EXPLANATION OF THE TOPIC OF “FAITH” IN SAADUDDIN TAFTAZANI’S WORKS

Abstract

One of the brightest representatives of the Second Eastern Renaissance of the Middle Ages is Allama Saʻd al-Dīn Taftāzānī al-Ḥanafı̄(722-792/1322-1390). He was a scholar in the fields of grammar (nahw), morphology (sarf), eloquence (balagha) usul al-fiqh and furu al-fiqh (ḥanafī, shāfiʿī and mālikī), logic, aqeedah, hadith, tafsir, geometry, astronomy and other similar sciences. In particular, more than fifty works of the allāma on various subjects have been identified. Saʻd al-Dīn Taftāzānī occupies an important place in the development of the teachings of māturīdīyya. The work of the scholar in this area can be divided into three categories: writing of books, an analytical summary of the various views of previous scholars on a specific creedal issue and additional substantiation of the issues on a scientific basis. In particular, these three cases are reflected in the views of the scholar on the topic “Iman” (Faith). Even because this topic is the basis of creed, the scholar dwelled on it in detail. Indeed, through a comparative analysis of the theological works of Saʻd al-Dīn Taftāzānī and “Kitāb al-Tawḥīd” by Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī (243-332/857-944), it is advisable to determine the scholar’s contribution to the development of the teachings of māturīdīyya on the topic “Iman”. This article focuses on this issue.