Master’s Degree Awarded to Ms. Eman Al-Sharafi in Islamic Studies

Ms. Eman Mohammed Qasim Ahmed Al-Sharafi was awarded a Master’s degree in the major of Islamic Creed and Thought with an average of (Excellent) and a grade of (93%) for her thesis titled “Yaqutat Al-Ghuyasa Al-Jami’a Li Ma’ani Al-Khulasa Al-Nafi’a, by the Scholar Mohammed bin Yahya bin Ahmed Hanash (d. 719 Hijri) from the Beginning of the Manuscript to the End of the Third Issue: ‘Indeed, Allah Almighty is All-Knowing’: A Study and Investigation,” which was submitted to the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:

The thesis aimed to introduce the author, Mohammed bin Yahya Hanash, and his book Yaqutat Al-Ghuyasa. It also sought to clarify the author’s methodology in writing, highlight his views and doctrinal and intellectual school of thought in Kalam (Islamic scholastic theology) as one of the Zaydi scholars, and emphasize the book’s importance in the field of Islamic creed. This was achieved by presenting the author’s opinions and doctrine, supported by rational and textual evidence, followed by presenting and refuting the statements of opposing sects and schools of thought with arguments and evidence.

Among the significant findings, the thesis concluded that the judge and scholar Mohammed bin Yahya devoted himself solely to knowledge, teaching, and authorship. He was one of the greatest Zaydi scholars of his era, belonging to the class of learned scholars. His work Yaqutat Al-Ghuyasa is his most famous and significant work in Kalam, having been adopted as a curriculum for students of knowledge in study circles for a long period. Furthermore, the author’s writing methodology relied on rational and textual evidence to support his statements and doctrinal beliefs, as well as to refute the statements and doctrines of opposing Islamic and non-Islamic sects, addressing their ambiguities and refuting them concerning the Oneness of Allah, His transcendence, and His befitting attributes and states.

The thesis offered several key recommendations, including the importance of verifying all of his works, as he has publications in both creed and jurisprudence. It also suggested shedding more light on his life and studying his works and Zaydi intellectual heritage.

The thesis was examined and recommended by the Viva-Voce Committee for acceptance and approval. The defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, students, and interested individuals, in addition to the candidate’s colleagues and family members.