Introductory Courses to Contemporary Jurisprudence is on the Path of Ijtihādi Evolution

According to the Hawza News Agency, over the last few days, introductory courses on Contemporary Jurisprudence, as a new movement in the path of Ijtihādi evolution on the foundations of jurisprudence authored by Jawāhir ul Kalām, was the center of discussion amongst students of the seminary. In this regard, the measures which were promised by the Center of Contemporary Jurisprudence of the Islamic Seminaries, by the Grace of Allah have been fulfilled.

The full text of this discussion which took place with Ayatullah A’rāfī, the Head of the Islamic Seminaries, is presented below:

Initially, the Head of the Islamic Seminaries began by expressing his gratitude with this great step: From the previous year, it has been requested from the Center of Contemporary Jurisprudence that just as pleasing measures were taken to develop Advanced Level courses in Contemporary Jurisprudence, similar measures should be taken for text-oriented courses of Contemporary Jurisprudence. Thus, with co-ordination with different sections of education and technology at the headquarters and High Levels, the trial phase of this phase has begun.

In fulfilling this measure the heritage of Contemporary Jurisprudence aims to archive the elders of the Islamic Seminary, who have always been leaders in contemporary issues throughout history, onto the Islamic Seminaries education platform, such that students, prior to entering advanced level classes of Contemporary Jurisprudence, become familiarized with the jurisprudential texts in contemporary subjects, as well as being acquainted to analytical and reasoning methods in this field. 

In continuation, Ayatullah A’rāfī stated: "In the first step, 19 books in 8 subjects have been selected. It has been endeavored that works from previous jurists such as Sheikh Ḥussain Ḥillī, Ayatullah Hāshimī Shahrūdī, Ayatullah Mu’min, Ayatullah Khalkhālī, is used as well as works from the present-day Respected Mara’je such as Ayatullah Makārem Shirāzī, Subḥānī and Sayed Kāẓim Hāeiri and from exceptional lecturers from advanced level courses of contemporary jurisprudence. These programs will be implemented based on the comprehensive plan and the 5-year plan of the Center of Contemporary Jurisprudence.

At the end, the Head of the Islamic Seminaries expressed: “We are at the onset of this great task and invite all the teachers of the Higher Level and Advanced Level to help with their strong presence in strengthening this intellectual measure and new subjects and books will also be added in the future to these courses”.