PhD Dissertation on Jurisprudential Views of Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen on Hajj and Umrah

The Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the main center of the Islamic University of Minnesota held a PhD dissertation defense for researcher Faraj Manea Al-Rizqi, from the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh at the College of Sharia and Law. His dissertation was entitled: “Sheikh Mohammed bin Salih Al-Uthaymeen's Jurisprudential Positions on the Rites of Hajj and Umrah through His Book Al-Sharh Al-Mumti': A Comparative Study." The defense was held as part of the university’s efforts to support specialized studies in Islamic jurisprudence and promote comparative academic research.

The dissertation defense was held on the evening of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, via the Zoom platform, with members of the examination committee and a number of researchers and interested attendees present. The dissertation examined and analyzed Sheikh Mohammed bin Salih Al-Uthaymeen's major jurisprudential positions on issues related to Hajj and Umrah, as presented in his book Al-Sharh Al-Mumti', comparing them with the views and evidence of other Islamic jurists. The study highlights the scholarly and jurisprudential methodology adopted by Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen in analyzing issues and determining the stronger opinions.

The examination committee consisted of Professor Dr. Salah Farraj, Head of the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, who served as Chair; Professor Dr. Murad Awda, the dissertation supervisor; Professor Dr. Ali Abdullah, internal examiner; and Dr. Ayman Al-Oudat, external examiner.

During the defense, the researcher presented the main themes and methodology of his dissertation. The committee engaged him in a discussion of several issues and topics addressed in the study and provided a number of academic comments and recommendations that contributed to enriching the research and strengthening its academic value.

The dissertation defense is part of a series of academic defenses organized by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the Islamic University of Minnesota. These efforts reflect the university’s commitment to supporting specialized academic research, encouraging comparative studies in Islamic jurisprudence, and preparing qualified researchers equipped with the necessary tools of scholarly research. Such efforts contribute to advancing Islamic knowledge and enriching the field of jurisprudential studies with rigorous academic research.