The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala discussed the master’s thesis entitled “Verses of the Self in the Holy Qur’an – A Rhetorical Study” by the student Sajjad Dhamad Kamil.

This study emerged to answer a fundamental question represented in clarifying the nature of the human self as a Qur’anic term that deserves study and analysis, in addition to highlighting the rhetorical features in the Qur’anic texts in which this term appears and the extent of their influence on the recipient, which constituted the main problem around which the study revolved.

The researcher adopted the descriptive analytical method in his study, as the thesis was organized into a preface and three chapters. The preface was concerned with explaining the components of the title and the different directions related to it, while the first chapter addressed the structural features of the verses of the self in the Holy Qur’an under the title “The Rhetoric of Structures in the Verses of the Self.” It included two sections: the first on the rhetoric of declarative and imperative constructions, and the second on the rhetoric of the sentence and what falls under it such as foregrounding and postponement, definiteness and indefiniteness, stylistic shift, and brevity.

The second chapter dealt with the figurative and expressive aspect of the verses in which the term “self” appears under the title “The Rhetoric of Figurative Imagery in the Verses of the Self in the Holy Qur’an,” addressing topics of simile, metaphor, metonymy, literal meaning, and figurative meaning.

The third chapter was devoted to studying the aesthetics of badīʿ in the verses of the self in the Holy Qur’an, as one of the pillars of Arabic rhetoric that contributes to improving the resonance of words, highlighting their musical beauty, and strengthening the impact of meaning on the recipient. The chapter addressed the aesthetics of verbal embellishments such as paronomasia, rhymed prose, the Qur’anic verse ending, harmony between wording and meaning, parallelism, harmony, and balanced division, in addition to semantic embellishments such as antithesis, contrast, good justification, consideration of correspondence, hyperbole, and double entendre.

The thesis concluded with a conclusion that included the most prominent results reached by the researcher, which confirmed the great impact of the Qur’anic text and its lofty status in the field of rhetoric, due to its balance between wording and meaning, in addition to its ability to expand the suggestive horizon of the meaning carried by the Qur’anic term within its textual context.

The student, Riam Qasim Abdul Ameer Hashem, has been awarded a Master’s degree in Sharia and Islamic Sciences from the University of Karbala / College of Islamic Sciences, following the successful defense of her thesis entitled:

“Tafsir Dafiʿ al-Baliyya by Sheikh Muhammad Muhsin ibn Muhammad Rafiʿ al-Rashti al-Isfahani, from Verse (65) to Verse (82) of Surah al-Baqarah – A Study and Critical Edition,”

for which she received a grade of Excellent.

The thesis focused on the study and critical editing of a Qur’anic exegetical manuscript dating back to the thirteenth century Hijri. It shed light on the scholarly contributions of the scholars of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) school of thought in the field of Qur’anic exegesis, highlighting their intellectual depth and rigorous methodology.

The thesis was divided into two main sections. The first section was devoted to the analytical study and included an introductory chapter presenting the author’s biography, lineage, teachers, students, works, and date of death. The first chapter examined his exegetical methodology through linguistic interpretation, exegesis and hermeneutics, as well as mystical interpretation. The second chapter addressed the principal theological and jurisprudential discussions found in his commentary.

The second section was dedicated to the critical edition of the selected Qur’anic text in accordance with established scholarly principles for manuscript verification, including authentication, textual editing, and comparison with relevant primary sources.

The thesis concluded that Tafsir Dafiʿ al-Baliyya represents a comprehensive exegetical work that integrates linguistic analysis, Qur’anic interpretation, theological reasoning, and esoteric insights. It also demonstrated that the author adopted a methodology based on selecting the most authoritative opinions, grounded in the narrations of the Infallibles (peace be upon them).

Furthermore, the thesis aligns with Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—“Quality Education”—by promoting rigorous academic research and reviving Islamic heritage through the scholarly editing of manuscripts according to contemporary academic standards, thereby contributing to the enhancement of higher education quality and the consolidation of a strong academic research culture.

