Islamic Perspectives on Prophecy and Revelation

Call for Papers
Date: July 24-25, 2025
Venue: Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
Abstract Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025
Organizer: Al-Mahdi Institute (AMI)

AMI’s Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology invites submissions for its second international conference, titled ‘Islamic Perspectives on Prophecy and Revelation’ to be held on 24^th – 25^th July 2025 at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA. The deadline for abstract submissions is 7th March 2025.

Together with the belief that there is only one God and that life here and now is a mere prelude to an eternal afterlife, the belief in prophecy is regarded as one of the fundamental tenets of Islam. Indeed, it is through the revelatory experiences of Muḥammad, as compiled and preserved in the Quran, that Muslims derive the fundamental articles of faith concerning the nature of God, the afterlife, the resurrection, and notions such as heaven and hell. Prophecy and revelation thus constitute the principal epistemological foundation of Islam. However, unlike other doctrinal issues like God and His attributes, monotheism, and the salvation of non-Muslims, the phenomenon of prophecy in Islam has not been sufficiently problematized or discussed in secondary literature in Western languages. This conference aims to shift the focus and methodology of studying prophecy in Islam from the historical study of the Prophet Muḥammad to the phenomenon of prophecy itself, thereby directing attention to the vast body of literature in Islam that investigates the philosophical dimensions of prophecy across different Islamic disciplines.

The Prophet was both the recipient of a personal revelation and the primary interpreter of that revelation’s contents. His experiences and subsequent teaching constitute one of, if not the main, sources of religious knowledge for Muslims. In Islamic philosophy, Muslim thinkers such as al-Fārābī, Avicenna, Suhrawardi, Averroes, and Mullā Ṣadrā argued for the necessity of prophecy in a multitude of ways, some of which are based on Platonic, Aristotelian, and Neoplatonic philosophical frameworks. The Islamic philosophical tradition, for example, contains extensive material on the nature of the rational soul and the existence of a so-called “holy faculty” (al-quwwa al-qudsiyya) that enables prophets to receive divine communication and perform miracles. Islamic philosophers also discussed the language of revelation extensively in disciplines such as logic and rhetoric, sometimes leading to controversial claims such as the view that the language of scripture was merely intended for the general masses and that the real, non-figurative meaning of these revelations could only be pursued through philosophy. Many of these topics were also discussed in the theological traditions of Islam. One topic in particular that had grave political consequences and was hotly contested by different Muslim factions was the question of whether or not the Quran, as the Word of God, is pre-eternal or created. The modality of God’s speech sparked passionate debates. In uṣūl al-fiqh, numerous discussions were undertaken concerning prophecy and revelation which today would be considered as topics within philosophy of language, philosophy of religion, theology, ethics, and epistemology. In the modern period, contemporary scholars of Islam have challenged traditional concepts and theories of prophecy by placing greater emphasis on the Prophet’s own subjectivity and contextual setting thereby challenging previously held notions about how revelation and scripture ought to be interpreted. To achieve a more holistic and nuanced understanding of prophecy in Islam, therefore, this conference explores the philosophical issues surrounding prophecy and revelation as these have been discussed in various Islamic disciplines.

The topic of prophecy and revelation in Islam is also of profound importance for modern people, particularly in an era where the relevance and interpretation of religious experiences are frequently questioned. This conference will address contemporary challenges and objections to the concepts of prophecy and revelation, particularly within the philosophy of religion. By engaging with modern critiques and philosophical dilemmas, the conference aims to provide deeper insights and responses to these issues, reaffirming the significance of prophetic experiences in a rapidly changing world. This dialogue is crucial for fostering a nuanced understanding of how these ancient concepts can be meaningfully integrated into modern thought and practice, helping to bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and contemporary intellectual concerns.

Applicants are invited to consider the proposals in the following areas:

• The Nature and Function of Prophecy in Islamic Thought
• The Nature and Function of Revelation in Islamic Thought
• Prophecy, Revelation, and Epistemology
• Prophecy, Revelation, and Philosophy of Language
• Prophecy, Revelation, and Philosophy of Religion
• Revelation, Unseen World, and Skeptical Theology
• Prophecy, Revelation, and Comparative Abrahamic Traditions
• Contemporary Issues and Challenges to Prophecy and Revelation

Shortlisted abstracts are expected to be developed into a full academic paper. The Al-Mahdi Institute has funds to cover the travel and accommodation costs of anyone that does not have access to their own funding. The proceedings of the workshop will be published in the form of an edited book in 2026. The language of the workshop (and published papers) will be English only. The workshop will run over two days, each having 6–8 papers, and includes lunch, refreshments, and dinner. Each paper should last no more than 20 minutes. All presenters are required to stay for the full two days.

The conference proceedings will be published by AMI Press, ensuring that the valuable insights and discussions from the event are accessible to a broader audience. The edited volume will be a collaborative effort, jointly edited by Professor Mohsen Kadivar and Dr. Wahid M. Amin. This publication will serve as a significant scholarly contribution, encapsulating the diverse perspectives and critical analyses presented during the conference, and furthering academic discourse on the themes of prophecy and revelation in Islam.

Schedule for Submissions

• Abstracts: The deadline for abstracts is Friday, 7 March 2025. Abstracts should be 300–500 words and should be submitted along with a CV (maximum 2 pages, with a listing of the applicant’s publications and recent work experience) in either MS Word or PDF format.
• Shortlisting Abstracts: Abstracts shortlisted for the workshop will be notified by Friday, 21 March 2025.
• Workshop: Selected abstracts will be invited for a two-day workshop on 24–25 July 2025 at Duke University, North Carolina, USA. The workshop co-ordinator will arrange travel and accommodation for you.
• Full papers: Final papers must be submitted by Friday, 9 January 2026. Papers should be presented in line with the house style of AMI Press and have a word count between 8,000–14,000 words maximum, excluding bibliography.
• Review: Authors should review the editors’ comments and recommendations and resubmit articles with appropriate changes. The outcome of the editors’ review will be communicated to authors by Friday, 27 February 2026.
• Copyediting: The copyeditor will edit your paper and standardise it to match the AMI Press house style. Your copyedited paper will be sent to you by Friday, 2 May 2026.
• Publication: The edited volume is scheduled for publication in December 2026.

Submission of Abstracts

An abstract of no more than 500 words should be submitted in the form of a MS Word document or PDF attached to prophecyandrevelation2025@almahdi.edu by 17:00 UK time, 7 March 2025. Applicants should submit a CV with a listing of publications and recent employment history.

Submission Process (Full Papers)

Full papers should be submitted in the form of a MS Word document no later than 17:00 UK time, 9 January 2026.

The first page of the manuscript should contain the following:

• The title
• The name(s) and institutional affiliation of the author(s)
• The address, telephone, and email address of the corresponding author(s)
• A bibliography
• 6 keywords.

Final submissions should be 8,000–14,000 words, excluding the bibliography, and written in accordance with the Chicago Manual of Style. Any specific conventions adopted by AMI Press will be communicated to authors in due course.

More information on: Al-Mahdi Institute (AMI)