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Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025)

Articles

Reinterpreting Theology: ‘Abd Al-Jabbar Al-Rifā’ī and Neo-Kalam Discourse

https://doi.org/10.55831/ajis.v10i2.755

Published 05.09.2025

  • Mujaddid
    • ,
  • Syed Mohammad Hilmi bin Syed Abdul Rahman
Mujaddid
Universitas Islam Internasional, Indonesia

Syed Mohammad Hilmi bin Syed Abdul Rahman
University of Malaya, Malaysia

Abstract

In recent decades, the renewal of Islamic thought has attracted the attention of many Muslim intellectuals. This discourse emerged primarily in the 19th century and has continued to expand. The decline of the Muslim community has fostered awareness of the importance of theological renewal, neo-kalam has finally become one of the prevailing debates in modern Islamic discourse. ‘Abd al-Jabbār al-Rifā’ī is a prominent figure and deeply involved in neo-kalam, as seen by his numerous works and academic endeavours. However, efforts to reform the science of kalam have not yet reached clear formulations and concepts as a collective consensus. In this regard, this article examines the impact of neo-kalam al-Rifā’ī’s ideas on issues of contemporary Islamic thought. This study employs a qualitative approach. Data was collected through library research, which was analysed using historical, inductive, deductive and comparative methods. This study finds that the idea of neo-kalam introduced by al-Rifā’ī emerged as part of a paradigm shift. Al-Rifā’ī’s neo-kalam project seeks to deconstruct Islamic thought through the lens of a modern social science approach. This effort began by going through the framework of the formation of classical kalam in the aspects of its ontology, epistemology and axiology. However, his endeavours have generated critique and appreciation in the realm of current Islamic intellectual discourse.

Keywords

tajdid, neo-kalam, paradigm shift

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