Contemporary Jurisprudence Education

Highlights of the Center:<ul><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Five key volumes on Islamic Legal Theory—including Al-Fāiq fī Al-Usūl, Al-Rāid fī Al-Usūl, and a related commentary—were compiled and taught in 240 classrooms across the country, reaching 5,000 students over the past two years</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Authoring the book entitled “A Legal Entity” and teaching this book on a trial basis</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Formation of 8 research groups with the cooperation of university professors in the fields of economics, fundamental rights, human rights, legal procedure, social media, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Cooperation with the jurists of the Islamic Seminary and holding advanced jurisprudential lessons in the subjects of cryptocurrencies, money, stock exchange, and capital market, judicial law, legislative jurisprudence, and legal entity</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Compilation and publication of 9 volumes of books out of the lessons of contemporary jurisprudence</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">A collaborative platform was developed with Islamic Seminary departments for professors and students to promote advanced jurisprudential studies in contemporary jurisprudence. This initiative led to a record-breaking academic year (2022–2023), with 50 courses and over 3,400 participants, making it the most attended and most offered subject area in advanced jurisprudence—representing nearly 45% of all enrolled students.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Announcement of more than 200 topics for level 3 and 4 thesis related to the topics that were taught.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Four books were compiled covering key topics: SDRs as the first international currency, legal perspectives on money, and AI ethics. These works will be distributed to seminary teachers and presented with published critical reviews and appropriate academic titles—similar to how the late Kashif al-Ghita’s Tahrīr al-Majala was introduced—for inclusion in curriculum at Islamic Seminaries and universities.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Formation of specialized working groups to review international and domestic documents and laws.&nbsp;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Compilation of a single-volume critique addressing UNESCO’s draft recommendations on AI ethics. Developed with input from experts in jurisprudence, ethics, philosophy, and law, the work was submitted to Iran’s UNESCO negotiation team and is slated for expansion into two comprehensive volumes for future publication.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Establishment of “Ijtihād to University” network to convert scholarly work from Islamic jurists into accessible academic articles. This effort successfully led to the publication of its first paper—on cryptocurrencies—in the Monetary and Banking Journal of Iran's Central Bank Research Institute, marking a breakthrough in bridging traditional jurisprudence and modern academic discourse.</li></ul>&nbsp;Future Plans<ul><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Introducing 8 foundational courses in contemporary jurisprudence, featuring 19 key titles including A Bank with Usury, Sovereignty in Islam, and other topical studies;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Planning the compilation of 7 new volumes covering advanced jurisprudential issues on contemporary subjects, scheduled for release in the upcoming academic year;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Officially launching the course titled "The Legal Entity" as part of contemporary jurisprudence, designed to complement the foundational text Makāsib;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Preparing to publish at least five specialized volumes, each accompanied by scholarly critique from seminary experts, on pivotal subjects including venture capital, monetary law, AI ethics, and separation of powers;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Producing an "Ijtihad Roundtable" program, a thought-provoking broadcast featuring seminarian jurists discussing key issues in jurisprudence and Islamic Legal Theory;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Undertaking the translation of Islamic Seminary educational materials into global languages to enrich and contribute to the international academic literature;</li></ul>The following photos are related to the unveiling ceremony of advanced jurisprudence books:<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:77.93%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_34_ae50c881c5.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:77.61%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_31_0f7ff73bce.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:76.64%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_05_a01d004172.jpg"></figure>

Director of the Center of Contemporary Jurisprudence, Hojjat al-Islam Hosein Ethna-Ashari, unveiled the achievements and plans of the center.

