The Faculty of Islamic Studies was established in 2025 through the merger of the Faculties of “Shiʿa Studies,” “Qur’an and Hadith,” “History,” and “Studies of Muslim Nations.” This faculty offers one program entirely in English, and some of its programs are delivered online at the master’s level and in a research-oriented format at the doctoral level.

Department of Islamic History

The Department of Islamic History is one of the academic departments of the Faculty of Islamic Studies. It focuses on the study and analysis of historical events in the Islamic world from the emergence of Islam to the present. The courses offered in this department emphasize the historical analysis of political, social, and intellectual developments in Islamic societies. Among the subjects taught in this department are the history of the Umayyads, the history of the Abbasids, the history of Shiʿism, history in the Qur’an and Nahj al‑Balaghah, and the history of the Ottoman Empire.

Graduates of this department conduct research through scholarly articles and academic theses that can contribute significantly to facilitating interreligious dialogue and promoting mutual understanding among religious communities. As a result, the department trains researchers who, with a deep understanding of the rich and complex history of Islam, can serve as specialists in cultural, academic, and outreach institutions.

The programs offered in this department are:

Master’s programs: “Islamic History” and “History and Civilization of Muslim Nations”

PhD program: “Islamic History”

Department of Islamic Studies in Foreign Languages

The Department of Islamic Studies in Foreign Languages is one of the departments of the Faculty of Islamic Studies. This department offers a master’s program titled “Islamic Studies in English.” Its main focus is to train graduates with a deep understanding of Islam who are able to present and communicate Islamic teachings internationally through the English language. All courses in this program are conducted in English.

. Among the subjects taught in this program are “Islamic Studies in the West,” “Qur’anic and Hadith Studies,” “Comparative Theology,” “Methodology of Islamic Knowledge,” “Islamic Legal System,” “Philosophy,” and related topics.

Department of Qur’anic Sciences

The Department of Qur’anic Sciences is another academic department within the Faculty of Islamic Studies. The courses offered in its programs are mainly oriented toward theoretical studies in Qur’anic sciences. The primary goal of this department is to train researchers who, through a deep understanding of the Qur’an, are able to articulate and analyze sound scholarly perspectives based on the Qur’anic text and authentic narrations.

Among the subjects taught in this department are the principles and methods of Qur’anic interpretation, Qur’anic vocabulary and proper names, the history of hadith, the history of the Qur’an, the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, thematic interpretation (tafsir mawdu‘i), and critical studies of interpretive schools and methodologies.

The department offers two master’s programs, “Qur’anic Sciences” and “Tafsir and Qur’anic Sciences,” as well as a PhD program in “Qur’an and Hadith Studies.” The doctoral program is also offered in a research‑oriented format.

Department of Shiʿa Studies

The Department of Shiʿa Studies is one of the academic departments of the Faculty of Islamic Studies. The main focus of this department is the study of various branches within Shiʿism, including both existing and historical groups, through a theological and historical approach.

The main objective of the department is to develop a comprehensive and scholarly understanding of Shiʿism through academic research aimed at uncovering theological and historical truths, rather than pursuing purely promotional objectives. Nevertheless, graduates of this department also gain the ability to effectively present and explain Shiʿi teachings.

Among the subjects taught in this department are the concept and historical emergence of Shiʿism, Shiʿi teachings with a focus on addressing contemporary questions and critiques, Shiʿi theological schools, Shiʿism and Islamic civilization, Shiʿism and rationalism, the doctrine of Imamate and related theological and historical debates, and the history of Shiʿi theology.

Programs offered in this department include:

Bachelor’s program (online): “Shiʿa Studies”

Master’s programs: “Shiʿa Studies – Kalam” and “Shiʿa Studies – Sociology” (offered both in-person and online)

PhD programs: “Shiʿa Studies” and “Shiʿi Kalam – Imamate”

Department of the History and Branches of Shiʿism

The Department of the History and Branches of Shiʿism is another department within the Faculty of Islamic Studies. This department offers two programs titled “Branches of Shiʿism” and “History of Twelver Shiʿism” at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The master’s programs are offered both in-person and online, and the doctoral programs are also available in a research‑oriented format.

This department focuses on the study of different Shiʿi Branches and orientations, the historical development of Shiʿism, and its cultural and civilizational contributions. The aim is to introduce the intellectual and rational identity of Islam and Shiʿism at an academic level. The courses offered in this department emphasize theoretical and methodological studies in Shiʿa studies.

Among the subjects taught are analytical studies of the history of the Imams, branches emerging from Shiʿism, the political history of Shiʿa communities, Shiʿism and Islamic civilization, Shiʿism in Orientalist studies, the history of Zaydism, the history of Ismaʿilism, and the history of the Imami tradition.

Department of Political Science

The Department of Political Science is another academic department of the Faculty of Islamic Studies. At present, this department offers a master’s program in “Political Science.”

The courses offered in this department are mainly oriented toward political and legal studies. Given that many students are interested in political history, political science, and legal studies, the curriculum focuses on topics such as systems of governance, analysis of political activities and ideas, and constitutional frameworks related to political behavior.

The field also draws on the major subfields of political science, including comparative politics (including regional studies), international relations, political philosophy and thought, public administration, and public law.

Department of Studies of Muslim Nations

The Department of Studies of Muslim Nations is another department within the Faculty of Islamic Studies. This department focuses on examining the social and cultural conditions of Muslim countries and analyzing the political and social transformations of the Islamic world.

The research orientation of this department is designed to analyze the factors, roots, and capacities shaping developments in Muslim societies. The overall research trajectory of the department is structured to examine contemporary intellectual, political, and social developments—from the Safavid period onward—in order to clarify the theoretical foundations and historical background of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and to explore its broader future vision, namely the formation of an Islamic civilization.

Currently, the department offers two master’s programs titled “Political Studies of the Islamic World” and “Contemporary Socio‑Political Thought,” as well as a doctoral program titled “Muslim Social Knowledge and Thought.”