At the College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala, the Master’s thesis entitled “The Principle of Human Dignity and Its Impact on the Interpretation of the Qur’anic Text” by student Maher Abdul Ridha was successfully defended.

The study aimed to highlight human dignity as a fundamental principle and an interpretive framework for understanding the Qur’anic text, and to demonstrate its role in revealing the value-based structure of rulings and legislation. It also shed light on the importance of human dignity as a universal ethical concept and its status at the legislative level, presenting both textual and rational evidence supporting its validity.

The researcher adopted the inductive analytical and descriptive inductive methodologies to address the research problem and present the views of Qur’anic exegetes regarding the interpretation of the Qur’anic text, while clarifying the impact of the principle of human dignity in offering a new interpretive reading that enriches the academic field.

The study reached several conclusions, most notably emphasizing the centrality of the human being in Qur’anic legislation. It found that understanding human dignity constitutes a key entry point for interpreting the objectives of rulings that safeguard human sanctity and rights. The research also stressed the importance of understanding the maqāṣid (higher objectives) context of the verses, considering human dignity a supreme Qur’anic value that guides the exegete toward reading the text within the framework of mercy, justice, and the protection of rights. Furthermore, it demonstrated that adopting human dignity as an interpretive principle contributes to guiding juristic inference and prioritizing meanings that promote the preservation of life, intellect, freedom, and justice.

The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala discussed the doctoral dissertation titled “Qur’anic Rhetoric in Light of the Book Mizan al-Hikmah,” submitted by PhD student Ali Jaafar. The discussion was held in the Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) Hall at the college, in the presence of a number of professors, researchers, and postgraduate students.

The dissertation examined Qur’anic rhetoric in light of the book Mizan al-Hikmah by its author Muhammad Al-Rayshahri (may God have mercy on him), which combines the light of the Holy Qur’an with the wisdom of the Infallibles (peace be upon them) within a precise scientific methodology. The study aimed to highlight the rhetorical meanings of Qur’anic texts when compared with the hadiths of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and to analyze their styles through the three sciences of rhetoric: semantics, eloquence, and rhetorical embellishment.

The dissertation confirmed that the Holy Qur’an is not merely a text to be read, but a universal project of guidance and a comprehensive divine discourse that transcends time and place to address different groups of humanity, influencing minds and hearts alike. It also clarified that Qur’anic rhetoric was not linguistic luxury, but rather a means of guidance and a bridge between revelation and humanity, forming a unique pattern of expression that cannot be measured against anything else.

The research reviewed Al-Rayshahri’s methodology in collecting Qur’anic verses and linking them to the noble hadiths, and classifying them into precise thematic chapters covering human affairs from creed to ethics, society, politics, economics, and history, in a way that allows a view of the integration of texts and their semantic harmony. It also indicated that the primary aim of the book Mizan al-Hikmah is to clarify the concept of wisdom and the means of attaining it, and that adherence to what it contains achieves justice and completeness in understanding the texts.

The study adopted the descriptive-analytical method, relying on sources of exegesis, hadith, language, and rhetoric, in addition to documenting the author’s biography from reliable digital sources. It was divided into an introduction and three chapters:

The first chapter was devoted to topics in the science of semantics, addressing declarative and non-declarative speech, fronting and delaying, ellipsis, definiteness and indefiniteness, and shifts in grammatical person.

The second chapter included topics in the science of eloquence, such as simile, metaphor, metonymy, and figurative expression.

The third chapter was devoted to rhetorical embellishment, including repetition, paronomasia, antithesis, contrast, cadence, parallelism, and stylistic correspondence.

The dissertation concluded that Qur’anic rhetoric, as manifested in the Book of God and reflected in the wisdom of the Infallibles, is a rhetoric of guidance, construction, and persuasion, and that the book Mizan al-Hikmah represents an integrated model of the interaction between the Qur’anic text and the wisdom of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), opening new horizons for understanding and rhetorically analyzing the texts with precision.

