Master in Quranic Exegesis and Hadith

Al Qasimiya University in Sharjah offers a Master in Quranic Exegesis and Hadith, a master's degree taught in English. This field of Islamic studies focuses on the interpretation of the Quran, known as tafsir, and the study of Hadith, the recorded sayings and actions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. Students in this discipline examine classical and contemporary methods of Quranic interpretation, the historical context in which revelations occurred, and the linguistic and rhetorical structures of Quranic Arabic. Study of Hadith typically involves the science of isnad, or chains of transmission, methods for authenticating reports, and the classification of Hadith by reliability and subject matter. Coursework generally covers the biographies of major scholars and transmitters, comparative approaches to exegesis across different schools of thought, and the application of Quranic and Hadith scholarship to questions of jurisprudence, ethics, and contemporary Muslim life. Students also develop skills in textual analysis, source criticism, and research methodology specific to Islamic religious texts. The discipline requires close engagement with primary sources in Arabic alongside secondary scholarship, and graduates build expertise applicable to religious education, Islamic scholarship, preaching, academic research, and advisory roles within religious institutions. Many students go on to teach at universities or religious institutes, contribute to Islamic research centers, or serve as scholars and consultants on matters of Quranic and Hadith interpretation. Based in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, the program is positioned within a region with an established tradition of Islamic scholarship, offering students access to a course of study grounded in classical methodology while being delivered in English.