FSH News, 2nd Floor Theater (21/06/2024) – The Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) opened its doors to cooperation with educational institutions both domestically and internationally. On this occasion, June 21, 2024, FSH welcomed a visit from Professor Muhammad Fadel, a faculty member from the University of Toronto Law School, Canada. The event was attended by numerous students from various programs, including undergraduate and graduate levels.

The theme of the event was “Islamic Law and Public Policy in a Modern Islamic State.” Dean of FSH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, S.H., M.A., MDC., warmly welcomed Professor Fadel as the opening for potential international collaborations, emphasizing the importance of enhancing partnerships with other educational institutions as a form of active collaboration.

Dean Maksum explained that this theme is crucial, especially given the significant changes occurring in modern Muslim countries regarding state forms, ideologies, and socio-cultural conditions.

Professor Muhammad Fadel, a prominent scholar in Islamic family law and other related fields, provided a detailed presentation on the relationship between Islamic law and conventional law. He explained that there are various approaches to punishment in both legal systems. Islamic law governs the concepts of qisas (retribution) and other specific rules, which somewhat parallels conventional law's approach to arbitration or non-litigation.

One of the key topics discussed was the legal system surrounding marriage in Islam, which developed earlier than in conventional law. Prof. Fadel explained that the marriage of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Aisha had specific rules that were unique to Islamic law. When compared to conventional law, significant differences arise, leading to potential conflicts between the two legal systems. This highlighted the need for a new synthesis in Islamic jurisprudence, capable of addressing contemporary issues through ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) where no prior law exists.

The event concluded with a complex and thought-provoking discussion with students, who responded actively to Professor Fadel's material, reflecting their deep engagement with the subject.[LFM]