Contemporary Jurisprudence Education

&nbsp;According to new issues and reports of professors and students, it is necessary to inform students of the following:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">The book of al-Lahs al-Laghahi has two parts and two exams. The first part of this book has been printed many times during the summer and has reached the hands of professors and students with a unique welcome and is currently being taught. The second part of the book al-Lahs al-Laghahi will be published by the end of autumn in a volume close to the first part and will be taught in the second half of the year. Therefore, the respected students who have chosen the second part of the legal person, can participate in the classes according to the normal routine from winter.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">There was a problem in applying the scores of those who passed the previous year’s preparatory courses in contemporary jurisprudence. After many follow-ups, the Head of Technology announced that instructions and administrative issues have been resolved and soon all the promised privileges will be applied to the esteemed students.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The preparatory courses of contemporary jurisprudence are different from the courses outside of contemporary jurisprudence. These courses are text-based and students can participate in them. Currently, students can browse through 8 introductory course titles in the course selection section, some of which are not unique to one text book. More than 90 professors provide different books for the relevant courses, the complete list of which can be seen here.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Preparatory courses are very effective in the future of ijtihad and education. These courses are completely optional, but has gained a lot of attention, and students from the level of their interest and in their field of interest first read the text and become familiar with the specialized literature of knowledge, and then they can continue the same in the external courses of contemporary jurisprudence. This is how, along with absolute ijtihad, they can acquire the necessary expertise in various subjects. The books are all ijtihad and up-to-date. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for the students to have a serious presence in order to make full use of the course outside of contemporary jurisprudence.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">If you see that the students of the seminaries have serious doubts in the new scientific programs of the seminaries, besides the old programs, this action is the result of a correct explanation.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">However, due to the large number of professors and students, the field management group may not have completed a complete explanation in some areas despite all efforts. Therefore, it is appropriate for all scholars, professors, managers and respected students to accompany this comprehensive explanation of the field. If any of the people, by watching the clips and announcements of the field, have clarified some issues for them, they should explain the issue to another person, even to ten people, a hundred people or even more. Surely, all participants in this matter will have a scientific interest in it. Therefore, we should consider it our duty to explain to everyone from today, so that untrue words are not published. And we should never consider this to be the sole responsibility of seminary administrators. The main issue to explain is the optionality of the courses, which is the permanent tradition of the field and is also given in an extremely complete way in the new educational program of the field.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">As the elders such as Martyr Sadr (R.A) said in the introduction to Halqat and the late Grand Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad Saeed Hakim (R.A) in the introduction to Al-Kafi Fi al-Asul and others, one of the methods of teaching accurate knowledge, which is a common method even outside the field is that the educational book and scientific reference should be written in such a way that it is not necessarily the opinion of one person, but rather a book with internal coherence and scientific strength that covers what the students need, so that they can criticize and ijtihad in it and produce new works.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Some books of contemporary jurisprudence, such as al-Lahs al-Laghahi and al-Faiq, were compiled based on the same method. Just as Martyr Sadr (R.A) said as an expert on the principles that what is stated in Halqat or Ekhtazna is not necessarily my final opinion, but it is sufficient for education, the same is stated in the introduction of contemporary jurisprudence books. What comes in the published books (of the center) after hundreds of group discussions and discussions (which is unique in the field and at this scientific level) is not necessarily the opinion of all the elders present in the meetings, but according to them, it is a coherent, accurate and useful book for teaching. However, it will be completed over time by sending dozens of suggestions from professors.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Some other books published by the center, such as Fiqh al-Naqud, Fiqh al-Borasteh, Fiqh Ramarzha, etc., have followed the method of collecting the opinions of a certain scholar and thinker.</li></ul>&nbsp;In these 6 days of activity of the center until today, the love and kindness of the professors and students increases with each passing day, and we certainly did not anticipate such support on the first day. And along with the support and, of course, constructive and extremely excellent scientific criticisms, we benefited from the supreme authority of Taqlid and the honorable professors. We thank God and are grateful towards them.&nbsp;Do not worry about the few people who are offensive online, these things are normal in achieving great things.&nbsp;

According to issues and reports sent by respectful professors and students, it is necessary to present a number of announcements

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Educational Announcement Number 1

