Introduction to Muslim Theology & Shi’i Belief
Muslim theology is concerned with the fundamental religious beliefs that an individual must subscribe to in order to qualify as a Muslim. This module introduces students to the historical debates surrounding predestination and the nature of God which led to the development of the discipline. It then examines the rational justifications provided for classical Shi’i doctrines by ʿAllāma Ḥillī in his work Bāb Hādī ʿAshar.
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Trailer
In this short video, Dr Ali-reza Bhojani provides a brief overview of theology and what the study of theology entails within the Hawza Programme at Al-Mahdi Institute -
1. What is Theology?
Framed around a discussion of what is 'theology' and what is 'philosophy', this class introduces the subject matter and purpose of the discipline of 'ilm al-kalām: an intellectual approach to the justification and exploration of beliefs in Islam. -
2. The Development of Theology
This session discusses the early development and historical diversity of approaches to kalām across Muslim thought. It focuses on the factors encouraging the development of rational approaches to theology in Islam, early issues in Kalām and the emergence of its major schools of thought. -
3. Rational Theology
This class focuses on the history and development of rational theology within Shi'i thought, with special attention to the nature of scholarly theological discourse during the lives of the Imams and in the post-occultation era.
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