Sharī‘ah Academy organized a two-day course titled “Shari‘ah and Contemporary Challenges” on May 19–20, 2025. The course was designed to engage university students in critical discussions on modern intellectual and societal issues through the lens of Islamic teachings.
In the opening session, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director General of the Shari‘ah Academy, warmly welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the event. He informed the audience that the Academy has planned a series of programs for university students, and this event marks the beginning of that initiative. Dr. Hafiz Ghufran, Student Advisor at IIUI urged participants in his talk to remain firmly connected to the teachings of Shari‘ah and strengthen their relationship with the Creator. He noted that such spiritual grounding is vital for navigating the complex intellectual challenges of the modern world.
Dr. Zahid Siddique Mughal, Professor at NUST and an expert in Islamic theology, provided a comprehensive analysis of the methods used by classical Muslim theologians to counter philosophical arguments posed by thinkers like Aristotle and Avicenna. He argued that even modern philosophers such as Immanuel Kant have advanced similar forms of sophistry. Dr. Mughal stressed the importance of using logic and reason to effectively respond to the doubts raised by skeptics and atheists.
Dr. Kamal Hassan delivered a lecture titled “Reason and Religion: From Faith to Science,” in which he explored how prominent Muslim philosophers, particularly Imam Al-Ghazali, rationally addressed philosophical doubts during the medieval period. Dr. Hassan highlighted how Ghazali’s seminal work “Al-Iqtisad fi al-I‘tiqad” significantly influenced Western thinkers, including Thomas Aquinas.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram also engaged in a question-and-answer session with participants, offering rational and logical approaches to counter the rise of atheism and other ideological challenges in a rapidly globalizing world. He emphasized the importance of encouraging youth to ask questions rather than suppressing their curiosity. “While science provides answers to many practical problems, it often falls short in addressing the aesthetic and spiritual needs of humanity,” he said, adding that only divine guidance can fully respond to these dimensions.
Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem, renowned columnist, prolific writer, and Chairman of the National Rahmatul-lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (NRKNA), discussed the interplay between tradition and modernity. He emphasized the necessity of reconciling these two paradigms and cautioned that the philosophical underpinnings of postmodernism present even greater challenges.
While addressing gender-based Islamic rulings, Hafiz Ahmad Waqas responded to common misconceptions found in feminist discourse. He pointed out that Islamic distinctions regarding women—such as in matters of inheritance and testimony—are often misunderstood as discrimination. In contrast, he explained that Islam grants women unique status and multiple concessions rooted in wisdom and justice.
The program concluded with an open forum in which participants engaged with a panel comprising Prof Dr. Muhammad Akram, Dr. Qaisar Shahzad, Dr. Taimia Sabeeha, and Hafiz Ahmad Waqas. The experts answered a range of questions related to contemporary issues and Shari‘ah.
Upon successful completion of the course, certificates were awarded to the participants.
The course was coordinated by Mr. Atiq Ahmad, Research Investigator, and was attended by 40 students.