Auditorium of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS: The Graduate School of the State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the 1637th Doctoral Promotion Exam in the Auditorium Room of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 with promovendus Isnaini.

Isnaini is a student of the doctoral study program in Islamic Studies with a concentration in Sharia. Isnaini wrote a dissertation entitled "The Renewal of Islamic Legal Thought 'Alī Jum'ah and Khaled M. Abou El Fadl in Fatwas on Human Rights"

This study explores the efforts to reform Islamic legal thought by two prominent contemporary scholars, 'Alī Jum'ah and Khaled M. Abou El Fadl. Isnaini in-depth analyzes the reforms in the field of uṣūl fiqh and fiqh, the concept of Human Rights (HAM) that they promote, and the implementation of the three in the human rights fatwas that they have issued. This qualitative research uses a library research method with an analytical descriptive approach, and enriched with sociological, philosophical, and historical reviews.

One of the key findings of Isnaini's research is that there has been a significant renewal in the fiqh and fiqh of the two figures. 'Alī Jum'ah, for example, offers the concept of renewing uṣūl fiqh in the form of al-shakal and al-maḍmūn, as well as the standard of fiqh renewal with five cosmologies. On the other hand, Khaled M. Abou El Fadl introduced the concept of reform of uṣūl fiqh through critical hermeneutics and carried moderate fiqh in his fiqh reform.

Not only that, Isnaini also succeeded in identifying the differences and similarities in the concept of human rights promoted by 'Alī Jum'ah and Khaled M. Abou El Fadl. 'Alī Jum'ah bases its concept of human rights on the universality of maqāshid shari'ah, freedom of religion, gender reinterpretation, freedom of opinion, freedom of natural management, the right to protection and security, equality in property and dignity, and Islamic brotherhood as the foundation of equality.

Meanwhile, Khaled M. Abou El Fadl highlighted the relationship between democracy and human rights by balancing God's sovereignty and human well-being. He also emphasized justice in Islam as the basis for the protection of human rights, the division of human rights and the rights of God, as well as Islam's promise in fulfilling human rights.

Interestingly, this study shows how 'Alī Jum'ah and Khaled M. Abou El Fadl have consistently implemented the renewal of uṣūl fiqh, the renewal of fiqh, and the concept of human rights that they have in various fatwas. The fatwas of 'Alī Jum'ah cover issues such as abortion, non-Muslim leadership in Muslim-majority countries, inheritance, women's leadership in prayer and politics, hijab, nikah mut'ah, and ikhtilath.

Similar but not the same, Khaled M. Abou El Fadl's fatwas also discuss the issues of abortion, inheritance, women's leadership in prayer and politics, hijab, ikhtilath, and interfaith marriage. These findings confirm that the thinking of these two scholars is not only limited to theory, but is manifested in practical guidelines that are relevant to contemporary challenges.

Isnaini successfully defended her dissertation under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Said Agil Husin Al Munawar, MA and Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, Ph.D, and was tested in front of a board of examiners consisting of Prof. Dr. JM Muslimin, MA, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Masykuri Abdillah, Prof. Dr. Asep Usman Ismail, M.Ag and Prof. Dr. Djawahir Hejazziey,  SH, MA, MH.

After paying attention to the writing of the dissertation, the comments of the examiner team and the answers of the promovendus, the examiner team determined that Isnaini graduated with the title of Very Satisfactory. Isnaini is the 1637th Doctor in the field of Islamic Studies, in the doctoral program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (JA)