PhD Degree Awarded to Mr. Ahmed Abbas in Islamic Studies (Comparative Jurisprudence)

Mr. Ahmed Abbas Ali Ismail Al-Mutawakil was awarded a PhD degree in Islamic Studies – Comparative Jurisprudence for his dissertation titled: The Fatwas of Scholar Mohammed Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahdal (d. 1258 Hijri) from the Beginning of the Book to the End of Worship Chapter: Study and Verification, which was submitted to the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sana’a University. The dissertation defense was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

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:

#	Committee Members	Designation	University	Position
1	Prof. Ahmed Ibrahim Yahya Al-Ahdal	External Examiner	Hodeidah University	Chair
2	Prof. Ali Mohammed Maqbool Al-Ahdal	Main Supervisor	Sana’a University	Member
3	Assoc. Prof. Mutea Mohammed Shabalah	Internal Examiner	Sana’a University	Member

The dissertation comprised the study and scholarly verification of a jurisprudential manuscript of fatwas by the Scholar Al-Ahdal, one of the prominent Shafi‘i jurists. The research aimed to edit and critically analyze this valuable manuscript, highlighting its importance to the Yemeni Shafi‘i tradition and Islamic jurisprudence in general.

The study’s main findings included:

The author’s style is characterized by rigorous investigation and depth of analysis, with some fatwas expanding into extensive discussions covering all aspects of the issue, reflecting a strong scholarly method and sound legal reasoning.
The verified text included rare and precise jurisprudential issues and contemporary matters for the author’s time, rarely addressed in traditional fatwa collections, which enhances its scholarly value.
The fatwas demonstrated the author’s deep affiliation with the Shafi‘i school, his skill in engaging with foundational texts, and his flexibility in interpreting and selecting the strongest views with precision and care.

The dissertation recommended:

Completing the verification of the remaining fatwas of Al-Ahdal due to their significant academic and jurisprudential value that will enrich the Shafi‘i library.
Encouraging research centers and Islamic universities to undertake projects for editing and publishing the fatwas of later Yemeni jurists, as they reflect practical jurisprudence and contextualized application of Islamic law.
Publishing the verified fatwas in a peer-reviewed academic series following thorough review and final proofreading, to make them accessible to scholars and students in universities, institutes, and academic centers.

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