On the relationship between kalam and akaid

Abstract

It is highly observable that, most of the time, the words 'faith and belief are used interchangeably in daily life. However, the meanings these words signify are quite different from each other. The difference in meaning between these two words shows itself in the relationship between kalam, Islamic theology, and akaid, religious precepts. While the topics related to belief are taken into account within the framework of religious precepts, the issues as to faith are studied in the field of Islamic theology. Within this context, the problems dealt with, and the issues worked on in the field of kalam are more scholarly and higher context-wise compared to the field of akaid. Along with the intellectual structure of Islamic theology, when the methodology it employs and the issues it deals with are taken into account, those who are aimed at being offered the education related to Islamic theology should have the intellectual background and development so as to cope with the intellectual capacity demanded.