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• History of the Islamic World

  The History of the Islamic World is an important focus in the theological study of Islam. This area is dedicated to a comprehensive and differentiated study of the historical development of Islamic civilisation and its extensive interactions with other cultures and civilisations. The focus is on analysing the intercultural transfer of ideas, which examines the multi-layered processes of transfer, adaptation and further development of Islamic concepts in different cultural contexts. In addition, this area explores the political, social and cultural dynamics that have shaped Islamic civilisation from its beginnings to the modern era.

  Another key aspect is historical methodology, which examines the methodological approaches that Muslim scholars have developed over the centuries to interpret and present history and how these approaches have been received and further developed over the centuries. The significance of these historical images for the collective memory and identity formation of Muslim communities will be focussed on. A particularly important sub-area is the history of ideas of Islam, which is characterised by a close rootedness in classical teachings and a constant confrontation with the challenges of modernity. Here, the ongoing dialogue between the preservation of traditional beliefs and the need to adapt them to the changing conditions of a globalised world is examined. This dialogue is reflected in central disciplines such as jurisprudence (Fiqh), systematic theology (Kalām), philosophy (Falsafa) and mysticism (Taṣawwuf).
• Systematic Theology (Kalām)

  The theological discipline "Systematic Theology and Muslim Denominations in the Past and Present" is dedicated to the comprehensive analysis of the central doctrines of Islam and their theological differentiation from both a historical and contemporary perspective. The focus is on examining the kalām discourses that deal with the Sunni and Shiite theological principles of Islam. This reflection always takes place in dialog with other philosophical and religious worldviews in order to rationally explain the content of the faith. Questions such as secularism, atheism, human rights, the relationship between religion and politics and the role of religion in science and society are examined in depth. Here, kalām serves as a methodological framework to place Islamic theology in the context of current social challenges and to maintain its relevance in the modern world. This examination requires a methodological approach that takes into account both historical depth and contemporary social and philosophical challenges.

  An important focus is on researching the emergence and development of Muslim denominations and the theological reasons that led to the formation of different religious communities within Islam. This analysis offers valuable insights into the dynamic processes that have contributed to the differentiation of religious doctrines and which still characterise the diversity of religious life in Islam today. The research examines the historical processes that led to the establishment of this diversity and analyses how these denominations operate today and define their role in non-Islamic contexts as well as in the global Islamic community.
• Islamic Philosophy and Ethics

  The academic study of Islamic philosophy and ethics involves a comprehensive examination of the origins, development and contemporary significance of these central disciplines of Islamic intellectual history. This area examines the beginnings of Islamic philosophy, sheds light on the key figures who laid its foundations, and analyses the intellectual currents that shaped this tradition. The philosophical ideas that emerged from these early debates were further developed over the centuries and have influenced the Islamic world in many ways. It also examines how Islamic philosophy has been received and further developed in modern times and what contribution it can make to current philosophical and theological discourses. Both the revival of classical philosophical approaches and the development of new schools of thought that respond to the needs and questions of modern Islamic societies are considered.

  Islamic ethics is deeply rooted in the classical disciplines of the doctrine of norms (fiqh) and systematic theology (kalām), which define the moral and ethical principles of Islam. This area analyses traditional ethical theories, examines their application in different historical contexts and reflects on their significance for ethical thinking in Islam today.
• at-Taṣawwuf - Islamic Mysticism

  The theological study of Islamic Mysticism (Sufism) is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis of its origins, development and current significance within the Islamic world. At the centre of this are central questions that deal with the historical roots, the most important tendencies and schools as well as the sources and rituals of Islamic mysticism. These studies aim to develop a deeper understanding of Islamic mysticism as an integral part of the Islamic tradition and to shed light on its diverse forms of expression in a historical and modern context.

  A central aspect is the exploration of the origins and historical development of Islamic mysticism. It explores how Sufism emerged from the early spiritual practices of Islam and which philosophical and theological influences shaped its development. The analysis of the most important currents and schools of Sufism offers insights into the many ways in which Islamic mysticism has been practised and developed over the centuries. Particular attention is paid to the internal differentiations and the question of how these various currents responded to the spiritual needs of their time. It also focuses on the role of Islamic mysticism in the present day. It examines how Sufism presents itself today and what significance it has in the modern Islamic world. This involves questions of the relevance and adaptation of mystical traditions in a globalised world that is confronted with new spiritual and social challenges. The study of modern practices and the spread of Sufism in different regions of the world aims to understand how Islamic mysticism responds to the needs of today's Muslims and what role it plays in the renewal and development of Islamic spiritual life.
• Furū' al-Fiqh

  The theological sub-discipline furūʿ al-fiqh deals with the practical areas of application of Islamic jurisprudence and thus forms an essential part of the comprehensive system of Islamic law. In contrast to the research area usūl al-fiqh , which deals with the theoretical and methodological foundations of Islamic law, furūʿ al-fiqh focuses on the concrete interpretation and application of norms derived from these theoretical foundations. While usūl al-fiqh elaborates the principles according to which norms are derived, furūʿ al-fiqh is dedicated to the application of these principles to specific cases as documented in collections of legal opinions (fatāwā) and judicial decisions.

  The focus is on analysing the role of Islamic law in practice, particularly in multicultural and non-Islamic contexts. A central aspect is the analysis of how Islamic legal norms and principles are implemented and interpreted in European and Western countries. A particular focus here is on the question of how Islamic legal concepts in minority situations adapt and transform to the legal and social conditions of a modern, secular society. This research examines the dynamic interaction between Islamic norms and the legal systems of majority societies and shows how Muslims fulfil their religious duties in non-Islamic contexts.

  Particular importance is placed on the historical development of Islamic legal norms and philosophical discourses. It reflects on how traditional legal concepts are being reinterpreted today and which innovative approaches are being developed by Muslim scholars to respond to current ethical and legal issues.