On 18 April 2015, Mr. Javad Esma’ili, a MA IIIS student of Islamic Studies in English sat for his dissertation defense session. The title of his dissertation was “Rationality and Faith according to Ayatollah Javadi Amoli and Etienne Gilson”. Dr. Daneshvar and Dr. Hejazi supervised and advised for the dissertation respectively.
As explained by himself, Mr. Esma’ili’s dissertation first studies Gilson’s opinions and then focuses on Ayatollah Javadi Amoli’s. The similarities, differences, and the solution each suggest for issues relating to metaphysics were compared.
After the introduction, the referee, Dr. Taheri thanked Mr. Esma’ili for his effort on the thesis. Dr. Taheri pointed out to various features of the thesis, such as its eloquence, structure, grammar, content, and that the thesis was not longer than what is expected from a MA dissertation. He also explained his opinion about the titles, criticisms, and the use of comparative study.
Dr. Daneshvar explained how the structure chosen by Mr. Esma’ili served the goals of the thesis. Dr. Hejazi added to Dr. Daneshvar’s praise of Mr. Esma’ili’s efforts by thanking him for achieving this thesis amid being heavily busy while writing it. He emphasized that Mr. Esma’ili chose a challenging subject, which is also an important issue of our time.
At the end of the session, Mr.Esma’ili’s thesis was granted a score 18, and hence passed for the MA of Islamic Studies.
]]>Dissertation: “Divine Forgiveness in the Qur’an and the Bible”
Level: MA – English
Date: 15 December 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Hejazi
Advisor: Dr. Ansarifard
Referee(s): Dr. Hosseini
Grade: 19
On 15 December 2014, Mr. Mohammad Monib, a MA student of Islamic Studies in English in IIIS sat for his dissertation defense session.
The title of dissertation was “Divine Forgiveness in the Qur’an and the Bible” and was presented in Farsi. Dr. Hejazi and Dr. Ansarifard supervised and advised for the dissertation respectively.
At the beginning of the session Mr. Monib summarized the content of his dissertation. He had pointed out to subjects such as, God’s forgiveness in the Qur’an, the Ash’arite and Mo’tazilite idea about forgiveness, monotheism and forgiveness, various levels of forgiveness (categorized by person and sin), effects of forgiveness, forgiveness in the Bible, and requirements of forgiveness according to Christianity. He also gave a lexical insight in the beginning of every chapter.
Dr. Hosseini, the referee, described the dissertation as great. He acknowledged the sensitivity of the topic, but praised the organized and calm discussion the author had managed to make. He also pointed out to referencing, use of Arabic and Persian fonts, and advised that a conclusion be added to the end of each chapter to sum up the information in that chapter.
Dr. Hejazi, Mr. Monib’s supervisor, stressed on the significance and importance of the chosen topic. He emphasized that Mr. Monib had done a very good job in touching controversial theological issues, such as the issue of God, human will etc.
After Dr. Ansari’s insight to the dissertation, the referees announced the result after consulting each other. Mr. Monib was awarded the MA Degree with an outstanding score of 19. He therefore became the institute’s fourth graduate.
]]>Dissertation: “Animals Slaughtered by the People of the Book”
Level: MA- English
Date: 07 October 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Mokhtari
Advisor: Dr. Zamani
Referee(s): Dr. Alizadeh Musavi
Grade: 18.5
On 07 October 2014, Mr. Mohammad Meftah, a MA student of Islamic Studies in English at the IIIS sat for his dissertation defense session.
The title of dissertation was “Animals Slaughtered by the People of the Book”. Dr. Mokhtari and Dr. Zamani supervised and advised the dissertation respectively.
Mr. Meftah explained that the issue is of common concern to Muslims living in non-Islamic communities. The study, according to Mr. Meftah, aims to take a new insight into the previous researches done in this regard. He emphasized that the study shows the possibility to reach new results if further study is done.
Mr. Meftah explained that the issue of slaughter has been raised in the Qur’an twelve times, more than fasting and haj, with special emphasis. He concluded that it seems that to the Qur’an, slaughter is not merely a discussion on feeding one’s self, and relieving hunger, but much deeper than any other such issues.
Mr. Meftah explained that his study uses the Qur’an, Sunni and Shia interpretations of the Qur’an, narrations and tradition, Ilm al-Rijal (biographical evaluation of the transmitters of hadith) as well, using most analytical methods of analysis. He emphasized on the sensitivity used to accept a narration, explaining that only narrators have been accepted whom all references agreed on their authenticity.
