Sharjah Islamic Forum hosts seminar on instrumental sciences

The seminar welcomed a select group of scholars and academics specialising in Arabic language, logic, and research methodology. A series of scholarly lectures addressed fundamental topics related to the structure of the Arab-Islamic scientific methodology and the vital role that linguistic and logical sciences play in its consolidation and advancement.

The first day commenced with a lecture by Dr Turki Hassan Al-Qahtani, titled “Definition of instrumental sciences and their relevance to scholarly development”, in which he outlined the general framework of instrumental sciences such as grammar, morphology, and logic. He stressed that these fields serve as critical tools for interpreting religious texts and establishing both transmitted and rational disciplines. Dr Al-Qahtani pointed out that insufficient knowledge in these sciences can directly hinder a student’s capacity for sound academic achievement.

Professor Dr Lakhdar Lakhdaari gave a lecture titled “Arabic language sciences and their impact on acquiring Islamic knowledge”, in which he explored the symbiotic relationship between Arabic and Islamic sciences. He explained that a student’s proficiency in language tools enhances their ability to comprehend and derive meaning, and shared examples from Islamic heritage that showcased the power of linguistic precision in understanding Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis.

On the second day, Dr Ahmad Abdel Qader Al-Rifai presented a research paper titled “Applications of logic in Islamic studies”, illustrating how logic contributes to structuring thought and inference, equipping students with the skills to construct arguments and understand conceptual relationships. He emphasised the need to revive the disciplined application of logic in today’s academic circles.

Dr Nour Al-Din Chouaid concluded the seminar with a lecture titled “Research methodology, indexing, verification and documentation and their significance in academic pursuit”, focusing on the methodological tools essential for researchers working on manuscript verification and academic study preparation. He highlighted that verifying classical texts plays a vital role in reviving scholarly heritage and preserving knowledge sources.

H.E. Dr Majid Bushlaibi, Secretary-General of the Forum, remarked that the seminar reflects the Forum’s sustained commitment to embedding Arabic linguistic sciences and their tools within their legal and intellectual frameworks. He noted that the Forum is among the UAE’s leading cultural institutions dedicated to reviving authentic scholarly heritage and addressing contemporary challenges.

He added, “The Forum is devoted to diversifying its activities through scholarly seminars, training courses, and specialised exhibitions, to cultivate a generation of researchers and scholars capable of serving their language and faith through well-grounded academic approaches.”

Dr Bushlaibi concluded by reaffirming the Forum’s enduring role in supporting Arabic sciences over the decades, working to activate their presence in various fields of knowledge, in line with Sharjah’s vision of making language and culture fundamental pillars of the emirate’s social development.