A Productive and Dynamic Winter for the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

Winter 2022 proved to be an exceptionally active and vibrant period for the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). The season began with the launch of introductory courses in contemporary fiqh—a precise and transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the academic level of the Islamic Seminary (Hawza ‘Ilmiyya). This move was met with an unexpectedly strong welcome from both senior scholars and students.

Building on this momentum, numerous meetings were held with prominent scholars and various academic institutions. These sessions were widely welcomed by leading figures and scholars, many of whom praised the Office’s initiative and expressed readiness to further support and participate in this evolving ijtihadi movement. A primary objective of these meetings was to encourage greater involvement of distinguished scholars in the courses and research programs of contemporary fiqh.

Among the notable meetings was a session held—accompanied by the Director of the Islamic Seminaries—with Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli (may God preserve him). The meeting extended beyond its scheduled time, during which the Ayatollah offered strategic insights. After becoming fully acquainted with the activities of the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and hearing the request for his increased participation, he announced that, God willing, he would begin teaching a dars al-kharij in contemporary fiqh during the current year.

Another meeting, also held in the presence of Ayatollah A‘rafi, took place with Ayatollah Ja‘far Subhani (may God preserve him). Emphasizing that he had previously offered dars al-kharij on contemporary issues—whose outcomes have been published in his jurisprudential works—he expressed his support and pledged to assist both the introductory courses in contemporary fiqh and the advanced courses in applied philosophy (falsafa muḍāfa), encouraging qualified scholars to take a more active role in teaching.

Another significant engagement involved a meeting with Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Shahrestani, representative of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani (may God preserve him). After reviewing the Office’s activities, he strongly endorsed these efforts and introduced several scholars for potential collaboration. One of the Office’s future plans is to pursue more substantial academic cooperation with this eminent scholar.

Additional meetings were held with various academic centers, including the Office of Forensic Medicine Fiqh Studies, where mutual interest in collaboration was expressed and scholarly discussions were held with the aim of further elevating the academic standards of the Hawza.

Photos from these meetings are presented below.