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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discursive Theology Volume 1 Lesson 17: The Divine Speech and Word There is no dispute that speech ( takallum ) is one of the Positive Attributes and Attributes of Perfection of God, as this point has been mentioned in Qur’anic verses and traditions ( aḥādīth ).

However, different views have been put forth on the meaning of God’s word ( kalām ) and whether God’s word is contingent or eternal, and whether speech is one of the Attributes of Essence or Attributes of Action of God. The Ahl al-Ḥadīth and Ḥanbalīs The Ahl al-Ḥadith and Ḥanbalīs consider the word of God ( kalām Allāh ) consisting of the letters and sounds (literal word).

Yet, they are of the opinion that kalām is eternal and an Attribute of God’s Essence.[^1] There is no doubt in the incorrectness of this view. If letters and sounds are physical things and contingent in time, how can one consider kalām which is composed by them to be eternal? Justice-Oriented Theologians The Mu‘tazilah and Imāmiyyah theologians regard the word of God as verbal ( lafẓī ) and contingent ( ḥādith ).

On this basis, attributing speech to God is like ascribing an action to an agent ( isnād-e ṣudūrī or emanative attribution) and not like attributing an accidental quality ( ‘arḍ ) to an object of accident ( ma‘rūḍ ) ( isnād-e ‘arūḍī or accidental attribution).

For example, mun‘im (benefactor) means the provider of blessing ( ni‘mah ) to others; rāziq (sustainer) means the bestower of sustainance ( rizq ); in the same manner, mutakallim (speaker) means the originator of speech ( kalām ).[^2] On this basis, the Holy Qur’an, as the word of God, is created and contingent.

Qur’anic verses clearly indicate the word of God is contingent: ﴿ مَا يَأْتِيهِمْ مِنْ ذِكْرٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ مُحْدَثٍ إِلا اسْتَمَعُوهُ وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ ﴾ “There does not come to them any new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it as they play around.” [^3] What is meant by ‘reminder’ ( dhikr ) in this verse is the Holy Qur’an, as another verse has thus stated: ﴿ إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ ﴾ “Indeed We have sent down the Reminder and indeed We will preserve it.” [^4] The first verse implies that their Lord does not send for them a new reminder (the Qur’an) except that they listen to it, but they do not take it seriously as they are busy in amusement and entertainment.

Also, the second verse talks about the revelation of the Qur’an and guarantees its preservation.

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