Commentaries, translations, and summaries according to the Register of the National Library of Iran are presented, whereby a portion of these commentaries were written in collaboration with the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh), and some were written independently, for which we are grateful to all the esteemed professors.&nbsp;1. Title: Translation and Commentary on Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘UsūlAuthor: Sayyid ‘Alī PanjtaniyānPublication: Būstāne Kitāb, Qom, 2022&nbsp;2. Title: Translation of Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘UsūlAuthor: Sai’īd Zāri’īPublication: Būstāne Kitāb, Qom, 2022&nbsp;3. Title: Translation of Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘UsūlAuthor: Sai’īd Zāri’ī and Yūnus Khājeh VandīPublication: Farāgīrāne Sīnā, Hamedān, 2022&nbsp;4. Title: Commentary on Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘Usūl according to the lessons of Ayatollāh Shab Zindeh DārAuthor: ‘Alī ẒahīrīPublication: Publishing Institute of the Management Centre of the Islamic Seminary, Qom, 2021&nbsp;5. Title: Translation and Commentary on Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘UsūlAuthor: Sayyid Ḥamīd MūsawīPublication: Andīsheye Ṣādiq, Qom, 2022&nbsp;6.Title: Barguzīdehye Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘UsūlAuthor: Sayyid Muḥsin MurtaḍawīPublication: Būstāne Kitāb, Qom, 2022

In this article, the commentaries, translations, and summaries of the book "Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘Usūl" are introduced.

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Commentaries, Translation and Summary of the book "Al-Fāiq Fī Al - ‘Usūl" 

Islamic Seminary

The seminary news agency and the Education of Religious Seminaries, organised a session whereby Hujjat ul Islam wal Muslimeen Rustam Nijād responded to questions brought forth by professors and students regarding the new format of advanced level lessons set by the Islamic seminary.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a series of questions and answers, the goals and features of the new format of advanced level lessons was clearly elaborated upon and it is hoped that such a practice is kept constant. The following two links contain the questions and answers propound upon and a detailed explanation of the new learning format has been presented:&nbsp;<a href="https://hawzahnews.com/xbQRM">https://hawzahnews.com/xbQRM</a><a href="https://hawzahnews.com/xbQPP">https://hawzahnews.com/xbQPP</a>&nbsp;There are two noteworthy points in the above material which indicate to the original subject matter, which have been decided upon after a few years of gathering the opinions of the professors:&nbsp;1) For general students, while observing traditional learning methods (such as discussions and essays) it is forbidden for them to study more than 4 courses a day and increasing the study years is not possible&nbsp;&nbsp;2) In the majority of the general lessons of the seminary, the final sections of the course are not taught (where in fact, the final sections do not necessarily have a lesser priority in comparison to all the other sections) and professors are looking for ways to teach these sections. Having said that, the instances that are currently being considered are as follows:Firstly every professor, who in accordance to previous formats, is able to teach the complete study program with their top students should continue the same format and after completing the term program should hold exams (the number of exams will be increased). However, as for professors who in the past were unable to complete the term program, instead of eliminating the final sections, in accordance to the importance and appropriate distribution, should dedicate some lessons to self study. The recommended term study program can be modified after receiving general feedback from the professors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thus, the previous education system is preserved for interested professors and students and as for the rest, it has been endeavoured that a more rational planning is considered.

Deputy head of education of the Religious Seminaries, responded to questions regarding the new formats of advanced level lessons

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Response by the Deputy Head of Education to the Format of New Advanced Level Lessons 