The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala held a master’s thesis defense for graduate student Maryam Musa, titled “Funding Sources of Islamic Banks in Imamiyyah Jurisprudence – Presentation and Analysis.”

In her thesis, the researcher conducted a specialized academic study aimed at clarifying the Imamiyyah (Shi’a) jurisprudential perspective on regulating the financial resources of Islamic banks. The study also highlighted the Sharia-based and economic principles that underpin financing and investment operations in these banks, which are considered modern financial institutions representing a key aspect of economic renewal in contemporary Islamic societies.

The research explained that the topic responds to an urgent need for establishing a financial system rooted in Islamic Sharia principles, free from prohibited usurious practices, to serve as an ethical and economic alternative to conventional banking—one that balances the requirements of modern development with the foundations of Islamic law.

The thesis concluded that these financial resources form an integrated financing system capable of supporting the Islamic economy and achieving equitable development. It emphasized the importance of developing Islamic banking legislation and expanding financing instruments in accordance with Imamiyyah Sharia principles.

The Dean of the College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala, Professor Dr. Mohammed Hussein Aboud Al-Taie, along with his assistants and heads of scientific departments, held an extended meeting to discuss ways to enhance academic performance in the college.

The meeting was attended by the Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs, Assistant Professor Dr. Khudair Jassim Haloub; the Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Sadiq Al-Hasnawi; as well as the heads of the scientific departments, including: Professor Dr. Hazem Al-Barz, Head of the Arabic Language Department; Assistant Professor Dr. Asmaa Qasim Mohammed, Head of the Jurisprudence and its Fundamentals Department; and Assistant Professor Dr. Ammar Al-Ansari.

The meeting, held in the main hall of the university presidency, focused on improving educational quality and developing curricula to meet the needs of students and the university. Emphasis was placed on strengthening collaboration among faculty members, raising the level of teaching and scientific research, and enhancing the overall academic environment within the college.

In his remarks, the Dean highlighted the importance of continuous cooperation among all faculty members to achieve the academic vision of the college, stressing the role of professors in fostering an educational environment that contributes to the advancement of students’ scientific levels. He also affirmed the college’s commitment to implementing strategic plans that aim at achieving academic excellence and meeting the needs of society.

This meeting comes as part of the college’s ongoing efforts to improve faculty performance and ensure educational quality in line with contemporary developments and students’ academic requirements.

The second cohort of PhD students at the College of Islamic Sciences, University of Karbala, organized an honorary event titled “Repaying the Favor to Esteemed Professors,” in appreciation of their continuous contributions and in recognition of their pioneering role in the fields of knowledge and ethics.

The event, held in Imam Hussein (PBUH) Hall in the presence of the college’s dean, professors, and postgraduate students, featured several special segments. It began with a speech by the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Mohammed Hussein Aboud Al-Taie, who praised the students and expressed his pride in the efforts and knowledge provided by the professors in preparing an aware and capable academic generation.

Additionally, Professor Dr. Dhurgham Al-Moussawi delivered a speech highlighting the importance of this student initiative, which reflects a spirit of loyalty and appreciation, commending the positive interaction between the students and the teaching staff.

The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala held a master’s thesis defense titled:
“Sheikh Ali Kashif Al-Ghita’ and His Jurisprudential Contributions – Presentation and Analysis” by student Ali Hassoun Khudair, at the Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) Hall, in the presence of several professors, researchers, and postgraduate students.

The thesis explored in its first chapter the biography and scholarly background of Sheikh Ali Kashif Al-Ghita’, shedding light on his intellectual milestones and academic formation.
The second chapter focused on analyzing the legal evidences he relied on in deriving jurisprudential rulings, while the third chapter highlighted his distinctive jurisprudential views that set him apart from other scholars of his time.
The fourth chapter presented and analyzed his most notable jurisprudential and fundamental theories, clarifying their impact on the development of the field of Islamic jurisprudence and their interactions with other scholarly schools.

