On-demand course

Introduction to Islamic Theology

“Introduction to Islamic Theology” is an online course that examines some of the most contentious theological debates in the early history of Islam.

Course curriculum

1. Course Notes: Print Edition (PDF)
1. Definitions and Names
2. Lesson 1 Notes (PDF)
1. The Origins of Islamic Theology
2. Lesson 2 Notes (PDF)
1. The Earliest Theological Contentions
2. Lesson 3 Notes (PDF)
1. Philosophy and Theology
2. Lesson 4 Notes (PDF)
1. Tradition-Based Theology and Reason-Based Theology
2. Lesson 5 Notes (PDF)
1. The Origin of the term "Kalam"
2. Lesson 6 Notes (PDF)
1. The Aims of Studying Islamic Theology
2. Lesson 7 Notes (PDF)
1. The Major Theological Schools
2. Lesson 8 Notes (PDF)
3. Go Deeper: Recommended Reading (Lessons 1–8)
4. Review Quiz: Lessons 1–8
1. The Mu'tazilites
2. Lesson 9 Notes (PDF)
1. The Mu'tazilites and the Oneness of God
2. Lesson 10 Notes (PDF)
1. The Mu'tazilites and Divine Justice
2. Lesson 11 Notes (PDF)
1. The Mu'tazilites on Divine Promises and Threats
2. Lesson 12 Notes (PDF)
1. The Mu'tazilites and the Intermediate Position
2. Lesson 13 Notes (PDF)
1. The Mu'tazilites on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
2. Lesson 14 Notes (PDF)
1. Other Mu'tazilite Views and Opinions
2. Lesson 15 Notes (PDF)
3. Go Deeper: Recommended Reading (Lessons 9–15)
4. Review Quiz: Lessons 9–15
1. The Rise of the Ash'arites
2. Lesson 16 Notes (PDF)
1. The Main Doctrines of the Ash'arites
2. Lesson 17 Notes (PDF)
1. Rational Understanding in Shia Theology
2. Lesson 18 Notes (PDF)
1. The Historical Development of Shia Theology
2. Lesson 19 Notes (PDF)
3. Review Quiz: Lessons 16–19
1. The Five Tenets of Faith in the Shia Tradition
2. Lesson 20 Notes (PDF)
1. Monotheism in the Shia Tradition
2. Lesson 21 Notes (PDF)
1. Divine Justice in Shia Theology
2. Lesson 22 Notes (PDF)
1. Free Will in Shia Theology
2. Lesson 23 Notes (PDF)
1. The Inherent Goodness and Evil of Deeds
2. Lesson 24 Notes (PDF)
3. Go Deeper: Recommended Reading (Lessons 16–24)
1. Divine Grace
2. Lesson 25 Notes (PDF)
1. The Independence and Validity of Reason
2. Lesson 26 Notes (PDF)
1. The Aim and Purpose of Divine Acts
2. Lesson 27 Notes (PDF)
1. Seeing God
2. Lesson 28 Notes (PDF)
1. Faith or Disbelief of a Sinner
2. Lesson 29 Notes (PDF)
1. The Infallibility of Prophets and Imams
2. Lesson 30 Notes (PDF)
1. Forgiveness and Intercession
2. Lesson 31 Notes (PDF)
3. Go Deeper: Recommended Reading (Lessons 25–31)
4. Review Quiz: Lessons 20–31

About this course

31 lessons
5 hours of video content

Introduction to Islamic Theology

Course curriculum

Print-Ready Course Notes

Lesson 1: Definitions and Names

Lesson 2: The Origins of Islamic Theology

Lesson 3: The Earliest Theological Contentions

Lesson 4: Philosophy and Theology

Lesson 5: Tradition-Based Theology and Reason-Based Theology

Lesson 6: The Origin of the term "Kalam"

Lesson 7: The Aims of Studying Islamic Theology

Lesson 8: The Major Theological Schools

Lesson 9: The Mu'tazilites

Lesson 10: The Mu'tazilites and the Oneness of God

Lesson 11: The Mu'tazilites and Divine Justice

Lesson 12: The Mu'tazilites on Divine Promises and Threats

Lesson 13: The Mu'tazilites and the Intermediate Position

Lesson 14: The Mu'tazilites on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Lesson 15: Other Mu'tazilite Views and Opinions

Lesson 16: The Rise of the Ash'arites

Lesson 17: The Main Doctrines of the Ash'arites

Lesson 18: Rational Understanding in Shia Theology

Lesson 19: The Historical Development of Shia Theology

Lesson 20: The Five Tenets of Faith in the Shia Tradition

Lesson 21: Monotheism in the Shia Tradition

Lesson 22: Divine Justice in Shia Theology

Lesson 23: Free Will in Shia Theology

Lesson 24: The Inherent Goodness and Evil of Deeds

Lesson 25: Divine Grace

Lesson 26: The Independence and Validity of Reason

Lesson 27: The Aim and Purpose of Divine Acts

Lesson 28: Seeing God

Lesson 29: Faith or Disbelief of a Sinner

Lesson 30: The Infallibility of Prophets and Imams

Lesson 31: Forgiveness and Intercession

About this course