Master’s Program in Islamic Studies and Law: Family Law Specialization

Introduction 

The family system is a fundamental and central institution in society and is considered the primary nucleus of other social institutions. The relationships among family members primarily stem from emotional and blood ties, and secondarily, each member plays specific roles that create relationships with corresponding rights and obligations, thereby establishing legal relationships within the family. Individuals nurtured within this irreplaceable system influence and play roles in societal and human units to the extent of their growth and development. Therefore, understanding and implementing family laws not only safeguard family order but also lay the groundwork for societal stability and progress.

On the other hand, addressing family-related issues and adjudicating on their rules and rights without considering the position and role of the family institution in religious legislation is misguided. Discussing individual and social rights without taking into account the role of the family in religious texts and sources is equally impractical. After months of academic effort and consultation with university and judicial experts, Imam Sadiq University developed the curriculum for the non-continuous Master’s program in Islamic Studies and Law with a specialization in Family Law in 2006. Based on experiences gained over recent years, the university has since revised the curriculum.

  1. Necessity and Importance of the Field 

The family is the holiest institution in Islam. Article 10 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran designates the family as the fundamental unit of society and the principal center for human growth and elevation. This underscores the critical need for a deep and precise understanding of family-related issues, their transformations, and the development of solutions to address new challenges while revisiting strategies that no longer meet contemporary family needs.

Furthermore, universities increasingly require experienced professionals familiar with family law and related sciences. There is also a pressing need to enhance the technical expertise of jurists working in judicial positions or advisory roles dealing with practical legal regulations. Expanding legal education in alignment with national needs and cultural development goals, as well as introducing Iran’s legal system to international forums, are additional factors highlighting the importance of teaching family law.

In light of the strategic directives issued by the Supreme Leader to Imam Sadiq University, strengthening women’s contributions to meet the needs of the system in the realm of women and family has received special attention. This strategy underscores the necessity of fields such as family law.

  1. Definition and Objectives of the Program 

The “Family Law” specialization at the Master’s level at Imam Sadiq University, is an interdisciplinary program rooted in Shiite jurisprudence and law. It includes courses in jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, civil family law, family criminal law, international family law, specialized litigation procedures for family disputes, and more. The outcomes of this program are utilized in educational, research, and practical domains, with the following objectives:

  • Training researchers and teaching staff in the field of family law studies.
  • Educating specialized judges in family law to facilitate expert handling of cases in judicial institutions.
  • Explaining, critiquing, and evaluating legal systems and national and international documents related to the family.
  • Monitoring and assessing the implications of developments in policymaking, legislation, and resolutions related to the family in the country.
  • Contributing to the dynamism and innovation of family jurisprudence and law in accordance with temporal and spatial requirements.
  • Assisting policymakers and legislators in formulating policies and laws in the family domain.

  • Cognitive Objectives:
  • Expanding and enhancing specialized knowledge and insight into jurisprudential and legal issues in the family domain.
  • Developing the ability to analyze and evaluate legal provisions in the field of family law.
  • Explaining, critiquing, and evaluating legal systems and national and international documents related to the family.
  • Identifying the impact of family law on social, cultural, and economic family issues.

  • Attitudinal Objectives: 
  • Inclination toward integrating jurisprudential and legal discussions on family matters.
  • Inclination toward integrating family law discussions with other legal specializations.
  • Inclination toward strengthening the foundations of the family in legal matters.
  • Inclination toward localizing family law discussions based on ethical principles and Islamic values through scientific methods.

  • Skill-Based Objectives:
  • Ability to provide legal services related to family matters.
  • Ability to propose actionable solutions to address family law issues using jurisprudential resources and comparative law.
  • Strengthening research methodologies in legal science and pursuing research in doctoral programs in family law to lay the groundwork for theory-building and developing knowledge-based strategies in the field of family law.
  • Ability to analyze problems and take effective measures to resolve complex legal issues in the family domain.

  1. Roles and Capabilities of Graduates 

  • Academic Prospects: Graduates of this program, in addition to pursuing further studies in other legal specializations, can also enroll in doctoral programs in Jurisprudence and Foundations of Law, Women’s Studies, or potentially a future doctoral program in “Family Law” within the same specialization.
  • Professional Prospects: Equipped with knowledge in jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, family law, and research methodology, and possessing the ability to present logical information through reasoned argumentation, graduates will be capable of engaging in research and teaching at universities and research institutions. They will also be able to address societal needs in legislative, executive, and judicial areas related to the family.

  1. Program Duration 

The non-continuous Master’s program in “Islamic Studies and Law, Family Law Specialization” lasts a minimum of six semesters. Each student is required to complete 32 core credits (including thesis credits), 14 complementary credits, and a maximum of 10 remedial credits (as determined by the academic department).


Type of Courses

Credits

    Compensatory 

maximum 8

    Core 

28

    Dissertation 

4

    Complementary

14

Total

46+maximum 8