Islamic Metaphysics: The Philosopher’s Creed
Reinterpreting the Articles of Faith.
This work aims to reassess the fundamental principles of Islamic
creed (ʿaqīdah) beyond the confines of the classical kalām framework
by situating them within the metaphysical interpretations
developed by Muslim philosophers. The central question of the
study concerns the ontological and metaphysical foundations
upon which Islamic doctrines of faith have been interpreted
throughout history and the intellectual possibilities these interpretations
offer to contemporary humanity. In this respect, the
principles of faith are examined not merely as religious doctrines
but also as metaphysical principles intimately related to questions
of being, knowledge, and meaning.
Drawing upon scriptural and Qur’anic foundations, the study investigates
the philosophical underpinnings of the principal articles
of faith—belief in God, angels, revealed scriptures, prophets,
the Hereafter, and divine decree—through the perspectives of Al-
Fārābī, Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna), and Al-Ghazālī. Particular attention is
devoted to the concepts of divine unity, oneness, and transcendence,
which are analyzed in relation to the notions of the Necessary
Existent, unity (waḥda), absolute oneness (aḥadiyya), and
causality. In this context, the traditions of kalām, Sufism, and philosophy
are comparatively examined in order to reveal both their
convergences and divergences concerning the metaphysical interpretation
of faith.
The second part of the work explores the influence of Islamic
metaphysics on the civilization it produced throughout history,
focusing on its contributions to ethical thought, knowledge production,
and the formation of social institutions. By doing so, the
study demonstrates that metaphysical principles generate not
only theoretical frameworks but also practical and civilizationbuilding
consequences.
In conclusion, the book argues that Islamic creed should not be
understood as a static and ahistorical system of belief; rather, it
should be regarded as a dynamic metaphysical framework that
remains open to interpretation and capable of addressing the intellectual
and existential challenges of the modern world. In this
regard, the study offers a significant contribution to contemporary
discussions concerning the relationship between creed, philosophy,
and civilization in Islamic thought.
Keywords: Islamic Metaphysics, Creed, Ibn Sina, Tawhid, Islamic
Philosophy