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{{Short description|1902 book by Shibli Nomani}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Ilm-ul-Kalam
| image = Cover of Ilm-ul-Kalam.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| caption = Urdu cover
| alt = Book cover
| author = [[Shibli Nomani]]
| title_orig = علم الکلام
| orig_lang_code = ur
| country = [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]]
| language = Urdu
| subject = [[Kalam]]
| genre = [[History]]
| published = 1902
| series = Kalam series
| media_type = Print
| preceded_by = [[Al-Kalam (book)|Al-Kalam]]
| followed_by = [[Al-Ghazali (book)|Al-Ghazali]]
| oclc = 1193190097
| dewey = 297.2
| congress = BP166.1 .S517 1949
| external_url = https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/detail/ilm-ul-kalam-shibli-nomani-ebooks-1
}}
'''''Ilm-ul-Kalam''''' ({{langx|ur|علم الکلام}}) is a 20th-century historical study of classical [[Kalam]] written by [[Shibli Nomani]] and serves as the second work in his series on Kalam. The book focuses on the theological debates between the [[Ash'arism|Ash'arite]] and [[Mu'tazilism|Mu'tazilite]] schools, with brief references to the [[Maturidism|Maturidite]] tradition. Shibli expressed sympathy toward Mu'tazilite rationalism and presented critical views on Ash'arite and [[Atharism|traditionalist]] interpretations. Because of these views, the work received limited acceptance among the [[ulama]], and a fatwa of [[takfir]] was issued against him. Despite this, the book is recognized in academic circles for its analytical discussion and originality. Later, Shibli wrote another related work, [[Al-Kalam (book)|''Al-Kalam'']], in which he presented his own modern interpretation of theology, considered an early effort to develop a 'new Kalam'.

== Background ==
Shibli Nomani wrote ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' at a time when [[Western culture|Western]] [[science]] and [[Western philosophy|philosophy]] were influencing educated Muslims in India. As many began to believe that [[Islam|religion]] and [[Rationalism|reason]] could not coexist, Shibli aimed to show that Islam possessed its own rich tradition of rational theology.<ref name=":Azmi45">{{Cite book |last=Azmi |first=Abdul Lateef |url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/detail/maulana-shibli-ka-martaba-urdu-adab-mein-ebooks |title=Maulana Shibli Ka Martaba Urdu Adab Mein |publisher=Shibli Academy |year=1945 |location=India |pages=95 |language=ur}}</ref> His interest in theology began during his years at the [[Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College]] in [[Aligarh]]. In 1895, he published an article titled ''<nowiki/>'Itizal wa al-Mutazilah''' in the magazine ''[[Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq]]'', which explored the origins and principles of the [[Mu'tazilism|Mu'tazilite school]].<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Yeaqub |first=Md |title=Writings of Allama Shibli Nomani in Arabic : Edition and annotation |degree=PhD |publisher=[[Aligarh Muslim University]] |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/666571 |language=ar |year=2019 |location=India |hdl=10603/666571 |p=145}}</ref> He continued to study related subjects, developing a broader understanding of the evolution of Islamic theological thought.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Haq |first=Sirajul |title=Maqalat e Shibli ka adbi aur tanqeedi jaiza |type=PhD |publisher=Department of Urdu, [[Delhi University]] |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/439484 |language=ur |page=109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920114558/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/439484 |archive-date=20 September 2025 |year=2021 |location=India |hdl=10603/439484 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the death of [[Syed Ahmad Khan]] in 1898, Shibli resigned from his post at Aligarh and joined the Department of Education in the [[princely state]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]]. His first work in the Kalam series from this period was a study of [[Al-Ghazali (book)|''Al-Ghazali'']], focusing on [[al-Ghazali]]'s life and theological views. He then began composing ''Ilm-ul-Kalam''.<ref name=":MAli2">{{Cite thesis |last=Ali |first=Mohsin |title=Modern Islamic Historiography: A Global Perspective from South Asia |degree=PhD |publisher=[[University of California]] |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4dw2f7k1 |language=en |pages=155 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621071752/https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4dw2f7k1 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |year=2022 |location=USA}}</ref>