Iran

Even though various meetings have been held continuously from sunrise to midnight during a visit to Khuzestan, the results of these meetings were so attractive and promising that it relieved the earlier fatigue of attendees.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Islamic Seminary of Khuzestan and especially the city of Ahwaz has a lively, active and exciting environment. In this event, the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) had the opportunity to meet quite a number of scholars and also had a meeting with the new director of the province, the respected Shaykh Bilādiyān. He was a virtuous person, very respectful and well - mannered, and had a knowledgeable and revolutionary personality.In addition, a meeting was held with Ayatollah Jazāirī, who holds in-depth advanced jurisprudence lessons in Ahvaz. The photo related to his advanced jurisprudence lessons can be seen below.<img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan1_22b85d89ee_5dffbe70d1.jpg">Advanced Jurisprudence Lesson of Ayatollah Jazāirī&nbsp;Although, as can be seen in the photo below, Ayatollah Jazāirī was slightly ill, he warmly welcomed the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and after a complete report was presented to him on the achievements of contemporary jurisprudence at his home, he became so content that he straightaway accepted the departments proposal, and it was decided that during this year, in his main advanced jurisprudence lessons, he would devote one session a week in discussing a nominal entity.&nbsp;<img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan3_b89572f71e_b8066d5f33.jpg"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan4_033f5a18ce_77867fae5b.jpg">Meeting Ayatollah Jazāirī&nbsp;Another one of the blessings of this visit, was a meeting with Ayatollah Muḥsin Ḥaydarī who is one of the lectures of advanced jurisprudence from Ahwaz. During the meeting that was held in his school as shown in the picture below, the professors and managers that work for him were also present. Interestingly he teaches guardianship of the jurist and has also published a book in Arabic regarding the Shia Islamic view on the type of government administration (published in the Arab world), and impressively, the esteemed professors of his school were seriously following the latest topics of contemporary jurisprudence.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan2_8d8b3722ac_6ebe780ff4.jpg">Meeting Ayatollah Muḥsin Ḥaydarī who is one of the professors of advanced jurisprudence from Ahwaz along with professors and managers that work for him.&nbsp;He said that after his current discussion of advanced jurisprudence, which is about partnership (Musharikah) and lands (which is a problem in that region), he will start teaching another one of the discussions of contemporary jurisprudence.&nbsp;&nbsp;Note by the Reporter:&nbsp;Accompanying the 63-year-old Director of the Islamic Seminaries on a work trip means continuous work—work, and more work—without a moment’s pause. Believe it or not, the only opportunity I found to buy souvenirs for my young children was at the airport on the return journey, and that was solely because the flight was delayed by a few minutes. One suspects that if the respected Director had known of the delay, he would have promptly ordered a meeting to be convened on the spot to resolve an outstanding issue.&nbsp;Any role that can be played by reasonExcept the role of&nbsp; Beloved who is unhappy...&nbsp;

Last week we had a brief meeting with the esteemed director and officials of the Islamic Seminary of Khuzestan. 

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Report of the Visit to Khuzestan as narrated by the Director of the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence

Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

Contemporary Jurisprudence Research

The start of this season followed the beginning of introductory lessons to contemporary jurisprudence, transformational and precise progress in advancing the scientific level of study in the Islamic seminary with an unexpected welcome by the respected teachers and students.&nbsp;Following this progress, several meetings were held with teachers and different educational departments which was welcomed by the professors and elders and the admirable progress of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). Many of these respected people welcomed further co-operation with this transformational endeavours. The original aim of these meetings was to request a greater presence of the respected elders in lessons and research pertaining to contemporary jurisprudence.&nbsp;As an example from the held meetings, the meeting held with Ayatullah Jawādī Āmuli took place with the head of the Islamic seminaries. This meeting extended the specified time and the respected Ayatullah presented strategic discussions and after being acquainted with all the activities undertaken by the center of contemporary jurisprudence and a request for his greater presence, Ayatullah Jawādī Āmuli announced that with the Grace of Allah, he will begin advanced contemporary jurisprudential lessons from this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another meeting, with the co-operation of Ayatullah A’rāfī, was held in the presence of Ayatullah Subhānī. With emphasis that he had previously taken steps to run advanced lessons in contemporary issues and its results &nbsp; published in his books of Ijtihād, he expressed his devotion and promised his additional assistance in both introductory lessons in contemporary jurisprudence as well as in advanced lessons of philosophy so that competent teachers would take a step forward in teaching.&nbsp;One of the other meetings that took place was in the presence of Hujjatul Islām wal Muslimeen Shahristānī (representative of Ayatullah Sistānī) whereby after the activities of the center of contemporary jurisprudence was presented, he advocated for many of these measures and also introduced some teachers for collaboration. One of the future plans is to undertake a more serious intellectual co-operation with these respected teachers.&nbsp;Furthermore, other meetings were held with different educational institutions such as the office of jurisprudential studies of forensic medicine in which whilst expressing the desire to co-operate, intellectual matters were also discussed to advance the educational level of the seminaries.&nbsp;Photos of these meetings are presented below:<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:65.07%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem1_ffd7585d3a_cca8e452f3.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:64.76%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem2_1b4fda2d1b_4ddd08481a.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:64.92%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem4_218b122c6b_2018bfcd7d.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:64.27%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem5_83603e579c_f57ba76938.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:63.84%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem6_09b73918d7_900af9eb63.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:63.42%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem8_0f106c2afd_871a21fe7b.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:63.41%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem11_d44427bd18_ab01c2a0be.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:62.9%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem12_08a2c27b05_f59a087f83.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:62.62%;"><img src="https://fms.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem13_00a9dc6cf3_fd4b8d906e.jpg"><figcaption>Pictures of cordial and strategic meetings with respected Marāj’, teachers, noble seminaries and educational institutions. Winter 1400 (2021)</figcaption></figure>

