Advancing Islamic Philosophy and Theology in Contemporary Discourse

﷽

Advancing Islamic Philosophy and Theology in Contemporary Discourse

By Dr. Shoaib A. Malik
Summary by Al Balagh Academy

Introduction

Over the past century, the field of Islamic studies has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from its early orientalist roots into a more nuanced and multidisciplinary domain. This growth reflects a conscious recognition of the limitations and biases in earlier scholarship, which often oversimplified or misrepresented the intellectual contributions of Muslim theologians and philosophers. The contemporary landscape now hosts a wealth of rigorous academic inquiry that not only preserves historical traditions but also actively engages with modern philosophical and theological debates.

This special issue of the Journal of Islamic Philosophy—edited by Shoaib A. Malik—embodies this shift. It moves beyond descriptive historical studies toward constructive, normative, and exploratory frameworks that speak directly to today’s pressing questions in theology, philosophy, science, and ethics. Originating from the 2022 conference Islam, Secularism, and Atheism (University of Oxford & Cambridge Muslim College), the volume expands its focus to Islamic philosophical theology more broadly, offering a diverse range of scholarly perspectives.

Key Themes and Objectives

• From Description to Construction – Moving from cataloguing past works to developing frameworks that address modern challenges in philosophy, theology, and science.

• Integration of Classical and Contemporary Thought – Drawing on rich Islamic intellectual traditions (e.g., Ashʿarī, Māturīdī, Ismāʿīlī, Avicennian) alongside current debates in the philosophy of religion.

• Re-engagement with Modern Issues – Tackling questions of divine action, causality, miracles, atheism, and the relationship between theology and science.

• A Platform for Dialogue – Showcasing how Islamic scholarship can contribute meaningfully to twenty-first century global discourse.

Article Highlights

1. Allah the Unconditioned Reality: A Contemporary Argument for Islamic Neoplatonic Theism – Khalil Andani

• Critiques the kalām cosmological argument and modal contingency argument.

• Develops a deductive proof for God grounded in Islamic Neoplatonic metaphysics.

• Defends divine simplicity, eternal creation, and transcendence.

• Offers a distinct alternative to modern neoclassical theism.

2. Al-Māturīdī’s Divine Action Model: A Distinctive Concurrentist Account of Causality – Ramon Harvey & David Solomon Jalajel

• Reconstructs al-Māturīdī’s concurrentism, explaining God’s and creation’s participation in causality.

• Uses bundle theory ontology to explain free will, miracles, and divine omnipotence.

• Aligns theological understanding with scientific inquiry.

3. Love: An Evidential Argument for Theism – Zain Ali

• Argues that love is better explained by theism than naturalism.

• Analyses four dimensions: conceptual understanding, affective experience, responsiveness, and transformation.

• Positions love as a theological evidence for God’s existence.

4. The God of New Atheism, the God of Modern Western Intelligent Design, and Sunnī Concepts of Divine Action – David Solomon Jalajel

• Compares modern atheist and ID models with Ashʿarī, Māturīdī, and Salafī frameworks.

• Demonstrates that robust natural causation and belief in God are not mutually exclusive.

• Reinforces classical Sunnī divine action models in contemporary debates.

5. Understanding Miracles in Ashʿarī Theology: A Systematic Presentation – Shoaib A. Malik & Karim Kocsenda

• Categorizes types of miraculous phenomena in Ashʿarī thought.

• Defines criteria distinguishing prophetic miracles from other supernatural events.

• Opens discussion on miracles in light of science and theology.

Conclusion

This special issue stands as a testament to the vitality and adaptability of Islamic philosophical theology. It bridges classical heritage with contemporary discourse, challenging both reductive secular critiques and oversimplified traditionalist readings. By engaging questions of God, creation, causality, and the miraculous, it demonstrates the Islamic intellectual tradition’s enduring ability to speak meaningfully to modern philosophical concerns.

For students, researchers, and scholars, the works collected here offer both rigorous academic insights and a roadmap for future inquiry—affirming that Islamic thought is not static, but a living tradition capable of addressing the complex realities of the twenty-first century.

Explore Relevant Courses