Despite his declining health, Shibli completed the book in February 1902.<ref name=":Ahrari99">{{Cite thesis |last=Ahrari |first=Mohd Jafar |title=The renaissance of Urdu literature and Shibli |type=PhD |publisher=School of Language Literature and Culture Studies, [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/16762 |language=ur |pages=88 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250919231544/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/16762 |archive-date=19 September 2025 |year=1999 |location=India |url-status=live |hdl=10603/16762}}</ref> Some sections, such as his discussion of the [[Maturidism|Maturidi school]]—the [[Hanafi school|Hanafi]] branch of theology—are relatively brief because of the limited availability of sources on the topic.<ref name=":Ahrari99" /> Using classical works such as [[The Incoherence of the Philosophers|''The Incoherence of the Philosophers'']], ''al-Tafriqah bayn al-Islam wa al-Zandaqah'', ''al-Kalam ala al-Muhassil'', ''Rawmantiq'', ''Kitab al-Ruh'', and ''Sharh Mawaqif al-Sadat'', he structured ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' as a systematic account of the development of Islamic theology and its subfields.<ref name=":Ahrari99" />

Shibli initially planned to publish ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' alongside another work titled [[Al-Kalam (book)|''Al-Kalam'']], which would present his own modern theological ideas. Later, he decided to release ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' separately and postponed the completion of ''Al-Kalam''.{{Sfn|Ahrari|1999|p=89}} The book was translated into Bengali language by Muhammad Abdullah, a professor at the [[University of Dhaka]], and published by the [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]] in 1981.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nomani |first=Shibli |url=https://archive.org/details/Shiblibengaliilmulkalam |title=Islāmī Darśan |publisher=[[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh]] |year=1981 |location=Dhaka |language=bn |translator-last=Abdullah |translator-first=Muhammad}}</ref>

== Synopsis ==
The book focuses on the history, development, and influence of [[Kalam]] rather than serving as a treatise on the discipline itself.<ref name=":Siddiqi88">{{Cite book |last=Siddiqi |first=Zafar Ahmad |url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/detail/shibli-hindustani-adab-ke-memar-zafar-ahmad-siddiqi-ebooks-1 |title=Shibli: Hindustani Adab Ke Memar |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1988 |location=India |pages=57 |language=ur |oclc=18816366}}</ref> Shibli begins by explaining the necessity and usefulness of Kalam, its origins, and its gradual evolution across eras. He outlines principles for writing its history, noting that while authors may adopt their own style, they must preserve the foundational principles established by the early scholars (Salaf).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nomani |first=Khursheed |url=https://www.rekhta.org/ebooks/detail/dar-ul-musannifeen-ki-tareekh-aur-ilmi-khidmat-part-002-khursheed-nomani-ebooks |title=Dar-ul-musannifin Ki Tareekh Aur Ilmi Khidmat |publisher=Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy |year=2004 |volume=2 |location=India |pages=70 |language=ur}}</ref> The book presents the beliefs and doctrines of major theological schools, including the [[Mu'tazilism]], [[Ash'arism]], and [[Maturidism]], and highlights the differences among them. Notable events and circumstances in the lives of theologians are also recorded.<ref name=":Siddiqi88" />

The work is organized into four parts. The first traces the beginnings and historical development of Kalam. The second examines its relationship with doctrines and philosophy, discussing both advantages and limitations. The third presents biographies of key theologians, while the fourth describes the modern style of Kalam and its significance.<ref name=":NSS">{{Cite journal |last1=Nadia |last2=Liaquat |first2=Samreena |last3=Naeem |first3=Sharmeen |date=2022 |title=Religious Thoughts and Services of Allama Shibli Nomani |url=http://www.al-azhaar.org/index.php/alazhar/article/view/316 |journal=Al-Azhār |language=ur |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=26 |doi=10.46896/alazhr.v8i01.316 |doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 |issn=2519-6707}}</ref>

Shibli also addresses the reasons for differences in Islamic beliefs and chronicles the compilation, propagation, and opposition of Kalam up to the fifth century [[Islamic calendar|Hijri]].<ref name=":Akhtar88">{{Cite thesis |last=Akhtar |first=Md Jamil |title=Maulana Shibli Noamani As A Biographer And Historian |type=PhD |publisher=University Department of Urdu, [[Lalit Narayan Mithila University]] |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/496281 |language=ur |page=280 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250921220545/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/496281 |archive-date=21 September 2025 |year=1988 |location=India |url-status=live}}</ref> He provides detailed discussions of Ash'arite Kalam, citing the works and achievements of scholars such as [[Al-Ghazali]] and [[Fakhr al-Din al-Razi]], and examines the role in Kalam of figures including [[Averroes|Ibn Rushd]], [[Ibn Taymiyya]], and [[Shah Waliullah Dehlawi]]. The ideas of Islamic philosophers, such as [[al-Farabi]], [[Avicenna|Ibn Sina]], [[Miskawayh]], and [[Shihab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash Suhrawardi|Suhrawardi]], are also discussed.<ref name=":Akhtar88" />

