PhD Degree Awarded to Mr. Abdullah Shadiq in Islamic Studies

Mr. Abdullah Manaa Mahdi Ali Shadiq was awarded a PhD degree in Islamic Studies for his dissertation titled: Juristic Consensus in Al-Intisar Book by Imam Yahya ibn Hamza (d. 749 AH):
A Study and Compilation of the Section on Acts of Worship in Comparison with Works of Comparative Fiqh, which was submitted to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities – Sana’a University. The dissertation defense was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

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

The dissertation aimed to:

• Compile and systematically document the issues of juristic Consensus presented in the ‎section on acts of worship in Al-Intisar ‎

• Analyze these issues, clarify their evidences, and examine their juristic foundations.‎

• Compare Imam Yahya ibn Hamza’s treatment of these issues with discussions found ‎in comparative Fiqh works across various schools of Jurisprudence.‎

• Highlight the Imam’s methodology in addressing issues of Consensus and ‎demonstrate its scholarly value.‎

• Contribute to consolidating the jurisprudence of consensus (Fiqh Al-ittifaq) and ‎promoting a culture of unity and moderation in contemporary Fiqh‎

The study yielded several key findings summarized as follows:

• Imam Yahya ibn Hamza devoted notable attention to highlighting shared juristic positions, reflecting a scholarly and conciliatory approach.

• The scope of agreement in matters of worship is broader than the scope of disagreement, with differences almost confined to subsidiary details.

• The jurisprudence of consensus constitutes an essential foundation for building a balanced and inclusive Fiqh

• Al-Intisar book represents an important source in comparative jurisprudence and merits further scholarly editing and study.

In light of these findings, the researcher recommended the following:‎

• Extending research to the remaining sections of Al-Intisar book following the methodology of Fiqh Al-ittifaq.

• Encouraging comparative studies that emphasize common juristic grounds among different schools of thought.

• Undertaking a rigorous academic critical edition of the book and publishing it in an accredited scholarly format.

• Incorporating the subject of the jurisprudence of consensus (Fiqh Al-ittifaq) into comparative Fiqh curricula in faculties of Sharia and Arts.

• Drawing on Imam Yahya ibn Hamza’s methodology to promote a culture of juristic dialogue grounded in fairness and scholarly objectivity.

The dissertation defense was attended by a number of academics, researchers, and specialists, students, colleagues, and the researcher’s family.

A video from the Viva-Voce