Mediaeval Theology of Education: Embracing Philosophy, Kalām, and Sufism

Abstract

This work focuses on a crucial subject in mediaeval religious discourse within the realm of education. The objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive comprehension of educational theology during the mediaeval Islamic era and intellectual culture. This will be achieved by examining the innovative, influential, and inherently intricate philosophical, kalām, and sufism ideologies, which have not been fully recognised until now. This study employs a discourse analysis methodology, which is commonly utilised to examine both oral and written conversation. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the contributions made by mediaeval scholars to the field of educational theological discourse, focusing on the areas of philosophy, kalām, and sufism. The study’s findings demonstrate that mediaeval scholars effectively reconciled philosophical, theological (kalām), and mystical (sufism) perspectives in the field of educational theology. This was particularly evident in their treatment of the human nature, which they portrayed as both possessing free will and being subject to fate. This accommodating stance becomes remarkable, particularly because the content and approach of philosophy, kalām, and Sufism are frequently perceived as highly distinct or even conflicting.

Keywords

• educational theology
• mediaeval islamic era
• kalām
• sufism
• ideology