Ghayat al-Maram fi Ilm al-Kalam
- Author died
- 631 AH
- Editions
- المجلس الأعلى للشئون الإسلامية
Ghayat al-Maram fi Ilm al-Kalam (The Ultimate Aim in the Science of Scholastic Theology) is a theological treatise by the Shafi'i jurist and theologian Sayf al-Din al-Amidi (551–631 AH / 1156–1233 CE), presenting a systematic exposition of Islamic theology (kalam) and rational proofs .
Composition and Purpose
Al-Amidi authored the book as a condensed abridgment of his extensive theological magnum opus, Abkar al-Afkar fi Usul al-Din . In the introduction, he states that he composed it in response to a request to elucidate complex questions, unveil intricate theological secrets, and point out the missteps of earlier investigators, aiming for a middle course between excessive length and obscuring brevity .
Structure and Method
The work is organized into eight overarching universal rules (qawanin), which encompass numerous theological issues and foundations of religion :
- The First Law (al-Qanun al-Awwal): Proving the existence of the Necessary Existent by virtue of Himself (ithbat al-wajib bi-dhatih), demonstrating the impossibility of an infinite regress (tasalsul) of contingent occurrences .
- Subsequent laws cover divine attributes, God's oneness (wahdaniyya), the refutation of rival theological systems, and prophecy (nubuwwa), including its rational possibility and actual occurrence .
Methodologically, al-Amidi integrates philosophical discourse and precise technical terminology into scholastic theology . His approach is characterized by rigorous critical engagement with earlier Ash'arite arguments as well as the positions of the Mu'tazila and philosophers . Rather than accepting traditional Ash'arite demonstrations unquestioningly, he frequently weakens them—such as rejecting al-Shahrastani's argument for the temporal origination of the world as illusory and re-evaluating the standard responses to the beatific vision—before establishing his own preferred proofs .
Reception and Editions
Bibliographical sources record the work either as a single volume or in two volumes . The text was edited by Hasan Mahmud Abd al-Latif and published in Cairo by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in 1391 AH (1971 CE) .
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