PhD Degree Awarded to Mr. Mohammed Abdulkareem Rajeh
The Public Viva-Voce Examination for the PhD Dissertation hereto entitled, Agreements and Points of Divergence between Abi al-Fath al-Daylami and Abi al-Hasan al-Mawardi in their Books ‘Al-Burhan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an’ and ‘Al-Nukat wa al-‘Uyun’ from the Beginning of Surah Maryam to the End of Surah Al-Ankabut: A Comparative Study, submitted by Mr. Mohammed Abdulkarim Rajeh Ali Rajeh, to the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Sana’a University, was held on Tuesday, Dhu al-Qa’dah 15, 1446 Hijri, corresponding to May 13, 2025. The Viva-Voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
| # | Committee Members | Designation | University | Position |
| 1 | Prof. Ali Mohammed Al-Ahdal | Internal Examiner | Sana’a University | Chair |
| 2 | Prof. Ahmed Mohammed Mathkour | Main supervisor | Hodeidah University | Member |
| 3 | Assoc. Prof. Mahmoud Saeed Al-Ghazali | External Examiner | Sana’a University | Member |
The dissertation aimed to:
- Introduce the two Imams Abu al-Fath al-Daylami and Abu al-Hasan al-Mawardi and examine their exegetical methodologies.
- Analyze their points of agreement and divergence in Quranic readings, reasons for revelation (asbab al-nuzul), tradition-based and opinion-based exegesis, linguistic analysis, and legal interpretations.
The dissertation reached several key findings, including:
- The study analyzed 244 exegetical issues, finding 147 points of agreement between the two imams.
- Imam Al-Daylami had 8 unique interpretations, while Imam Al-Mawardi had 89.
- Al-Daylami’s commentary was concise, whereas Al-Mawardi’s was more expansive.
- Both scholars emphasized Quranic readings, contextual revelation, and a balanced approach between narrated and rational exegesis.
- While linguistic analysis was central to their methodology, they limited extensive legal discussion (tafsir al-ahkam) primarily to Surah Al-Nur, as their works were primarily exegetical rather than jurisprudential.
The dissertation recommends the following:
- Further research on apparent-meaning exegesis and its impact on juridical preference in the two scholars’ works.
- A specialized study on their agreements and divergences in Quranic sciences.
- An investigation into their exegetical principles as demonstrated in Al-Burhan and Al-Nukat wa al-‘Uyun.
- The inclusion of comparative and analytical tafsir in graduate curricula to enhance students’ proficiency in the field.
The PhD dissertation was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was attended by faculty members, scholars, researchers, students, colleagues, and the candidate’s family.