Winter 2021 was very productive for the department by launching introductory lessons as to advance the scientific level of study in the Islamic seminary.

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Productive Winter for the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

To date, 73 lectures have registered for the advanced contemporary jurisprudence courses and 82 advanced contemporary jurisprudence courses have been introduced to students. These courses are dedicated to various topics from medical jurisprudence to the economic system in Islam.Please note that only students studying in the advanced jurisprudence lessons can choose a course, and if the number of relevant sessions is one or more days per week, it will be considered as a replacement for their regular advanced jurisprudence lessons; on the condition that they participate in another ‘regular’ advanced jurisprudence lessons during the rest of the week.For the students, an advanced lesson can be selected under the section of advanced jurisprudence lessons alongside other advanced lessons (in other subjects). In order to easily view the names of the lectures, you can select the word "contemporary" when clicking on the option of the advanced jurisprudence course.&nbsp;&nbsp;Due to the possibility that the number of professors (ustad) will increase in the coming days, the current list that will also be updated.&nbsp;Click <a href="https://uupload.ir/view/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3_%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC_%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87_%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1(1)_wbbv.pdf/">here</a> to get the list of advanced contemporary jurisprudence teachers.

In the current year, 73 lectures have registered for advanced contemporary jurisprudence courses.

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List of Registered Lecturers for Advanced Contemporary Jurisprudence Courses

During the unveiling ceremony of the ijtihadi works of the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) in December 2021, Ayatollah Alireza A‘rafi made a strategic statement, for the first time publicly announcing a multi-year scholarly and strategic initiative undertaken by the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). This initiative—designed to untangle real and substantive academic challenges without resorting to media-driven narratives or attributing blame to others, in line with the department’s established approach—has been underway and is currently being actively implemented.Drawing on his years of experience in leading the Hawza–University Research Institute, Jami‘at al-Mustafa al-‘Alamiyya, as well as his membership in the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and the boards of trustees of several universities, Ayatollah A‘rafi stated: “The relationship between the Hawza and the university is now taking shape in a new form.”It is evident that accurate understanding of contemporary issues today requires familiarity with the latest global scholarly outputs, as well as awareness of up-to-date questions raised by the public and by specialists—both domestically and internationally. Only through such engagement can the effectiveness and relevance of scholarly production be ensured.Alongside other methodological approaches, universities constitute one of the institutions capable of playing a constructive role in this process. However, several serious obstacles exist in this collaboration. Some of these have already been resolved, while others are nearing resolution. This emerging model of cooperation is precisely the approach referenced by Ayatollah A‘rafi.Below are examples of some of the existing challenges:First: Experts and faculty members in each academic institution tend to analyze issues from perspectives that are not necessarily transferable, in the same form, to jurisprudential (fiqhi) inquiry. A clear example is the medical and clinical analysis of brain death. While such analyses are valuable for medical education, they often fail to clarify dimensions of the issue that are essential for fiqhi reasoning. At present, however, the challenge of developing a shared technical language between the two fields has been largely resolved in many areas.Second: Despite the fact that Hawza journals, under approved regulations, hold recognized academic–research status, and notwithstanding the presence of leading Hawza institutions and scholars producing highly rigorous and precise research across various disciplines, collaboration with the Hawza or publishing in seminary journals is still not recognized as a research activity in most universities in the country and does not contribute to academic promotion. As a result, the full scholarly capacity of university faculty remains underutilized.The root of this problem, however, is not limited to regulatory frameworks or administrative bylaws. Rather, it stems from the fact that the impact and position of rigorous Hawza sciences in advancing the frontiers of knowledge—and even in bringing about foundational and paradigm-level transformations in the sciences—have yet to be fully appreciated by many university researchers.Through the sustained efforts of Faqihs, seminary professors, and researchers, together with a broad university network that has collaborated with the Center of Contemporary Fiqh for more than five years, this issue is now approaching resolution. With the intensive activities initiated at the beginning of 2022, there is strong hope that tangible and effective steps will be taken in this field during the current year. Naturally, an endeavor that long appeared unattainable requires sufficient time to become fully established.We firmly believe that leading Hawza scholars are not confined solely to Qom, nor are outstanding university academics limited exclusively to Tehran. Rather, across Iran we have identified—and will continue to identify—elite scholars who will accompany us on this path.

