Kalām im antiken Gewand: Das theologische Konzept des Kitāb sirr al-ḫalīqa

Literary works that were transmitted anonymously or under pseudonyms in the Middle Ages are often considered secondary literature today. These works are frequently accused of plagiarism, thus their ideas may not be seen as independent or taken seriously. The paper discusses a book of this nature referred to by several titles: “The Book of the Secrets of Creation,” “The Book of Causes,” or “The Comprehensive Book of Things.” It is a philosophical encyclopedia that may have been compiled in the early 9th century during the reign of the Caliph Ma’mūn.