The conception of kalām in Muhammad Iqbal's thought of renewal

This thesis examines the innovative, critical, and original approaches of Muhammad Iqbal—one of the most influential figures in modern Islamic thought—to the discipline of kalām (Islamic theology). With his multifaceted intellectual background in politics, poetry, philosophy, and religious sciences, Iqbal critically engaged with classical kalām issues and sought to reconstruct the discipline in light of modern philosophical and scientific developments. The study systematically addresses Iqbal's method of theological inquiry, his intellectual sources, his engagement with contemporary thought, and the new perspectives he introduced into Islamic thought. Employing a qualitative research design, the thesis analyzes Iqbal's understanding of kalām through textual and comparative methods. Iqbal aimed to reinterpret classical theological topics through a Qur'an-centered approach while drawing on philosophy and the methods of modern science. One of his most significant contributions to kalām lies in his interdisciplinary approach, integrating theology with physics, metaphysics, poetry, and modern epistemology. The thesis consists of three chapters: the first examines Iqbal's life, education, and works; the second explores his intellectual sources and the core themes of his thought; and the final chapter evaluates his theological views, his treatment of classical kalām problems, and his relationship with contemporary science. The findings demonstrate that Iqbal's understanding of kalām is not merely a historical project of renewal but also offers a dynamic framework for contemporary Islamic thought. In this respect, the thesis presents a rare and systematic study in Turkish literature that addresses Iqbal's conception of kalām in a holistic manner. Keywords: Selfhood, Critical Thought, Kalām, Modern Islamic Thought, Muhammad Iqbal, Creative Evolution.