The examination committee praised the importance of the topic and its focus on a prominent scholarly figure, affirming that the thesis represents a valuable contribution to the field of jurisprudential studies and the scientific analysis of Islamic heritage.

The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala held the defense of a Master’s thesis by student Waheed Fareed Kamel Mohsen, entitled:
“The Narrations of Muhammad bin Sinan Al-Zahiri and Their Impact on Deriving Jurisprudential Rulings – Presentation and Analysis.”

The study examined the figure of narrator Muhammad bin Sinan Al-Zahiri, one of the prominent transmitters whose narrations were the subject of considerable debate in the sciences of Rijāl (biographical evaluation of narrators) and Hadith. This is due to the conflicting views in Imami heritage sources regarding the acceptance or rejection of his narrations. The researcher sought to re-examine his role from a critical and scholarly perspective, distancing the discussion from preconceived judgments, by analyzing his narrations and deconstructing the contexts in which they were transmitted—both methodologically and textually.

The thesis consisted of an introduction and three chapters, preceded by a preliminary section providing a comprehensive study of Muhammad bin Sinan’s biography, his life, and his relationship with Imams al-Kazim, al-Ridha, and al-Jawad (peace be upon them), offering the necessary historical background to understand his place within hadith transmission.

• Chapter One: Investigated the reliability (thiqa) of Muhammad bin Sinan by collecting and analyzing classical and modern scholarly evaluations. The findings indicated that many of the criticisms against him are not strongly supported, while several indicators suggest that he was, in fact, a trusted transmitter.
• Chapter Two: Focused on his jurisprudential narrations in the fields of worship (ʿibādāt) and transactions (muʿāmalāt), analyzing the texts and chains of transmission, and highlighting their role in the construction of Imami legal reasoning.
• Chapter Three: Examined the practical jurisprudential rulings contained in his narrations—such as rulings on purity, prayer, penal codes, and blood money—demonstrating their presence within the juristic corpus and their influence on applied jurisprudential reasoning.

The researcher concluded that Muhammad bin Sinan Al-Zahiri was not a marginal transmitter, but rather a significant link between the infallible Imams and the juristic text, and that many of the preconceived judgments regarding him warrant serious scholarly reassessment.

The thesis ultimately called for a re-evaluation of his position in both Rijāl and jurisprudence in light of the new evidence and perspectives presented in the study.

The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala hosted the defense of a Master’s thesis submitted by student Khitam Rahim, entitled:
“The Critical Authority of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Bustani – A Reading in His Qur’anic Studies.”

The examining committee consisted of:

• Prof. Saeed Hameed Kazem – Chair
• Asst. Prof. Farah Baqir Ahmed – Member
• Asst. Prof. Ahmed Rahi Saadoun Al-Zaidi – Member
• Prof. Ali Mohammed Yaseen – Member and Supervisor

The thesis posed several fundamental questions regarding Dr. Al-Bustani’s critical framework, such as:

• What is meant by critical authority?
• How is this authority reflected in his Qur’anic studies?
• What foundations distinguished him as a critic?
• Was his critical authority singular or diverse in its patterns?
• How did he employ critical terminology and methodologies in his textual analysis?

The study was structured into three main chapters:

• Chapter One: Addressed Al-Bustani’s cultural background, intellectual formation, and major scholarly contributions.
• Chapter Two: Discussed the general concepts within his critical discourse, forming the theoretical framework of his authority.
• Chapter Three: Explored the manifestations of this authority in his Qur’anic studies, focusing on:
  • The external context of the text and its role in shaping meaning.
  • The internal structure of the text, analyzed through precise epistemological references.

The research concluded with significant findings that uncovered new dimensions in Dr. Al-Bustani’s critical discourse not previously examined in comparable depth. The results affirmed that Al-Bustani successfully established a balanced and moderate critical authority, grounded in his mastery of modern critical methodologies and languages, which enabled him to engage directly with original sources—enriching his studies of the Qur’an and the texts of the Infallibles (peace be upon them).