5. The Name ‘Ilm al-Kalam

Another point is why this discipline has been called “‘ilm al-kalam”, and when this name was given to it. Some have said that it was called “kalam” (lit. speech) because it gives an added power of speech and argument to one who is well-versed in it. Some say that the reason lies in the habit of the experts of this science who began their own statements in their books with the expression “al-kalamu fi kadha“. Others explain that it was called “kalam” because it discussed issues regarding which the Ahl al-Hadith preferred to maintain complete silence. Yet according to others this name came to be in vogue when the issue whether the Holy Qur’an (called “kalamullahi“) ,the Divine Utterance ⁵, i.e. the Holy Qur’an) is created (makhluq) or not, became a matter for hot debate amongst the Muslim – a controversy which led to animosity between the two opposite camps and bloodshed of many. This is also the reason why that period is remembered as a “time of severe hardship” – mihnah. That is, since most of the debates about the doctrines of the faith revolved around the huduth (createdness, temporality) or the qidam (pre-eternity) of the “Utterance” or kalam of God, this discipline which discussed the principal doctrines of the faith came to be called “‘ilm al-kalam” (lit. the science of the Utterance). These are the various opinions that have been expressed about the reason why ‘ilm al-kalam was given this name.