Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates and Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, met today with trainees participating in a course entitled “Preparing the Contemporary Preacher and Dismantling Extremist Thought.” The course is organized by the organization at its headquarters, in cooperation with Al-Azhar International Academy for the Training of Imams, Preachers, and Fatwa Researchers, and is dedicated to imams and preachers from Pakistan.
In his lecture entitled “Al-Azhar’s Approach to Dealing with Jurisprudential Disagreement,” Prof. Shouman emphasized that al-Azhar’s approach to Islamic jurisprudence is fundamentally grounded in pluralism. He explained that al-Azhar has opened its doors to the study of the jurisprudential schools that the Ummah has historically accepted, making its halls and scholarly forums a space for the study of all such schools without excluding any recognized doctrine. He further stressed that true adherence to a school of thought is inclusive and capable of accommodating all.
Moreover, he pointed out that the foundations of the Azhari approach are rooted in engaging with the religious texts through a comprehensive understanding, following the path of the noble Companions. He explained that the difference of opinion among human beings lies at the heart of mankind’s role as vicegerent on earth, as it entails intellectual integrity, justice, and a sincere pursuit of the truth.
Likewise, His Eminence cited the divine Sunnah established by Allah in the Holy Quran, saying, “The people were one nation; then God sent forth the Prophets, good tidings to bear and warning…” [Q. 2:213]
He also explained during the lecture the distinction between “definitive” and “presumptive” texts and the proper methods of understanding them through linguistic hermeneutics, citing relevant evidence and clarifying that juristic disagreement is grounded in sound scholarly reasoning. Such disagreement, he noted, is a “commendable disagreement” that constitutes a genuine mercy for the Ummah, as it brings about ease and alleviation.
Notably, Prof. Shouman concluded his lecture by emphasizing that al-Azhar opens its doors to all people across the Islamic world, enabling them to benefit from its knowledge in ways that serve both themselves and their countries.
