Features of religious dialogue in the theologians Mu'tazilites and Asha'aris as a model)

Abstract

This paper examines the intellectual sources of Kalām (Islamic theology) through an analysis of the philosophy of dialogue developed by Muslim theologians, with particular emphasis on its theoretical foundations and its potential contribution to fostering coexistence and intercultural understanding. It addresses the fundamental question of whether theological dialogue within the Kalām tradition embodies a genuine philosophical and humanistic vision capable of informing contemporary Arab-Islamic societies, or whether it merely reflected the political and intellectual circumstances of its historical context. The study further explores the evolution of philosophical and religious dialogue during the medieval Islamic period, when structured debates between philosophers and theologians played a pivotal role in shaping Islamic intellectual history. These exchanges encouraged interaction between rational and theological modes of inquiry and contributed to the enrichment of Islamic thought. Particular attention is devoted to the celebrated intellectual debate between Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī and Ibn Rushd, as well as to the theological disputations between the Muʿtazilite and Ashʿarite schools. The paper argues that these dialogical traditions established a lasting culture of rational debate, methodological inquiry, and intellectual pluralism, offering valuable insights for promoting constructive religious dialogue and peaceful coexistence in the contemporary world