Islamic Textual Studies and their Hermeneutics form an essential core component of Islamic theology and reflect a rich and complex intellectual history. The focus is on the temporal and spatial transformations of these disciplines, while at the same time critically scrutinising their constitutive principles. Particular attention is paid to primary source research and the creation and exegesis of written sources. This approach promotes a multi-perspective and in-depth examination of the central primary sources of Islam, namely the Qur'an and the Hadith.

While the Qur'an and hadiths are the primary sources of Islamic theology, the Prophet's biography (sīra) and the history of the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula are also indispensable components in the interpretation of these texts. These complementary disciplines provide important contextual information and historical background that is crucial for a precise and comprehensive interpretation of Islamic primary sources. The methodology guiding research in systematic theology and exegesis is significantly characterised by this multi-perspective analysis. The textual studies of the Qur'an and hadiths encompass the central areas of Qur'an research - in particular the genesis, hermeneutics and exegesis of the Qur'an - as well as hadith studies, the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula and the Prophet's biography.

Islamic Textual Studies and their Hermeneutics functions as a superordinate research area that encompasses a large number of sub-projects, qualification publications and the research work of the department's members. This research area is headed by Ass.-Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Kurt. This area brings together and structures the various academic endeavours and works that deal with the critical analysis and interpretation of Islamic primary sources - in particular the Qur'an and hadiths. The categorisation of these diverse projects under the umbrella term Islamic Textual Studies and their Hermeneutics enables a systematic and coherent positioning within Islamic theological textual studies, whereby the specific methodological approaches and thematic focuses of the individual works are taken into account and further developed. This integrative categorisation makes the comprehensive research approach of the University of Vienna in the field of Islamic theology visible, reflecting both the historical depth and the methodological diversity of the disciplines.