RISE Journal Pilot Issue 2 – INTRODUCTION: A Century of Intellectual Transformation
Welcome to the landmark RISE Journal Pilot Issue 2 (Winter 2026), a comprehensive exploration of the Qom Seminary’s centennial journey and its profound impact on contemporary Islamic thought. This issue serves as a definitive roadmap for understanding how one of the world’s most significant intellectual centers has evolved from a traditional bastion of learning into a dynamic engine for civilizational-system building.
The overarching theme of this issue is the structural and paradigmatic transformation of Islamic sciences. Across its pages, leading scholars analyze a century of progress, tracing the Ḥawza’s development from its re-establishment in 1921 to its current role as a global hub for philosophy, jurisprudence, and human sciences. The significance of this issue lies in its documentation of a critical shift: the transition from individual-centered studies to macro-level systems designed to govern complex modern social, economic, and political structures.
Readers will delve into the “blessed tree” of Qom’s scholarship, exploring the 80-volume Quranic exegesis Tafsir Tasnim, which harmonizes reason and revelation for the modern age. The issue further tackles the high-stakes project of Islamic Human Sciences, presenting it not merely as an academic exercise but as a necessary prerequisite for Islamic civilizational renewal and a response to the dominance of secular models. From the “Neo-Sadrian” philosophical movements to the future horizons of Shia Hadith studies, this issue captures the pulse of a tradition that is both deeply authentic and boldly innovative.
Whether you are a specialized researcher or a curious reader, this issue offers an unparalleled look at how Islamic rationality is being reconstructed to meet contemporary challenges, from artificial intelligence and crypto-fiqh to global human rights and environmental ethics. We invite you to explore this vibrant ecosystem of knowledge that continues to bridge the gap between sacred heritage and the complexities of the 21st century.
ARTICLE DIRECTORY: Winter 2026 Pilot Issue 2
A Prelude to Islamic Human Sciences
In this foundational essay, Mahdi ʿAbdullahi explores the historical sparked idea of reforming social disciplines to offer a more complete depiction of human nature. He argues that constructing an authentic Islamic Human Science requires a rigorous fourfold philosophical groundwork in epistemology, ontology, anthropology, and methodology to transition from Western secular paradigms to a system harmonious with Islamic doctrine.
Book Review — Islam Within: Exploring Its Spiritual Teachings
This review examines the work of Mohammad and Jalaleddin Fanaei Eshkevari, who argue that ‘irfan (Islamic mysticism) is not a marginal deviation but the very inward essence of Islam. The book seeks to reclaim spirituality as a rigorous discipline, proposing a perfect harmony between reason, revelation, and mystical intuition to answer the timeless existential questions of the modern world.
Contemporary Fiqh or Civilizational-System Fiqh: Structural Transformation of Fiqh in Foundational Principles and New Jurisprudential Opinions
Sayyid Farid Ghohestani details a massive paradigmatic shift in jurisprudence, moving from individual-centered rulings to “system-building” models capable of governing macro-scale social structures. Discover how modern institutions like banks, states, and corporations are being redefined as “new mukallafs” (legally responsible agents) within a specialized, interdisciplinary framework.
Qom Seminary Centennial: Interview with Dr. Moqimi Haji on 100 Years of the Hawza
In this expansive interview, the secretary of the Centennial Conference reflects on the historical significance and landmark achievements of the Qom Seminary since its re-establishment. The discussion unveils a massive 22-volume corpus documenting a century of knowledge production, spiritual training, and the seminary’s pivotal role in shaping modern Islamic civilization.
Book Review: Tafsīr-i Tasnīm
Dive into a review of Āyatullāh Jawādī Āmulī’s 80-volume masterpiece, a work described as a “precious repository of pristine Qurʾānic knowledge”. This article highlights the unique three-fold methodology that differentiates between exegesis, subtle allusions, and narrational discussions, providing a roadmap for connecting collective human life with divine revelation.
The Course of Islamic Philosophy Across the Last Century of the Qom Seminary (1920-2020)
Abu’l‑Hasan Ghaffari provides a masterful survey of the four distinct historical phases that saw Islamic philosophy rise from the margins to the center of seminary life. Learn how figures like ʿAllāma Ṭabāṭabāʾī and Imam Khomeini transformed Transcendent Philosophy into a sharp tool for critiquing Western materialism and defending religious rationality.
A Study of the Nature, Rationale, and Methodology of Islamic Human Sciences
Ayatullah Ali-Akbar Rashad presents a compelling case for why the human sciences are “rivals to the Sharia” and why their systematic reconstruction is essential for Islamic progress. This essay clarifies common misconceptions about the “Islamization of knowledge” while outlining a strategic path for building a new, independent anthropology grounded in human dignity and servitude.
The Future of Shia Hadith Studies in Qom Seminary
In this interview, Sayyid Mohammad Kazim Tabatabaʾi outlines the four pillars necessary to take Shīʿī hadith scholarship to the global stage. Explore the vision for a new “ecosystem” of heritage revival, including digital databases and specialized translation centers designed to overcome linguistic isolation and engage directly with international academic circles.
