Department of Islamic Law
overview
The Prophetic Tradition and the Science of Hadith
The Department of Islamic Law trains students in the Hanafi tradition through the study of Furūʿ al-Fiqh and Uṣūl al-Fiqh, equipping them to engage classical sources and contemporary legal issues with clarity and rigor.
Understanding revelation and applying it to life through clear, responsible interpretation of Islamic law.
Explore Programs
View Course Catalog
Curriculum Focus
Areas of Study
Students are introduced to a wide range of legal disciplines, including:
Furūʿ al-Fiqh (Substantive Law)
Uṣūl al-Fiqh (Legal Theory)
ʿIlm al-Khilāf (Comparative Law)
Al-Qawāʿid al-Fiqhiyyah (Legal Maxims)
Iftāʾ (Fatwa Methodology)
Adab al-Qāḍī (Judicial Procedure)
Al-Aḥkām al-Sulṭāniyyah (State Law)
Farāʾiḍ (Inheritance Law)
Nawāzil (Contemporary Issues)
Furūq (Legal Distinctions)
Ḥiyal (Legal Devices)
Shurūṭ (Legal Documentation)
Building Expertise
Academic Pathways
Intermediate Islamic Studies
Study of Worship, Commercial Law, Family & Social Law, Penal Law, Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Comparative Legal Reasoning, and Fiqh & Legal Theory, with a focus on evidences and juristic reasoning.
Study of Worship, Commercial Law, Family & Social Law, Penal Law, Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Comparative Legal Reasoning, and Fiqh & Legal Theory, with a focus on evidences and juristic reasoning.
Advanced Islamic Law & Theology
Advanced training in Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Legal Maxims, Legal Research, Fatwa Methodology, and Independent Legal Analysis, preparing students for specialization.
Advanced training in Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Legal Maxims, Legal Research, Fatwa Methodology, and Independent Legal Analysis, preparing students for specialization.
Graduate Specialization (Takhassus fi al-Fiqh – Iftāʾ Program)
Professional training in Fatwa Research, Contemporary Issues, Bioethics, Financial Law, Judicial Procedure, and Advanced Hanafi Legal Theory for future muftis and legal researchers.
Professional training in Fatwa Research, Contemporary Issues, Bioethics, Financial Law, Judicial Procedure, and Advanced Hanafi Legal Theory for future muftis and legal researchers.
Department Approach
Training Scholars in the Practice of Legal Reasoning
Teaching is guided by mentorship and tarbiyah, focusing on developing
scholars who understand both how and why rulings emerge.
The Fatwa Development Process
Students learn the fatwa process through structured legal research and decision-making.
Analyzing questions and context
Classical and contemporary research
Consulting specialists when needed
Drafting precise legal responses
Faculty review and scholarly discussion
Mentorship & Scholarly Formation Description
Mentorship and tarbiyah cultivate scholars grounded in both legal reasoning and responsibility.
Faculty-guided learning
Ethical and intellectual growth
Principled legal reasoning
Scholarship, character, and service
Preparation for contemporary challenges
Faculty
Mufti Hisham Dawood
The faculty combine classical scholarly training with practical experience in fatwa writing, legal research, and community engagement, guiding students from foundational study to advanced specialization.
Chair, Department of Islamic Law
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
Why Study This Department?
Students benefit from:
Structured Hanafi legal education
Integration of theory and practice
Exposure to real-world fatwa development
Direct engagement with classical texts
Close faculty mentorship
Opportunities for advanced research
Preparation for leadership and scholarship
Explore More
Quick Access
Explore the core resources and information designed to support your academic journey and research experience.
Course Catalog
Academic Advising
Curriculum Maps
Publications
Begin with Purpose
Start Your Journey in Islamic Scholarship
Explore our academic pathways and choose the department that aligns with your intellectual and spiritual goals.
Explore ProgramsContact Admissions
Stay connected
Get updates on programs, events, and Islamic scholarship