Mukalla – University Media

The Faculty of Graduate Studies at Al-Ahgaff University awarded the Master’s degree on Tuesday to researcher Mazen Mahfouz Saeed Al-Khulidi for his thesis titled:
“Is‘af al-Tullab: Commentary on Al-‘Ubab by Sheikh Abd al-Raouf al-Munawi (d. 1031 AH) – From the Beginning of the Book to the Section ‘The Residual Water of Every Pure Animal’.”

In his thesis, the researcher conducted a scholarly verification (tahqiq) of a portion of Is‘af al-Tullab by Al-Munawi. His work included attributing statements to their original authors through reference to primary sources—or to intermediary transmitters when direct sources were unavailable—writing Qur’anic verses in the Uthmani script and referencing their exact locations in the Holy Qur’an, authenticating Prophetic hadiths from reliable collections, providing biographical notes on notable figures mentioned in the manuscript, and explaining obscure vocabulary by consulting linguistic dictionaries and specialized lexicons.

The researcher employed descriptive and historical methodologies in studying the lives and scholarly contributions of the two scholars—Al- Muzjjid and Al-Munawi—and their respective eras. Additionally, he applied the inductive method in comparing manuscript versions, verifying textual consistency, and tracing attributions accurately.

For his critical edition, the researcher relied on two manuscript copies:

• The first from the Al-Azhar Library, marked as (A), which was used as the primary reference;
• The second from the Khured Library, marked as (B).

The thesis was divided into two main sections and a conclusion.

• The first section (Study) comprised two chapters:
• Chapter One: Ahmad bin Umar Al-Muzjjid and his book Al-‘Ubab al-Muheet bi-Mu‘zam Nusous al-Shafi‘i wal-Ashab.
• Chapter Two: Abd al-Raouf bin Taj al-‘Arifeen al-Munawi and his book Is‘af al-Tullab bi-Sharh al-‘Ubab.
• The second section presented the verified text, including the introduction of the commentator and a portion of the Book of Purification up to the subsection “The Residual Water of Every Pure Animal.”

In conclusion, the researcher recommended greater attention to the study and preservation of Islamic jurisprudential heritage, urging scholars and postgraduate students to bring valuable manuscripts out of obscurity through publication and critical verification.

The Thesis Defense Committee consisted of:

• Dr. Abdullah Saeed Al-Sumahi, External Examiner – University of Hadhramout
• Dr. Samir Mohammed Subai, Committee Chair and Internal Examiner – Al-Ahgaff University
• Dr. Ali Abdullah Hamid Al-Jilani, Thesis Supervisor

During the defense, the committee provided feedback and scholarly remarks on the thesis, commending the researcher for his dedication, methodological rigor, and valuable contribution to the field of Sharia and jurisprudential studies.