This report addresses the challenges and selected examples of existing issues involved in building effective links between universities and the Islamic seminary

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DCF’s Program to Strengthen Hawza–University Cooperation

In accordance by the Head of the Islamic Seminaries, from the academic year 2021-2022, all professors who have authorization to hold lessons of advanced level jurisprudence can proceed to hold lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence in the subjects announced by the administration of the Islamic seminaries in which case, the lessons of these respected lecturers will be considered as formal lessons of the Islamic seminary and will enjoy the relevant distinctions.&nbsp;It is worthy to note that specific lessons held in previous years with scientific collaboration from the Department of Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) will continue in accordance to the previous manner alongside all other lessons.&nbsp;&nbsp;Full text of the announcement made by the Head of the Islamic Seminaries is as follows:&nbsp;Support package for lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence&nbsp;1- From the academic year 1400-1401 (2021-2022) and thereafter, all professors who have been authorized by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Education and respected management of higher and advanced levels of Qom and have at least 5 years’ experience in teaching advanced level jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence lessons, can hold lessons around the country in advanced level contemporary jurisprudence.&nbsp;Note 1: Subjects for lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence are announced by the Head of the Islamic Seminaries in consultation with the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh) of the Islamic Seminaries.&nbsp;Note 2: All lecturers interested in teaching the contemporary subjects (apart from subjects in Note 1) can send a detailed index of the subjects and topics of the lessons along with research sources for review by the management of the Islamic seminaries and in the event of approval, it will be announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;Note 3: Lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence must be held at least once a week. Students can only participate in an oral interview of those lessons provided that in the rest of the days of the week they are present in other lessons (both contemporary jurisprudence and other) and have a minimum attendance in advanced level lessons&nbsp;in accordance to the educational regulations of the seminary.&nbsp;Note 4: Students of advanced lessons, after passing the two oral interviews, over the academic year, that participate (in this lesson) alongside lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence or other lessons, can participate in the interview of only one of these lessons at their own discretion and by obtaining a minimum score of 12 is sufficient to pass the oral interview of that year.&nbsp;2- From the academic year 1400-1401 (2020-2021) and thereafter, only students of the aforementioned advanced level contemporary &nbsp;jurisprudence lessons who publish one scientific-research article in their subject lesson are subject to the following privileges:<ul><li>For every article, two points will be awarded as an accolade (maximum 6 points) in each of the advanced level contemporary jurisprudence lesson interviews with the condition that they obtain a minimum score of 10 in that interview.</li><li>Privilege for those living in Shahrak Mahdiyya for every article in each year in accordance to the relevant regulations.&nbsp;</li><li>Support for publishing of their books in Ijitādī subject of contemporary jurisprudence in the event it is approved by the Publishing Council in accordance to the approved regulations.</li></ul>&nbsp;Note 1: The list of journals subject to this section will be announced by the Honourable Deputy Head of Seminary Research.&nbsp;Note 2: Presentation of official certificate for acceptance of article in the journal when it is published.&nbsp;Note 3: Support regulations are approved and announced for the publication of books (related) to contemporary jurisprudence in co-ordination with the respected deputy head of research and with the presence of the Honourable Head of Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh). In accordance with assistance in this affair, the budget and capacities of the Research Support Secretariat and the budget of the Directorate can also be used.

Professors are allowed to hold lessons of advanced level contemporary jurisprudence in the subjects announced by the administration of the Islamic seminaries.

