[search-in-place-form in_current_page="1"]

What is Divine Speech (Kalam Allah)?

In Islamic theology, “Kalam Allah” refers to the “Speech of Allah” and is a key concept pertaining to the nature of divine revelation. The most direct manifestation of Kalam Allah is the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. 

 

Here are some important aspects of this concept:

  1. Quran as Divine Speech: The Quran is considered the literal word of God and is central to Islamic belief and practice. It is viewed not as created speech but as the direct and unaltered communication from Allah, intended to guide humanity.
  2. Uncreated Nature: One of the significant theological positions held by many Islamic scholars, particularly the Ash’ari school, is that the Quran, as the Speech of Allah, is eternal and uncreated. This belief distinguishes it as divine in origin, separate from all created beings and things.
  3. Forms of Divine Revelation: While the Quran is the primary example of Allah’s speech, other prophets also received divine messages. However, Muslims believe that the Quran is the final and complete guidance, preserved unchanged since its revelation.
  4. Inimitability (I’jaz al-Quran): The Quran is considered miraculous and inimitable in its language, content, and legal and moral guidance. This quality further emphasizes its status as the Speech of Allah, beyond human capability to replicate or alter.
  5. Theological Debates: The concept of Kalam Allah has been a topic of theological debate, especially regarding its nature and attributes. Historical debates included discussions on whether God’s speech is created or uncreated and how it relates to human language and expression.
  6. Role in Worship and Law: The Quran as divine speech holds a central role in Islamic worship, law, and ethical guidance. Recitation of the Quran is a key element of daily prayers and spiritual practice, while its teachings form the foundation of Islamic jurisprudence and morality.
  7. Interpretation and Understanding: While the words of the Quran are viewed as divine, its interpretation involves scholarly exegesis (tafsir) to understand the meanings and implications for human life. This process respects the divine origin while making the text relevant and applicable across different contexts and times.

 

Kalam Allah embodies the concept of direct communication from Allah, providing divine guidance through the Quran, regarded as eternal, perfect, and a central pillar in the faith and practice of Muslims worldwide.

 

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.