This department functions under the broader umbrella of the Department of Religious Education and serves as its fifth division. It offers advanced specialization in various branches of Islamic sciences to distinguished graduates of the Dars-e-Nizami program. Currently, two major specializations are conducted under this department:

1. Specialization in Fatwa (Takhassus fi al-Iftā’)

To enhance scholarly competence in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and to train scholars capable of providing sound and responsible religious guidance to the public, AAS Academy has established a one-year postgraduate program in Fatwa Studies.

Distinctive Features

• Special emphasis on the ethics and methodology of Fatwa writing, along with rigorous practical training.
• Preparation and analysis of 100 Fatwas, including 10 complete case studies (Takhreejāt).
• Extensive practical exercises in inheritance law (ʿIlm al-Farāʾiḍ).
• Systematic study of Qawāʿid Fiqhiyyah (Legal Maxims), Fiqh al-Buyūʿ (Jurisprudence of Trade), and Sharīʿah Standards.
• Detailed instruction and practice in Astronomy, especially in determining prayer timings, Qiblah direction, and moon sighting (Rūʾyat-e-Hilāl).
• Introduction to Modern Economics, Islamic Banking, and Takaful.
• Short courses throughout the year on contemporary issues and new challenges.
• Computer literacy coursescovering MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and CorelDRAW.
• Training in the use of digital librariessuch as Maktabah Shamilah, Jibreel, Khadim al-Haramayn, and Maktabah Maknoon.
• Excellent boarding and lodging facilitieswith a reasonable monthly stipend.

Admission Requirements

• Distinction or at least 75% marks in Dawrah-e-Hadith.
• Copies of previous academic transcripts and certificates.
• Photocopies of identification documents and two recent photographs.
• Successful performance in written and oral entrance examinationsand a final interview.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for Takhassus fi al-Iftā’ has been designed in line with the syllabi of leading institutions of Fatwa specialization in the country. It is divided into three components:

1. Reading (Muṭālaʿah)
2. Teaching (Tadrīs)
3. Practical Training (Tamrīn)
4. Reading:Includes selected portions from Radd al-Muḥtār(Introduction and chosen sections), Imdād al-Fatāwā (Selected Fatwas), and Aḥsan al-Fatāwā (Selected Fatwas).
   2. Teaching: Courses include Sharḥ ʿUqūd Rasmi al-Muftī, Uṣūl al-Iftāʾ wa Ādābuhu, Ādāb Fatwā-Navīsī, al-Sirājī fī al-Mīrāth, Islam and Modern Economics and Commerce, Foundations of Islamic Banking, al-Maʿāyīr al-Sharʿiyyah, Imdād al-Fatāwā (Vol. 3 – Selected Topics), al-Imlāʾ wa al-Tarqīm, Tafhīm al-Falakiyyāt, Irshād al-Ṭālib, al-Hidāyah (Vol. 3), al-Ashbāh wa al-Naẓāʾir, Sharḥ al-Majallah, and Fiqh al-Buyūʿ.
   3. Research and Practice: Students are required to complete ten case studies (Takhreejāt) in subjects such as Uṣūl al-Tafsīr, Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth, Fiqh, Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Qaḍāʾ, and Ijtihād wa Taqlīd. In addition, each student must prepare at least 100 Fatwas, of which 30 address contemporary or newly emerging issues.

Achievements

The Takhassus fi al-Iftā’ program was launched in 2016, and since then, 81 graduates have successfully completed the course. They are now serving in various parts of the country, providing valuable religious guidance to the Muslim community.

2. Dār al-Iftā’

The Dār al-Iftā’ of AAS Academy was formally inaugurated on 6th Rabiʿ al-Thānī 1434 AH (17th February 2013) by Hazrat Mufti ʿAbd al-Manān (Dāmat Barakātuhum al-ʿĀliyah), senior teacher of Hadith and deputy at Darul Uloom Karachi.

The first Fatwa was written by the respected head of Dār al-Iftā’, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Mushahid (Dāmat Barakātuhum). At present, the department is managed by eight qualified Muftis under his supervision. They dedicate their days and nights to issuing Fatwas with deep research, sincerity, and precision, providing continuous religious guidance to the public.

The Dār al-Iftā’ also operates an active WhatsApp group under the name “Dar al-Iftā’, AAS Academy”, through which questions from across the community are received and answered.

To date, approximately 7,000 verified Fatwas have been issued by the Dār al-Iftā’. All Fatwas are meticulously recorded, catalogued, and preserved in dedicated files and registers, and a systematic classification and digital archiving process is currently underway.