Master’s Degree Awarded to Researcher Katibah Mu’nis with Distinction in Holy Quran and Its Sciences

Researcher Katibah Hizam Saleh Ahmed Mu’nis was awarded a Master’s Degree in Holy Quran and Its Sciences with an average of Excellent and a grade of (95%) for her thesis titled: Nafa’is Al-Jawahir Al-Hisan Al-Bahiyyah fi Bayan Asrar Ma’ani Al-Ayat Al-Qur’aniyyah by the Yemeni Scholar Hasan ibn Ibrahim Al-Khatib Al-Zubaidi (d. 1265 AH): A Critical Study and Investigation of Surah Taha, which was submitted to the Department of the Holy Qur’an and Its Sciences, Faculty of Education – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Monday, July 13, 2026‎‎.

The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# Committee Members Designation Position
1 Prof. Jamal Mohammed Ahmed Hajar External Examiner Chair
2 Assoc. Prof. Mujahid Yahya Mohammed Hadi Main Supervisor Member
3 Assist. Prof. Salem Saghir Yahya Al-Waeli Internal Examiner Member

The thesis aimed to introduce the Yemeni scholar Hasan ibn Ibrahim Al-Khatib Al-Zubaidi, highlight his methodology and sources in his Qur’anic exegesis Nafa’is Al-Jawahir Al-Hisan Al-Bahiyyah fi Bayan Asrar Ma’ani Al-Ayat Al-Qur’aniyyah, and produce a critical edition of the manuscript covering Surah Taha in accordance with established scholarly principles of manuscript editing.
The study found that the work is among the distinguished contributions to Qur’anic exegesis, combining tafsir based on transmitted sources (tafsir bi al-ma’thur) with reasoned interpretation (tafsir bi al-ra’y al-mahmud). It is further distinguished by its critical evaluation of differing scholarly opinions, presentation of subtle linguistic and interpretive insights, treatment of both canonical and non-canonical Qur’anic readings with their justifications, and reliance on Prophetic traditions, Arabic language, grammar, and poetic evidence. The work also addresses a range of theological and social issues through a rigorous scholarly approach.
The thesis recommended establishing a comprehensive database of Yemeni manuscripts at universities, particularly Sana’a University, to document both edited manuscripts and those still requiring critical editing. It also called for organizing specialized training programs in manuscript editing across Yemeni universities.
The thesis defense was attended by faculty members, researchers, students, and interested participants as well as the researcher’s colleagues and family members.