The Islamic Studies Research Team
Islamic Law and Qur'anic Studies
WE EXPLORE CONTEMPORARY CHANGES IN ISLAMIC LAW - IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
The Department of Middle Eastern Studies is engaged in the study of the contemporary transformation of Islamic law. This encompasses both an examination of the prevailing theoretical perspectives on primary sources and an investigation of the practical applications of Islamic law, with a particular focus on Islamic medical ethics.
Our research is primarily concerned with the original sources of Islamic teachings, with a particular emphasis on the historical and linguistic analysis of the Qur'an and its oral forms. Our research is centred on the examination of diverse recitation styles, which enables us to challenge the conventional notion of the study of the Qur'an as a mere historical and literary monument. Conversely, they indicate the potential for new interpretative avenues that may facilitate a more profound comprehension of numerous tenets within Islamic teachings.
Our other research interest in the field of Islamic law is the examination of contemporary issues pertaining to medical ethics. In collaboration with colleagues from foreign universities, we undertake a detailed analysis of specific ethical dilemmas related to the development of reproductive technologies, transplantation, brain death, genetic engineering and other medical technologies. These studies are particularly noteworthy in Iran, given the country's longstanding adherence to ethical standards rooted in Islamic practice. Such research enables us to discern the responses of the scholarly community to the increasing prevalence of medical procedures that may deviate from the conventional Islamic regulatory and ethical framework.
This research was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic - Islamic Bioethics in Contemporary Iran (project number: 19-13824S), principal investigator Veronika Sobotková