Epistemology in Islamic theology in the post-classical period: The concept of evidence in the works of Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī

The works of Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī (d. 792/1390) marked a pivotal point in Islamic intellectual history and were central to Islamic education until recent years. Due to the break with the traditional curriculum in the Islamic world and the axiomatic premise that philosophical inquiries in theology after the 5./11. century had nothing substantial to offer, the central position of Taftāzān'īs works vanished. Fortunately, contemporary scholarship questions these premises and shows interest in the Post-classical period in which scholars like Taftāzānī appeared. However, little advancement has been made so far due to the lack of understanding regarding the commentary tradition and highly technical texts. The present research throws light on some of the most fundamental topics of theology written by one of its most influential scholars. The first aim is to clarify important features of the commentary tradition, which will help eliminate confusion regarding the opposing positions the same author took in different works. The second aim is to show how later theologians defined theology, its connection to epistemology, and how they presented their most fundamental conceptual tools. The final aim is to investigate their definition of evidence and its twofold division into rational and textual evidence. Case studies will illustrate how different theological issues relate to the previously discussed topics of epistemology and evidence.