The Higher Objectives of Islamic Theology

In the Islamic tradition, fiqh (Islamic law) is generally regarded as the science of fur'al-dn (matters complementary to the Islamic faith), as opposed to kalm (Islamic theology) which is known as the science of ul al-dn (matters primary to the Islamic faith). Over time, however, fiqh has significantly surpassed Kalm 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 Maqid al-Shar?a (higher objectives of Islamic law). Addressing this gap and drawing on the full-fledged genre of Maqid al-Shar?a, this study aims to develop a genre of Maqid al-?Aqda (higher objectives of Islamic theology) based on a scheme of core values (Truth, Justice, Beauty), instead of a scheme of udd (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 Maqid al-?Aqda? How do we chart out a map to guide the process of founding such an area? In what ways can the emerging Maqid al-?Aqda benefit from the well-established Maqid al-Shar?a? What are the ramifications of having an underdeveloped theology?