Abstract

Chapter 2 explores the development of kalām (Islamic systematic theology) and its foundational role in understanding nubuwwah (prophethood) within Islamic thought. Although sīrah and kalām are distinct genres traditionally treated independently, Islamic modernism has led to their convergence, particularly in debates on prophethood and the authenticity of Prophet Muhammad’s mission. This overlap has prompted many scholars to analyse sīrah through the lens of kalām, recognising the interconnectedness of the two fields. Akin to many modern Muslim thinkers, Gülen’s approach to sīrah is heavily intertwined with kalām, especially in theological discussions on prophethood. Thus, this chapter begins with a brief survey of kalām, focusing on prophethood within Islamic thought, and examines the relationship between kalām and sīrah during the late 19th and early twentieth centuries, known as the new ilm al-kalām era (the renewal of Islamic theology). By highlighting Islamic schools’ general attitudes toward prophethood, the chapter contextualises Gülen’s stance compared to classical and new ilm al-kalām approaches to nubuwwah. Ultimately, this chapter addresses the tension between sīrah as a narrative genre and its interpretation as a theological discourse, questioning whether sīrah narratives should be seen as descriptive or prescriptive, a crucial debate in understanding contemporary approaches to the sīrah genre.