Theological issues and proof methods in the stories of the qur'an

This master's thesis aims to examine the value and function of Quranic stories as theological arguments from the perspective of theology, one of the fundamental disciplines of Islamic thought. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate how Quranic stories, beyond being merely historical narratives or moral counsel, align with the aims and methods of theology, particularly in establishing the principles of monotheism and faith. The first section of our research explains the fundamental principles of religion. The second section outlines the meaning of the word "story," its etymological and conceptual framework, and examines its uses in the Quran and its associated concepts. The reality of the stories, their origins, their relationship to history, and their distinction from mythological narratives are discussed. The third section, which constitutes the main axis of the thesis, provides a detailed exploration of the value of stories for theology, their commonality in purpose and methodology with the fundamental principles of this discipline, and the approaches of theologians to stories. During this thesis, I utilized classical and modern dictionaries, as well as the commentaries of scholarly commentators such as Imam Maturidi, Zamakhshari, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, to analyze the ways in which stories provide theological evidence and convey the truths of faith. This study argues that Quranic stories embody abstract faith-based truths, present unseen matters with concrete examples, and encourage unwavering faith. It emphasizes that these stories are in harmony with the rational and logical principles of theology and serve an important theological function in reinforcing the principles of monotheism. By uncovering the faith-based message at the heart of Quranic stories using the tools of theology, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of these narratives by contemporary readers and to the practical implications of theology.