FSH News, Malaysia – Lecturer of the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Asmawi, M.Ag., appeared as a presenter at the International Discourse Syariah and Law Series 2 organized by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) on Thursday, August 6, 2026. In the forum, Prof. Asmawi discussed the importance of revisiting issues of ushul fiqh as part of strengthening the methodology of contemporary Islamic law.

Carrying the theme “Relevance of Re-examining Ushul Fiqh Issues within the Framework of Contemporary Islamic Legal Methodology,” Prof. Asmawi highlighted the challenges faced by Islamic law in responding to increasingly complex and multidimensional societal developments.

He noted that social changes and technological advancements have created new issues requiring responsive Islamic legal approaches, including digital economy, bioethics, technological development, and state governance.

Prof. Asmawi emphasized that the development of Islamic legal methodology cannot be separated from the scholarly heritage built by earlier scholars. Renewal of ushul fiqh, he explained, is not intended to abandon Islamic scholarly traditions but to strengthen their relevance in addressing the ever-changing context of life. "Today, we face challenges unimaginable to earlier scholars. Therefore, the methodology of istinbath must continue to be safeguarded and renewed responsibly, scientifically, systematically, and accountably," he stated.

He further explained that this renewal process must remain grounded in scriptural authority (nash) and established scholarly principles. With such an approach, Islamic law is expected to provide answers to contemporary issues without losing its epistemological foundation.

The event was attended by leaders and academic communities from both institutions. From FSH UIN Jakarta, Vice Dean for Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Kamarusdiana, M.H., was present. Meanwhile, from USIM’s Faculty of Syariah and Law, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nisar Mohammad Ahmad, Deputy Dean for Student Affairs, officially opened the event.

In addition to faculty leaders, the event was joined by lecturers from USIM’s Faculty of Syariah and Law and dozens of students from UIN Jakarta and USIM. The meeting became a space for exchanging ideas between Indonesian and Malaysian academic communities, particularly in the development of sharia and legal studies.

The participation of FSH UIN Jakarta’s academic community in this forum further strengthened academic relations between UIN Jakarta and USIM, which have been established through various forms of collaboration. The forum is expected not only to serve as a scholarly discussion space but also to open opportunities for collaboration in research, publications, and other academic activities.

Prof. Asmawi’s participation in the International Discourse Syariah and Law Series 2 is part of FSH UIN Jakarta’s efforts to expand international academic networks and enhance lecturers’ contributions to the development of Islamic legal thought.

Through cross-country academic forums, FSH UIN Jakarta continues to encourage the emergence of new ideas and approaches in sharia and legal studies that can address contemporary challenges, remain rooted in Islamic scholarly traditions, and embody perspectives of justice and global awareness.