Jadīd: A Critical Reflection on New Approaches to Islamic Theology

Abstract

Modernity, shaped in large part by Western colonial expansion, has significantly influenced the development of Islamic intellectual traditions, particularly ʿilm al-kalām (the science of Islamic theology). One of its most visible consequences is the emergence of renewal (tajdīd) projects that seek to reformulate Islamic theology in response to modern intellectual and social challenges. These efforts often generate tensions with classical theological frameworks and result in diverse, and frequently competing, methodological orientations. This study examines the epistemological foundations of these competing formulations of kalām jadīd by situating them within the historical relationship between kalām and manṭiq. It argues that many contemporary theological projects appropriate modern philosophical tools without adequately engaging the classical integration of logic as an internal epistemic framework of Islamic theology. Using a qualitative approach informed by Alfred Schutz’s phenomenology, the study analyses the meaning-making processes and modes of knowledge construction among modern Muslim theologians. The findings indicate that contemporary kalām often suffers from methodological fragmentation and epistemological inconsistency due to the absence of a shared and robust methodological framework. The study concludes that critical re-engagement with the historical role of manṭiq is essential for strengthening the epistemological foundations and intellectual coherence of contemporary Islamic theology.