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Approved Lessons of Advanced Level Contemporary Jurisprudence

Last week, together with the Director of the Islamic Seminaries and senior officials, we undertook an intensive visit to the Khuzestan Seminary. Although our schedule was exceptionally demanding—with continuous meetings from early morning until midnight—the outcomes were so encouraging and inspiring that they dispelled any sense of fatigue.The Khuzestan Hawza, particularly in the city of Ahvaz, proved to be a remarkably vibrant, active, and energetic environment. We benefited greatly from engaging with numerous scholars and also met with the newly appointed provincial director, Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Beladian. He is a learned, highly respected, and ethical figure, possessing both scholarly depth and a strong revolutionary outlook.In addition, we had the honor of meeting Ayatollah Jazayeri, who conducts an extensive dars al-kharij (advanced jurisprudence course) in Ahvaz.&nbsp;A photograph from his dars al-kharij is shown below.<figure class="image"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan1_22b85d89ee_28ecd27a33.jpg"><figcaption>Ayatollah Jazayeri’s Dars al-Kharij Session</figcaption></figure>During our two-day stay in Khuzestan, Ayatollah Jazayeri was experiencing some physical discomfort—as can be seen in the photo below—yet he showed remarkable enthusiasm for contemporary fiqh. After I presented a comprehensive report on the achievements of contemporary fiqh during a meeting at his residence, he was so pleased that he immediately accepted our proposal. It was agreed that throughout the current year, he will dedicate one weekly session of his main dars al-kharij to a dars al-kharij on legal constructs (ashkhāṣ i‘tibārīyah) within contemporary fiqh.<figure class="image"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan3_b89572f71e_72cf9bafe1.jpg"></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan4_033f5a18ce_b9e5f63a9f.jpg"><figcaption>Meeting with Ayatollah Jazayeri</figcaption></figure>Another significant outcome of this trip was meeting Ayatollah Mohsen Heydari, one of the dars al-kharij instructors in Ahvaz. In a session held at his hawza—attended by faculty members and administrators, as shown in the image below—it was particularly noteworthy that he has delivered an extensive dars al-kharij on Wilāyat al-Faqīh (Guardianship of the Jurist). He has also published works in Arabic on the Shi‘a perspective of governance, which have been disseminated across the Arab world. Even more striking was the strong and serious engagement of the seminary’s senior instructors with the latest discussions in contemporary fiqh. &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/khozestan2_8d8b3722ac_25443657c7.jpg"><figcaption>Session with Ayatollah Mohsen Heydari, Dars al-Kharij Instructor in Ahvaz, alongside Faculty and Administrators of His Seminary</figcaption></figure>Ayatollah Heydari stated that after completing his current dars al-kharij—which focuses on joint ownership and land issues (a topic of practical relevance in the region)—he intends to enter one of the other fields of contemporary fiqh.Postscript: A point you may not be aware of: accompanying the current 63-year-old Director of the Islamic Seminaries on a work trip means continuous work—work, and more work—without a moment’s pause. Believe it or not, the only opportunity I found to buy souvenirs for my young children was at the airport on the return journey, and that was solely because the flight was delayed by a few minutes. One suspects that had the respected Director known of the delay, he would have promptly ordered a meeting to be convened on the spot to resolve an outstanding issue.

Last week, together with the Director of the Islamic Seminaries and senior officials, we undertook an intensive visit to the Khuzestan Hawza

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Khuzestan, as Recounted by the Director of the Department of 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&mdash;a precise and transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the academic level of the Islamic Seminary (Hawza &lsquo;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&rsquo;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&mdash;accompanied by the Director of the Islamic Seminaries&mdash;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&lsquo;rafi, took place with Ayatollah Ja&lsquo;far Subhani (may God preserve him). Emphasizing that he had previously offered dars al-kharij on contemporary issues&mdash;whose outcomes have been published in his jurisprudential works&mdash;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&rsquo;s activities, he strongly endorsed these efforts and introduced several scholars for potential collaboration. One of the Office&rsquo;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.

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Photos from these meetings are presented below.<img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem1_ffd7585d3a_bc33447d4e.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem2_1b4fda2d1b_e20ad855fc.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem4_218b122c6b_4f3f9609d2.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem5_83603e579c_4aa10717f1.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem6_09b73918d7_9d4e275577.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem8_0f106c2afd_1486be8ad4.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem11_d44427bd18_4fb576b223.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem12_08a2c27b05_0d426f61f9.jpg" /><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/zem13_00a9dc6cf3_b6c8dc5460.jpg" />

Winter 2022 proved to be an exceptionally active and vibrant period for the Centre for Contemporary Jurisprudence (Fiqh)