Auditorium of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS - The Graduate School (SPs) of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the 2811th Thesis Exam at the Auditorium Room of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta on Monday, April 13, 2026 with candidate Mohammed Sayah S Aljohani.

Sayah merupakan mahasiswa program Magister Pengkajian Islam dengan Konsentrasi Syariah. Tesisnya berjudul "Ibn Rushd and the Principles of Shura and Tolerance: A Critical Research on the Shari'a Politics of the Book The Beginning of the Mujtahid and the End of the Frugal ".

This research critically dissects the principles of shura (deliberation) and tolerance in the political framework of sharia, focusing on Ibn Rushd's legendary masterpiece, Bidāyat al-Mujtahid wa Nihāyat al-Muqtaṣid.

The main focus of this research is to analyze how Ibn Rushd views the concept of tolerance for differences of opinion (ikhtilāf). Sayah explores the position of the syūrā not just as a political formality, but as an essential deliberative mechanism, as well as how legal rationality works systematically in the thought of the Andalusian philosopher and faqih.

The methodology used is qualitative with a very comprehensive descriptive analysis approach. Sayah combines in-depth text analysis, comparative studies between schools, and historical-philosophical reviews. This approach succeeded in revealing the epistemological foundations that became the root of Ibn Rushd's views on the diversity of thought in Islam.

One of the interesting theses carried out in this research is the argument that Ibn Rushd positioned ikhtilāf not as a seed of division or a source of conflict. On the contrary, differences of opinion are seen as an epistemological inevitability that actually triggers intellectual dynamics. For him, diversity of thought is a wealth that strengthens the building of Islamic law, not weakens it.

Through the lens of rationality and orientation to benefit (maslahah), Sayah shows Ibn Rushd's efforts in harmonizing the differences in fiqh. The researcher asserts that Ibn Rushd used the syūrā as a tool to reach a consensus that was not only legalistic, but also contextual and inclusive for all levels of society.

The findings of this research also map that differences of opinion arise due to the plurality of istinbāṭ (legal excavation) methods and the influence of different social conditions. Ibn Rushd offers a solution to manage these differences through dialogue based on rational argumentation and a deep understanding of the fundamental goals of the Shari'ah (maqāṣid al-shari'ah).

The most attention-grabbing thing in this trial was Sayah's courage in refuting the findings of several well-known orientalists and researchers. He refuted the views of Maribel Fierro (2021), Yasin Dutton (1994), Dominique Urvoy (1991), and Robert Brunschvig (1962) who claimed that Ibn Rushd tended to be biased and favored the Maliki school too much.

Through the textual evidence in Bidāyat al-Mujtahid, Sayah proves that Ibn Rushd actually made a comparison of schools to give birth to a new synthesis or opinion. He is not rigidly fixated on one sect, but moves dynamically to find the most rational legal truth that is relevant to the needs of the times.

Interestingly, this study shows that there is a synchronization of Ibn Rushd's thoughts with other great figures. Sayah assessed the philosopher's thought in line with the theory of maṣlaḥah Al-Ghazali, maqāṣid Al-Syatibi, the legal flexibility of Ibn Qayyim, and the social theory of syūrā Ibn Khaldun. It all boils down to one point: prioritizing deliberation and collective good.

The findings of this thesis make a major contribution to the contemporary academic and social world. Ibn Rushd's thought is reaffirmed as a very relevant theoretical framework to strengthen a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and participatory leadership in the midst of an increasingly plural and complex global society.

Sayah successfully defended his thesis under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Iik Arifin Mansurnoor, MA and Mohammad Adnan, LL.M, Ph.D, and was tested before a board of examiners consisting of Prof. Dr. Yusuf Rahman, MA; Prof. Dr. Iik Arifin Mansurnoor, MA; Mohammad Adnan, LL.M, Ph.D; Prof. Dr. JM Muslimin, MA; Dr. Imam Sujoko, MA.

After paying attention to the thesis writing, the comments of the examiner team and the candidate's answers, the examiner team determined that Aljohani graduated with the predicate of Cum Laude. Mohammed Sayah S Aljohani is the 2811th Master in the field of Islamic Studies, in the Master's program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (JA)