Throughout the book, Shibli engages with philosophical arguments that challenged Islamic doctrines, responding to them comprehensively within the framework of Islam.<ref name=":NSS" /> The work concludes with a concise commentary on the science of Kalam, discussing its merits and continued relevance.<ref name=":Siddiqi88" />

== Intra-school debate ==
Shibli emphasized the use of reason in interpreting religious beliefs and [[Sharia]] rulings, including the analysis of [[Āyah|Quranic verses]] and [[Hadith]].<ref name=":MahmudDU">{{Cite thesis |last=Mahmud |first=Minhaj Uddin |title=Contribution of Allama Shibli Nu'mani to Urdu Literature |type=PhD |publisher=[[University of Dhaka]] |url=http://repository.library.du.ac.bd:8080/bitstream/handle/123456789/886/Minhaj%20Uddin.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |language=bn |page=126 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531151106/http://repository.library.du.ac.bd:8080/bitstream/handle/123456789/886/Minhaj%20Uddin.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=31 May 2023 |year=2016 |location=Bangladesh |url-status=dead}}</ref> In his historical assessment, he appeared to show greater appreciation for the [[Mu'tazilism]].<ref name=":MahmudDU" /> He described them as an intellectual group devoted to truth and service to Islam, while portraying the traditionalist scholars (Muhaddithin) as more rigid and prone to error. He also noted that some jurists and Muhaddithin shared Mu'tazilite perspectives.<ref name=":MahmudDU" />

Shibli was also critical of the [[Ash'arism]]. He considered their doctrinal positions to be contrary to reason, highlighted weaknesses in their theology, and cited other scholars to challenge their views.<ref name=":MahmudDU" /> He observed that some major Ash'ari mutakallimin were uncertain about their own positions and attributed theological misunderstandings and intolerance in the Muslim world to Ash'aris.<ref name=":MahmudDU" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Syed |first=Baqar Hassan |date=2018 |title=Kalām in a Post-Traditional World: Shiblī Nu'mānī's Construction of Authority in 'Ilmul-Kalām and al-Kalām |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/811900 |journal=Pakistan Journal of Historical Studies |language=en |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=56 |doi=10.2979/pjhs.3.2.02 |issn=2470-8518 |s2cid=198006035 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Shibli criticized the Asharite denial of [[Nature|natural]] [[causality]], which held that God directly creates everything at every moment, arguing that this view undermines trust in natural laws and contradicts observable regularities.{{Sfn|Syed|2018|p=156}} He emphasized that humans understand natural causality through experience and scientific observation, and that these processes form part of a system created by God.{{Sfn|Syed|2018|p=157}} Shibli was particularly concerned with the Asharite approach to [[miracle]]s, which he believed treated all events as divine interventions, making rare miracles indistinguishable from ordinary occurrences.{{Sfn|Syed|2018|p=160}} He noted that supernatural claims, including those by saints, magicians, or possessed individuals, were often presented alongside prophetic miracles, creating difficulties in judging their authenticity. To address this, he proposed guidelines for evaluating reports of past events: stronger evidence is required for rare or unusual occurrences; possibility alone does not imply certainty; rare events should not cast doubt on regular phenomena; and uncertain events should be judged by what is most probable. Shibli applied these principles to challenge widespread miracle stories, arguing that misreporting or misunderstanding is more likely than supernatural intervention.{{Sfn|Syed|2018|p=160}}

== Legacy ==
The book faced both praise and controversy. Many scholars of his time accused Shibli of leaning toward Mu'tazilite thought,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dehlvi |first=Ghulam Rasool |date=18 May 2016 |title=Recalling Maulana Shibli Nomani and His Religious Ideas Inspired By Ilm ul Kalam |url=https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/recalling-maulana-shibli-nomani-his/d/107332 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018141111/https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/recalling-maulana-shibli-nomani-his/d/107332 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |access-date=17 October 2022 |work=[[New Age Islam]] |language=en}}</ref> and some even called the book incomplete.{{Sfn|Haq|2021|p=110}} His discussion on [[Prophet]]hood led to a fatwa of [[takfir]] (a religious verdict of disbelief) against him, and several ulama refused to accept him as a religious authority.{{Sfn|Haq|2021|p=110}} Due to these differences and criticisms, Shibli resigned from his position at [[Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama]] in 1913.{{Sfn|Mahmud|2016|p=254}}