The referee, Dr. Alizadeh Musavi, pointed out to some issues, such as formatting, referencing to previous fatwas, definitions and typing, followed by Dr. Mukhtari, who praised Mr. Meftah’s courage and effort in choosing this topic, with all its complexities.
Mr. Meftah’s dissertation was accepted, with a very good grade of 18.5.
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Dissertation: “الرحلة فی طلب الحدیث” (Journeys to Acquire Hadiths)
Level: PhD – Arabic
Date: 8 August 2014
Supervisor: Dr. Jabbari
Advisor: Dr. As’adi
Referee(s): Dr. Hosseini
Grade: 18
On 8 August 2014, Mr. Khamooshi, a PhD student of Islamic Studies in Arabic in the IIIS sat for his dissertation defense session.
The dissertation was titled as “الرحلة فی طلب الحدیث” (Journeys to Acquire Hadiths) and focused on trips to or from Iraq and Iran by Shia scholars up to 5th century AH, to acquire hadiths. Dr. Jabbari and Dr. As’adi supervised and advised the dissertation respectively.
Mr. Khamoushi explained how such a topic was common in Sunni sources of hadith, but non-existent in Shia sources. He explained the methods used for the dissertation, software, double checking sources in paper books, analysis on every narrator who has had a trip to different countries, and taking off the names of narrators whose status regarding having a trip or not could be doubted.
Mr. Khamoushi stated that every narration was analyzed for his dissertation, and special attention was put on hadith transmission.
The referees reviewed the dissertation and touched issues such as the content compared to the title, organization of transmitters list, use of the word Turath, historical facts, grammar and typing, and references.
Mr. Khamoushi’s supervisor, Dr. Jabbari, also gave his insight into the dissertation, pointing out to Mr. Khamoushi’s endeavor, and praised the novelty of his subject.
At the end of the session, Mr. Khamoushi’s dissertation was granted a grade of 18 out of 20, making him the institute’s second graduate.
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The topic of his thesis was “The Approach of the Ahlul-Bayt and Particularly the Fifth and Sixth Imams towards the Followers of other Schools of Thought and Religions”
(منهجیة التعامل مع غیر الشیعة من اتباع المذاهب الإسلامیة لدی أئمة اهل البیت (ع) مع التأکید علی الصادقین (علیهما السلام))
Supervisor: Dr Seyyed Nabir al-Hasani
Advisor: Dr. Ali al-Sheikh
First Examiner: Dr. Muhsen Qummi
Second Examiner: Dr. Muhammad Hadi Gharavi
Dissertation: “Answers of Islam Regarding the Challenges of Marriage in Developed Countries”
Level: MA- English
Date: 13 January 2015
Advisor: Dr. Hejazi
Referee(s): Dr. Sayyid Ahmad Rahnama’i
Grade: 18.5
On 13 January 2015, Mr. Ghazanfari defended his MA dissertation for Islamic Studies in English.
The title of Mr. Ghazanfari’s dissertation was “Answers of Islam Regarding the Challenges of Marriage in Developed Countries” which studied the possible answers Islam has for different problems of marriage in modern society.
In his introduction, Mr. Ghazanfari pointed out to the challenge of finding books relevant to western societies, since most Persian books focus on the atmosphere existing in Iran.
In addition, Mr. Ghazanfari’s dissertation in English was a new and novel move in the Seminary, which demanded his further research and creativity for the formatting of the dissertation.
The dissertation’s referee, Dr. Sayyid Ahmad Rahnama’i, acknowledged the importance of the topic, and gave his explanation about how important it is. He praised the work for its good introduction, and well organized and rich content and arguments. The referee raised the possibility of publishing the dissertation as a book, which was later acknowledged by the dissertation’s advisor as well.
The advisor, Dr. Hejazi, stressed that Mr. Ghazanfari took the risk of composing his dissertation in English contrary to the obstacles existed. He believed that this was a starting point for others to follow, and emphasized on the importance of the subject. Dr. Hejazi also pointed out to some of the theological challenges existed in this regard, such as whether it is logical for Islam to provide answers for a non-Islamic community.
Mr. Ghazanfari’s dissertation was accepted, with a very good grade of 18.5 out of 20.
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