Higher Objectives of Islamic Theology

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 usul 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 Maqasid 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 study aims to develop a genre of Maqa?id al-?Aqida (higher objectives of Islamic theology) based on a scheme of core values (Truth, Justice, Beauty), instead of a scheme of ?udud (penalties). Arguing that the tradition's current overemphasis on law (Justice) has relegated both theology (Truth) and Sufism (Beauty) to the periphery of the tradition, Abdelnour illustrates how this marginalisation of theology and Sufism leaves less room for an 'ethical Islam' and instead prioritises 'legal' and 'political Islam.' In shifting the focus from law to theology, the book thereby grapples with such questions as: why did Islamic theology fail to develop a systemic genre of Maqa?id al-?Aqida? How do we chart out a map to guide the process of founding such an area? In what ways can the emerging Maqa?id al-?Aqida benefit from the well-established Maqa?id al-Shari?a? What are the ramifications of having an underdeveloped theology?