Despite the criticism, many modern scholars regard ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' as a pioneering work. Abdul Hafiz of [[Indira Gandhi National Open University]] described it as 'an extremely unique book' and 'a primary source' on the history of Kalam.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://egyankosh.ac.in//handle/123456789/79256 |title=Urdu Non-fiction |publisher=[[Indira Gandhi National Open University]] |year=2021 |editor-last=Hafiz |editor-first=Abdul |volume=1 |location=India |pages=277 |language=ur |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223162829/https://www.egyankosh.ac.in/handle/123456789/79256 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shaista Khatoon of [[Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University]] noted that Shibli's presentation and introduction of major theologians reflected exceptional scholarly ability.<ref name=":Khatoon">{{Cite thesis |last=Khatoon |first=Shaista |title=Allama Shibli ka kirdar Muslim khawatin ki talimi wa samaji taraqqi men |type=PhD |publisher=Department of Urdu, [[Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University]] |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/128335 |language=ur |page=55 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224183802/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/128335 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |year=2013 |location=India |hdl=10603/128335 |url-status=live}}</ref> Saeed Ansari observed that the information contained in its few pages surpasses what could be gathered from thousands of other works on the subject.<ref name=":Khatoon" />

Other scholars have highlighted its intellectual and linguistic aspects. Zafar Ahmad Siddiqi stated that, in the context of Kalam's history, its information has no parallel in Urdu, according it the status of a primary source.{{Sfn|Siddiqi|1988|p=58}} Abdul Lateef Azmi remarked that Shibli not only introduced Urdu to a new field of knowledge but also rendered an important service to religion.<ref name=":Azmi45" /> Mohd Jafar Ahrari of [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] noted its comprehensiveness, stating that even after reading thousands of pages, such a vast repository of knowledge is rarely found.<ref name=":Ahrari99" />

Md Jamil Akhtar of [[Lalit Narayan Mithila University]] wrote that no theologian before Shibli in India had combined reason and logic so effectively to defend the faith.{{Sfn|Akhtar|1988|p=281}} Mehdi Afadi described ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' as one of Shibli's most important works, using the metaphor that he 'contained the ocean in a jar' and opened a new branch of knowledge in Urdu.{{Sfn|Nomani|2004|p=75}} [[Sabahuddin Abdur Rahman]] observed that both ''Ilm-ul-Kalam'' and [[Al-Kalam (book)|''Al-Kalam'']] are true reflections of Shibli's thought.{{Sfn|Nomani|2004|p=75}}

Sirajul Haq of [[Delhi University]] affirmed that this was the first Urdu work on Kalam, explaining its relevance in scholarly debate, especially among the [[ulama]].{{Sfn|Haq|2021|p=109}} Baqar Hassan Syed added that its true value lies in presenting a creative attempt to make the Islamic tradition respond to evolving ideas of truth and morality while reflecting the challenges faced by reformers who sought to speak with authority on religion.{{Sfn|Syed, Baqar Hassan (2018|p=67}}

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Deobandi theological works|Deobandi theological works]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite thesis |last=Gasman |first=Fejri |title=Shibli Numanis contribution to revitalization of Ilm al-kalam |degree=MA |publisher=[[International Islamic University Malaysia]] |url=https://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/entities/publication/f81cc928-6269-46b9-b8ec-bc272952deb2 |language=en |page=50–90 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250921212035/https://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/entities/publication/f81cc928-6269-46b9-b8ec-bc272952deb2 |archive-date=21 September 2025 |url-status=live |year=2012 |location=Malaysia}}

== External links ==
* [[iarchive:ilmulkalam 202001|Urdu version]] at [[Internet Archive]]
* [[iarchive:TareekhilmUlKlaam|Persian version]] at [[Internet Archive]]
* [[iarchive:Shiblibengaliilmulkalam|Bengali version]] at [[Internet Archive]]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Deobandi theological works]]
[[Category:Books by Shibli Nomani]]
[[Category:1902 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Urdu-language books]]
[[Category:Indian non-fiction books]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian books]]
[[Category:Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy books]]
[[Category:Islamic theology books]]
[[Category:Mu'tazilism]]

Ilm-ul-Kalam - Revision history

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