QF lecture focuses on book that stands at center of Islamic culture

The approach taken by a scholar to reach the widest possible audience through a book that is central to Islamic culture has been outlined at Qatar Foundation.

At a public lecture that falls under the Great Books of Islamic Civilization series – organized by the Education City Mosque in partnership with Qatar Foundation member Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) - Dr. Louay Safi discussed how Shafi’i, an Islamic scholar who wrote the renowned book the Risala, aimed to connect with students and members of wider society to ensure his work had the widest benefit.

In his lecture at the Minaretein building (Education City Mosque), titled ‘Shafi’i’s Risala’, Dr. Safi, who is a Professor of Political Science at HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies, explained how Shafi’i used a flexible, smooth and clear writing methodology, and focused on providing brief and direct information that explained his statements and arguments to the reader in line with the teachings of Islam.

He also highlighted the most prominent phases in Shafi’i’s life, as well how he promoted the Shafi’i School of Islamic thought, and explained the regulations of Sharia provisions for each Hadith in each age.

“Scientists consider that the Risala is a composition of two books: the old Risala, and the new Risala,” said Dr. Safi. “The old Risala emerged as a response to the request of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Mahdi, who wrote to Shafi calling for a book that outlines the Qur’anic meanings, whereas the new Risala is the revised version.”

During the lecture, Dr. Safi also illustrated that the substance of the Risala, and the arguments it contains, indicate that the author of the book carefully focused on organizing his thoughts and writings on every issue of Islam that his work addressed.

The Great Books of Islamic Civilization lecture series aims to enhance awareness among Muslims and non-Muslims awareness about the Islamic world, its greatest achievements throughout history, and its development of the concept of intellectual debate.

These lectures are delivered by a selection of faculty doctors and lecturers from the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, each addressing a prominent book in the Islamic culture. They will be held every Wednesday until December 11, 2019, from 4– 5:30pm, and more information is available at Great Books of Islamic Civilization