Epistemology and Beatific Vision in Shams al-Dīn al-Samarqandī

Abstract

In this study, Sunnī dogma of ru’yatullāh (beatific vision) will be revisited with references to epistemological advances in classical Islamic philosophy and theology. The objective of my paper is to reassess the epistemological analysis of perception and cognition in Samarqandī’s works that shape later Oxon-Maturidite school of theology by his re-evaluation of perception and application of his analysis on perception to the approval of the possibility of beatific vision. My aim is to put forward Samarqandī’s analysis that aims to advance over his master on this field: Fakhruddīn al-Rāzī (d. 1209). Terminology of Samarqandī on perception (idrāk), senses (mashāʻir), visual storage (khazānah li’ssuwar) and illusive storage (khazānah li’l-wahm) will be discussed with cross references to al-Rāzī.