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PhD in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

Advanced Studies - General MasterPhDPH-JU-TG-AH

PhD in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

Faculty

الآداب و العلوم الإنسانية

Department

الشريعة و الدراسات الإسلامية

Duration

3 years

Language

عربي

About the Program

The PhD in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) is a postgraduate program at Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework. It prepares specialized researchers capable of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad), juristic grounding (ta'sil), and preponderance (tarjih), and of addressing contemporary issues and emerging cases (nawazil). Comprising 36 credit hours across coursework and a dissertation, it is delivered full-time at the main campus in Jeddah for both sections.

Vision & Mission

Vision

Leadership and excellence in preparing specialized researchers in Islamic jurisprudence and in producing authentic juristic knowledge that addresses contemporary issues, at the national and regional levels.

Mission

To graduate distinguished researchers in Islamic jurisprudence capable of producing authentic juristic knowledge and of addressing contemporary issues through a firmly grounded Sharia methodology, equipped with the highest skills of scholarly research, derivation (istinbat), and preponderance (tarjih), serving the Sharia, judicial, and fatwa domains and supplying scholarly and judicial institutions with qualified personnel.

Program Goals

1To prepare specialized scholarly personnel capable of independent reasoning, juristic grounding, and preponderance per the methodologies of verifying jurists.
2To develop the faculties of independent research and the capacity to produce authentic juristic knowledge.
3To qualify students to examine emerging cases and characterize them juristically on the basis of Sharia maxims and higher objectives (maqasid).
4To strengthen critical abilities in analyzing contemporary fatwas and evaluating the methodologies of muftis.
5To instill integrity, research ethics, the etiquette of disagreement, and responsible intellectual independence.
6To train students in the use of digital tools and specialized software in juristic research and documentation.
7To qualify graduates to contribute to community service through sound fatwa, Sharia consultancy, and addressing juristic issues of public impact.

Learning Outcomes

Critically analyzes major juristic questions across the chapters and schools of Fiqh, comparing the various positions, their evidence, and modes of reasoning.
Grounds juristic questions in the maxims and higher objectives of Sharia, and accurately characterizes contemporary emerging cases to derive their rulings.
Evaluates classical and modern fatwa methodologies, the sources of fatwa, their controls and ethics, and distinguishes between scholars' approaches.
Derives Sharia rulings from their detailed evidence, weighs competing positions per recognized principles of preponderance, and critiques contemporary fatwas objectively.
Applies Sharia and statutory texts and maxims to newly arising situations, producing authentic juristic solutions to contemporary issues.
Designs advanced juristic research using the latest research methods and digital tools, and produces an original dissertation contributing to the field.
Adheres to the ethics and integrity of scholarly research and applies the etiquette of disagreement in scholarly practice and discussion.
Leads research teams responsibly and independently, and contributes to community service and problem-solving through a balanced approach.
Embraces continuous self-directed learning, develops research and professional skills, and disseminates juristic knowledge responsibly.

Graduate Attributes

A juristic researcher able to exercise independent reasoning, grounding, and preponderance per the methodologies of verifying jurists.A specialist able to characterize emerging cases juristically and derive their rulings on the basis of Sharia maxims and objectives.A critic of contemporary fatwas and fatwa methodologies against objective scholarly criteria.A researcher proficient in advanced research methods and digital tools, able to produce an original, publishable dissertation.Committed to research ethics and the etiquette of disagreement; independent and responsible; able to lead research teams and serve the community.A lifelong self-directed learner, qualified to contribute to the judiciary, fatwa, university teaching, and scholarly research.

Career Opportunities

The PhD in al-Fiqh program prepares its graduates for a broad range of judicial, legal, academic, research, and advisory careers. Graduates are qualified to work in the judiciary, including Sharia courts and administrative courts, subject to applicable statutory and professional requirements. They are also prepared for careers in public prosecution and criminal investigation, judicial support services such as notarial services, judicial documentation, Sharia research, and enforcement administration. The program further qualifies graduates to serve in official fatwa institutions, practice law, and provide Sharia and legal consultancy, as well as pursue university teaching, academic supervision, and research in specialized centers. Career opportunities also extend to government entities such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, the Ministry of Interior, the Board of Grievances, the Council of Senior Scholars, and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, in addition to educational institutions, Sharia research centers, and Sharia supervisory boards in financial institutions.

Study Plans & Courses

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Last Modified Date: 14/07/2026 - 12:51 AM Saudi Arabia Time