Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Nafisah Abbas Saleh in Quranic Exegesis
Ms. Nafisah Abbas Saleh Yusuf Hadrami was awarded a Master’s degree, majoring in Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis), from the Department of Quranic Studies at the Faculty of Education – Sana’a University, with an average of (Excellent) and a grade of (95%). Her thesis, titled: “Nafais Al-Jawahir Al-Hesan Al-Bahiya fi Bayan Asrar Ma’ani Al-Ayat Al-Qur’aniyyah (Precious and Beautiful Jewels in Explaining the Secrets of the Meanings of Quranic Verses) by the Scholar Al-Hasan bin Ibrahim Al-Khatib Al-Zabidi Al-Yamani (d. 1265 Hijri): A Study and Investigation,” was successfully defended on Sunday, Dhu al-Qa’dah 27, 1446 Hijri, corresponding to May 25, 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 | Assoc. Prof. Mujahid Yahya Mohammed Hadi | Internal examiner | Sana’a University | Chair |
| 2 | Prof. Refaat Hussein Mohammed Aburah | Main supervisor | Sana’a University | Member |
| 3 | Assoc. Prof. Mahmoud Said Mohammed Al-Ghazali | External Examiner | Hodeidah University | Member |
This thesis aimed to:
- Introduce the esteemed scholar Al-Hasan bin Ibrahim Al-Khatib Al-Zabidi, his era, and his seminal work, Nafais Al-Jawahir Al-Hesan Al-Bahiya fi Bayan Asrar Ma’ani Al-Ayat Al-Qur’aniyyah.
- Analyze the manuscript, elucidating the author’s methodology and principal sources.
- Present a rigorous critical edition and study of Surah An-Noor, adhering to established academic standards for manuscript authentication.
The thesis yielded several important findings, most notably:
- Al-Khatib lived in the 13th Hijri century, a period marked by significant intellectual fervor, academic pursuits, independent reasoning (Ijtihad), and renewal.
- His work, Nafais Al-Jawahir Al-Hesan, is a significant contribution to Quranic exegesis.
- Al-Khatib enriched the Yemeni library with numerous diverse works, among which this book is paramount. The critical edition of this comprehensive work spans from the beginning of Surat Al-Fatihah to the end of Surat An-Nas.
The thesis concludes with several recommendations and suggestions, including:
- The necessity of extensive research and investigation into Yemeni Islamic heritage manuscripts in libraries for their critical edition.
- The activation of communication and collaboration between Yemeni universities and specialized Arab and Islamic universities for the dissemination and teaching of Yemeni heritage.
- The researcher recommends that relevant authorities in scientific research, publishing centers, and Sana’a University publish the complete work of Nafais Al-Jawahir Al-Hesan in a single volume once its critical edition is finalized, to benefit students of knowledge.
The MA thesis has been examined and is recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was well-attended by academics, researchers, students, and the candidate’s colleagues and family members.
