Academic Seminar Discusses Research Proposal on Usul Scholars' Use of a Single Evidence to Support Conflicting Positions

The College of Sharia and Law at the Islamic University of Minnesota Main Center, represented by the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, organized a scientific seminar via Zoom on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to discuss the research proposal submitted by doctoral researcher Omar Jallo, entitled "Usul Scholars’ Use of a Single Evidence to Support Conflicting Positions on an Usul Issue: An Analytical and Applied Foundational Study.” The seminar was attended by the discussion committee, faculty members, and several academics interested in the subject.

The discussion committee was chaired by Dr. Salah Faraj, Head of the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, with Dr. Jihan Al-Taher, Dr. Jihad Omran, and Dr. Ali Wanis serving as committee members. The committee reviewed the scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal, examining the clarity of its research problem and objectives, as well as its foundational and applied dimensions within the fields of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh.

The proposal addresses a nuanced issue in Usul al-Fiqh by examining how Usul scholars employ a single piece of evidence in issues where multiple opinions have emerged and scholarly positions appear to conflict. It seeks to establish a theoretical foundation for this phenomenon and analyze its examples and applications in the Usul al-Fiqh tradition, thereby contributing to deeper scholarly research and enriching specialized studies in the field.

The seminar featured an academic dialogue between the researcher and the committee members, addressing several issues related to the research topic and methodological structure of the proposal. The committee provided a number of scholarly observations and recommendations aimed at developing the proposal and strengthening its research framework, thereby supporting the achievement of its objectives and enhancing its academic quality.

The seminar forms part of the efforts of the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the Islamic University of Minnesota to support academic research, monitor the research projects of graduate students, and provide a stimulating scholarly environment that helps develop researchers’ capabilities and prepares them to produce rigorous academic studies across various Islamic and academic disciplines.