Mukalla – University Media

The Faculty of Graduate Studies at Al-Ahgaff University has awarded researcher Ahmed Marei Omar Al-Khanbashi a Master’s degree in Jurisprudence and its Principles for his thesis entitled:
“The Divergent Opinions of Abdullah bin Omar Bamakhrama and Ibn Hajar on Matters of Purification and Prayer – A Compilation and Analytical Study.”

The thesis defense committee consisted of:

• Dr. Ali Abdullah Hamed Al-Jailani – Assistant Professor, External Examiner
• Dr. Zain Mohammed Al-Aidaroos – Associate Professor at Hadhramout University, Committee Chair and Internal Examiner
• Dr. Asfiya Al-Rahman Faisal – Assistant Professor in the Department of Jurisprudence and its Principles at Al-Ahgaff University, Internal Examiner

The aim of the study was to explore the scholarly contributions of Imam Bamakhrama, particularly his role in Shafi’i jurisprudence, by examining selected issues—ranging from purification to congregational prayer—where his views diverged from those of the renowned scholar Ibn Hajar.

The thesis is organized into two main chapters, preceded by an introduction and preface, and concluded with a summary of findings. The first chapter presents a biography of Bamakhrama and outlines his scholarly rank, while the second chapter focuses on specific jurisprudential issues in which he differed from Ibn Hajar, offering critical comparisons and weighing the strength of each position. The researcher adopted descriptive, analytical, and inductive methodologies in his study.

Among the key findings of the thesis is the demonstration of Bamakhrama’s profound legal understanding and intellectual stature. The study confirms his influential status in Shafi’i jurisprudence, where he earned the title “The Junior Al-Shafi’i” and was regarded as a primary reference in his region. While primarily classified as a knowledgeable adherent to traditional legal views, the study suggests that Bamakhrama occasionally reached the level of a preferred jurist (mujtahid murajjiḥ) through his depth of understanding and reasoning.

The committee recommended that greater focus be placed on the rich jurisprudential heritage of Hadhramout and the study of its prominent scholars. It encouraged the emulation of historical Islamic scholars such as Ibn Absin, Bahraq, and Baswedan and others, particularly in deepening knowledge of the religion and preserving classical scholarship.

The committee praised the thesis for its scholarly depth, methodological rigor, and the researcher’s precision in documentation and analysis. They described the thesis as a valuable addition to the field of Islamic jurisprudential studies and unanimously recommended awarding the researcher the Master’s degree in Jurisprudence and its Principles, with distinction.

At the conclusion of the session, the researcher expressed his sincere gratitude to Al-Ahgaff University and to the members of the defense committee for their guidance, support, and academic input throughout the preparation of his thesis.