Universal maxims in the science of kalam in the context of İmam Ghazali's al-Iqtisad fi al-I'tikad

Every science, has main principles that make it, itself and related issues are shall be approached in the perspective of those principles. Similarly, the science of kalam, has several main principles and in the mutakallims' minds, there is an understanding of kalam based on those principles. Relevant principles are expressed openly in kalamic works written in that way or exist hiddenly in the fine prints. In this thesis, the main principles of the science of kalam in the book of al-Iqtisad fi al-I'tiqad are detected, analysed and categorised. In this context, in the first section, the concept of qaidah and main related concepts are analysed and some instances about its usages are given. In the second section, the principles related to ontology are categorised regarding qadim-hadith seperation and every single principle are evaluated in terms of conceptual perspective, explanation, indication of its significance if needed and giving examples of usages in the science of kalam. In the third section, the principles related to the epistemology are categorised regarding wajib-muhal seperation and every single principle are evaluated in accordance with the concept of the second section. Key Words: Kalam, Gazzâlî, al-Iqtisad, Maxim.