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During the unveiling of newly published advanced jurisprudence volumes by the Office of Contemporary Jurisprudence, Hojjatoleslam Hosein Ethna-Ashari highlighted several major developments:&nbsp;Achievements:<ul><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Five key volumes on Islamic Legal Theory—including Al-Fāiq fī Al-Usūl, Al-Rāid fī Al-Usūl, and a related commentary—were compiled and taught in 240 classrooms across the country, reaching 5,000 students over the past two years;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Authoring the book entitled “A Legal Entity” and making a start on teaching this book on a trial basis;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Formation of 8 research groups with the cooperation of university professors in the fields of economics, fundamental rights, human rights, legal procedure, social media, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Cooperation with the jurists of the Islamic Seminary and launching advanced jurisprudential lessons in the subjects of cryptocurrencies, money, stock exchange, and capital market, judicial law, legislative jurisprudence, and legal entity;&nbsp;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Compilation and publication of 9 volumes of books out of the lessons of contemporary jurisprudence;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">A collaborative platform was developed with Islamic Seminary departments for professors and students to promote advanced jurisprudential studies in contemporary jurisprudence. This initiative led to a record-breaking academic year (2022–2023), with 50 courses and over 3,400 participants, making it the most attended and most offered subject area in advanced jurisprudence—representing nearly 45% of all enrolled students.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Announcement of more than 200 topics for level 3 and 4 theses related to the topics that were taught.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Four books were compiled covering key topics: SDRs as the first international currency, legal perspectives on money, and AI ethics. These works will be distributed to seminary teachers and presented with published critical reviews and appropriate academic titles—similar to how the late Kashif al-Ghita’s Tahrīr al-Majala was introduced—for inclusion in curriculum at Islamic Seminaries and universities.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Formation of specialized working groups to review international and domestic documents and laws.&nbsp;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Compilation of a single-volume critique addressing UNESCO’s draft recommendations on AI ethics. Developed with input from experts in jurisprudence, ethics, philosophy, and law, the work was submitted to Iran’s UNESCO negotiation team and is slated for expansion into two comprehensive volumes for future publication.</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Establishment of “Ijtihād to University” network to convert scholarly work from Islamic jurists into accessible academic articles. This effort successfully led to the publication of its first paper—on cryptocurrencies—in the Monetary and Banking Journal of Iran's Central Bank Research Institute, marking a breakthrough in bridging traditional jurisprudence and modern academic discourse.</li></ul>&nbsp;Future Plans<ul><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Introducing 8 foundational courses in contemporary jurisprudence, featuring 19 key titles including A Bank with Usury, Sovereignty in Islam, and other topical studies;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Planning the compilation of 7 new volumes covering advanced jurisprudential issues on contemporary subjects, scheduled for release in the upcoming academic year;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Officially launching the course titled "The Legal Entity" as part of contemporary jurisprudence, designed to complement the foundational text Makāsib;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Preparing to publish at least five specialized volumes, each accompanied by scholarly critique from seminary experts, on pivotal subjects including venture capital, monetary law, AI ethics, and separation of powers;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Producing an "Ijtihad Roundtable" program, a thought-provoking broadcast featuring seminarian jurists discussing key issues in jurisprudence and Islamic Legal Theory;</li><li style="direction:ltr;text-align:justify;">Undertaking the translation of Islamic Seminary educational materials into global languages to enrich and contribute to the international academic literature;</li></ul>In continuation, pictures related to the unveiling ceremony of the books of advanced jurisprudence have been uploaded:<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:77.93%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_34_ae50c881c5.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:77.61%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_31_0f7ff73bce.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:76.64%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/photo_2022_11_16_23_26_05_a01d004172.jpg"></figure>

Head of Contemporary Jurisprudence Office, Hojjatoleslam Hosein Ethna-Ashari, unveiled the achievements and plans of the office.

Progress in Islamic Legal Thought; Achievements and Plans

In order to purchase al-Fāiq and all other books related to ijtihad and specialized sciences, published by the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh), please visit the following site &nbsp;<a href="http://yun.ir/Sfiqhci">http://yun.ir/Sfiqhci</a>. You can also follow the Department's book store on <a href="https://eitaa.com/fiqhci">Eitaa</a> (messaging app).&nbsp;To ensure fairness in the distribution of books, all books will be shipped free of charge across the entire country, regardless of the quantity ordered.&nbsp;Winter of 2022 to Be Spring of SeminaryGradually, dozens of books will be added to the collection of the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence's Book Store. You can join our channel on Eita to stay updated on all of the remarkable works from the Departments of Islamic Studies.

The ninth edition of the book "Al-Fāiq fī Al-Usūl" has been published in a new, professional format and online orders are now available with a special discount.

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Ninth Edition of Al-Fāiq fī Al-Usūl Published

The series has been carefully edited and presented in a modern professional format.In order to purchase Al-Fāiq and all other books related to ijtihad and specialized sciences, published by the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh), click on <a href="http://yun.ir/Sfiqhci">http://yun.ir/Sfiqhci</a> and follow this center on Eita (messaging app).

The two-volume series Sharḥ Al-Fāiq fī Al-Usūl, based on the lessons of Āyatullah Shab Zendedār, is available for online purchase with a 10% discount. 

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Online Purchase of Sharḥ al-Fāiq fī al-Usūl Available

Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

According to the news agency of the seminary, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, the Grand Marja of the Shia, deemed it necessary to pay deep attention to the works at the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). He made the request in a meeting with the heads of the seminaries and with the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) while praising their accomplishments. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the depth of the subjects and ensuring a strong intellectual role that this department should play.&nbsp;At the beginning of the meeting, Ayatollah Arafi expressed gratitude to Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi for his support and discussed seminary administration and programs, and highlighted the initiatives and publications of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh).He emphasized the importance of an detailed 5-year plan for significant tasks, including the activities of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). The focus is on advanced lessons rooted in seminary methodology, avoiding pseudo-enlightenment ideas, and relying on independent seminary principles. The institute collaborates with seminary and university teachers to analyze subjects jurisprudentially. This year, a 9-volume book on ijtihad has been published by this department, with plans for an equal number of new books next year.&nbsp;The head of Iran's Islamic seminary highlighted the collaborative effort behind the book Al-Fā’iq and its commentary, authored with the support of renowned advanced jurisprudence teachers. He emphasized that this book, as a supplement to Kifāyah, has sparked intellectual growth in the seminary. He also noted that future publications will be added to the seminary education system, which will complement Makāsib in subjects such as 'legal entity.'Identifying and publishing books that in the previous 100 years have been authored in Najaf and Qom on contemporary subjects was a project he considered as one of the other tasks of this department in the following year.&nbsp;<img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/A_makarem1_a59cce64df_666d007f96.jpg">&nbsp;Ayatollah Arafi noted: "We have contacted different Government bodies and have collected their issues and principle needs and formed more than 20 intellectual committees with the respected research executive Hujjatul Islām wa al-Muslimīn Muqīmī Ḥājī."He stated that students, teachers, and seminary centers conducting strategic research aligned with announced guidelines to address societal issues will receive support, adding that over 100 projects have already commenced and are set to be published by next year.&nbsp;Rapid Growth in Seminary LessonsHujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimīn Esna Ashari, head of the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence of the seminary, for his part said: ‘Although these lessons began in the second half of the seminary school year, 72 teachers and more than 1000 students participated in these lessons and it is anticipated that this number will be doubled in the next year.With over 200 teachers, around 4,800 students are enrolled in advanced contemporary jurisprudence lessons, and 2,500 in Al-Fā’iq courses, he reported and said the figures reflect 45% of high-level students' engagement with contemporary issues in some capacity.Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimīn Esna Ashari added: "At higher levels, students and teachers not only teach and study but also research new lessons alongside traditional seminary subjects. This allows them to grasp traditional principles of ijtihad while exploring its application to contemporary issues."The Department for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) highlighted the popularity of introductory books in this semester, including 'Usury and Islamic Banking' and 'Analysis of Methods to Elude Usury' by Ayatollah Makarem, 'Governance in Islam by Ayatollah Khalkhālī, 'Our Economics' by Shahīd Ṣadr, 'Jurisprudence of Guardianship and Governance' by Ayatollah Maẓāherī, and Fiqh of Cryptocurrencies by Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad Reza Modaressi. &nbsp;Seminary Initiatives Essential in Jurisprudence DevelopmentDuring the meeting held at Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi's residence, he highlighted the growing interest in jurisprudence and its principles within the seminaries, emphasizing their foundational role in religious rulings. He acknowledged the significant initiatives in this field, praising them as important steps in the right direction.He highlighted subjectology examples, emphasizing the need for precise analysis of money, its origins, and generation within the complexities of the modern global economic system.He argued that topics of cryptocurrencies, their classification as money or commodities, and the analysis of various company forms and investment types require precise scrutiny.<img class="image_resized" style="width:33%;" src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/A_makarem2_3a3d5c44f5_75efc6c656.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;"Additionally, the foundational rulings on these subjects must be clarified. The issue of loans, borrowing, and the disapproval of such practices, as noted in Imam Khomeini's writings, is another critical matter that demands serious attention and action," the Grand Marja said.Hujjat al-Islam Esna Ashari reported an extensive seminary-university team being established from different scientific fields and serious attention is being given to interdisciplinary research and different thematic aspects such as money. Likewise, opinions of legislative groups are being taken into been taken account and lengthy periods are being dedicated to thematic that sometimes even last over a year.At the end, the Ayatollah requested that the abstracts and conclusions of teachers' intellectual works on cryptocurrencies and other publications to be sent to him for review.

Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)


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Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi Calls for Special Attention to the Works of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

With the grace of Allah, in these six and a half years 320 meetings well held by the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and whereby each of the lecturers have had an active presence of at least 80% and some even 90% in these meetings. Similarly, during the periods such as Covid, the meetings were held regularly and with minimum absences.&nbsp;After a few months of focused discussion, one of the most challenging topics—concerning the legal entity, specifically the analysis of the relationship between the executive and the legal entity—is nearing completion. This has been an interesting debate, with a range of opinions, and the discussion on this subject was wrapped up yesterday.&nbsp;Although the lesson discussions in the second section of the book ‘الشخص الاعتباري’ (Juridical Person) is almost completed and God willing will be published in a book in the month of Dey (10th month of the Persian calendar which coincides with approximately January in the Gregorian calendar), however, additional discussions and copious research will be added to the book by the following year, which will be delivered in the level of scientific reference and will be exclusive to experts in this field.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is hoped that the product of years of research by lecturers and specialists in the field will have a significant impact beyond academia—particularly on the many related issues that decision-making bodies have continuously reported to the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh).

The 320th meeting of the academic committee of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence of the seminary was held with the presence of respected members

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