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• Quran and exegesis (ʿulūm al-Qurʾān and Tafsīr)

  The theological study in the field of Qur'an and exegesis (ʿulūm al-Qurʾān and Tafsīr) is a central component of Islamic textual studies and its hermeneutics. This area is dedicated to the comprehensive analysis of the origin, tradition and canonisation of the Qur'an. The academic study concentrates on the genesis of the text as well as on the oral and written traditions that have shaped it. A special focus is placed on the historical contextualisation of the early Islamic period, which makes it possible to analyse the Qur'an in the light of historical-critical and textual-scientific methods. In addition, Quran studies is characterised by systematic research into the structure, content and stylistic features of the Quran. The Qur'an is regarded as a literary and linguistic work whose complex structures of meaning and rhetorical techniques are at the centre of scholarly analysis. Quranic studies endeavour to investigate the inner coherence of the text, its thematic developments and its linguistic peculiarities.

  The significance of the linguistic and literary traditions of the pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula is also analysed in order to understand the stylistic and rhetorical peculiarities of the Qur'an in their full scope. An integral part of Quran research is manuscript research, which deals with the critical analysis of Quran manuscripts. This field of research allows the history of the tradition of the text to be traced precisely and the various stages of the canonisation of the Qur'an to be examined. Textual criticism, supported by the examination of manuscripts, is essential for understanding the textual variations and for authenticating the Qur'anic tradition.

  The detailed analysis of Qur'anic research creates the basis for the transition to Qur'anic exegesis (tafsīr), which is dedicated to the systematic interpretation of the Qur'an. The historical development of exegesis, ranging from the earliest interpretations to modern approaches, is intensively researched in order to shed light on the diversity of the tafsīr tradition and its influence on Islamic theology. Particular attention is given to the diverse hermeneutical principles that guide the interpretation of the Qur'an. These principles range from traditional methodological approaches to modern hermeneutical theories that examine the relationship between text, context and interpretation.

  Another in-depth focus is on the macro-environment of the Qur'an and the isrāʾīliyyāt traditions, which includes a comprehensive analysis of the cultural, religious and social contexts in which the Qur'an emerged. Quranic exegetes use the isrāʾīliyyāt traditions to explain and interpret specific Quranic passages, drawing on the rich heritage of Jewish and Christian sources. This practice reflects the close interconnection and mutual influence between religious traditions that has been cultivated in Islamic scholarship over the centuries. Research into these inter- and environmental texts makes it possible to view the Qur'an not just as an isolated religious document, but as a text that is interwoven in a dense network of religious and cultural influences. The interdisciplinary co-operation with Christian and Jewish Studies as well as Religious Studies at the University of Vienna promotes this comprehensive analysis and contributes to developing a deeper understanding of the Qur'anic message and its embedding in the cultural and religious environment of late antiquity.

  Another theological aspect of Qur'anic research is gender studies, in which the role of the Qur'an in relation to gender, feminism and gender justice is analysed. Both traditional and modern, feminist-inspired approaches to interpretation are analysed in order to gain a deeper understanding of gender roles and relationships as they are presented in the Qur'an. This approach also includes analysing diversity and plurality in the context of the Qur'an. The focus is on understanding how the Qur'an addresses the treatment of different religious, ethnic and cultural groups and what lessons can be learned from this for interreligious dialogue and coexistence in pluralistic societies. The aim is to analyse the principles of diversity and plurality in the light of Quranic revelation and to examine their contribution to the promotion of harmonious and respectful coexistence in multicultural societies.
• Hadith sciences (ʿulūm al-ḥadīṯ)

  The hadith sciences (ʿulūm al-ḥadīṯ) represent a central discipline of Islamic humanities and are dedicated to the collection, authentication and systematic interpretation of the traditional statements, actions and characteristics of the Prophet Muḥammad. Alongside the Quran, these hadiths form the most important textual basis for the Islamic way of life and religious practice and are essential for understanding the prophetic tradition (Sunna), which plays a crucial role in the normative and ethical foundations of Islam.

  Special attention is paid to the theological examination of the hadith traditions. Here the hadith is viewed as a testimony of faith and as a source of prophetic proclamation in Islam. This theological approach differs from a purely historical approach in that the history of the hadith's transmission is interpreted in the light of its religious significance. Another important aspect of hadith scholarship is the examination of the historicity and contemporary interpretation of the prophetic traditions. While classical hadith studies focussed on ensuring authenticity, modern research is increasingly dedicated to the question of how these traditions can be interpreted and applied in today's context. Both historical criticism and hermeneutic approaches play a role here, with the aim of discussing the relevance of hadith literature for contemporary ethical and legal discourses.

  Hadith studies are closely linked to other disciplines of Islamic theology, in particular Quranic exegesis (tafsīr) and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The hadiths serve as an important supplement to the Quranic revelation and are an authoritative source for the Islamic doctrine of norms and jurisprudence.
• Genesis of Islam and Sīra

  The historical contextualisation of the Arabian Peninsula before and during the time of the Prophet Muḥammad is an essential part of Islamic textual studies. Research into the social, political and religious conditions of the region before Islam, known as ǧāhiliyya, offers crucial insights into the conditions under which Islam emerged and the development of its central texts. The reconstruction of this pre-Islamic period is considered an important desideratum in research, as it provides deeper insights into the cultural and social transformations that accompanied the growth of Islam. Thanks to new archaeological finds and current research findings, opportunities are currently opening up to understand and reassess the era of ǧāhiliyya more comprehensively. These findings are essential in order to fully appreciate the significance of Islamic revelation in its historical context and to understand the dynamic processes that shaped Arab society and its religious beliefs before and during the period of Islamic revelation,

  The biography of the Prophet (sīra) is one of the most important disciplines of Islamic humanities and comprises the detailed depiction of the life of the Prophet Muḥammad. It sheds light on his actions and statements, which are of normative importance in Islamic theology. The sīra also provides contextual background information through the occasions of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), which explain many Qur'anic verses. Another central aspect of the sīra is the depiction of the Prophet's relationships with other religious communities, especially Jews and Christians. These interactions are crucial for understanding the pluralistic dimensions of the early Islamic community and its theological developments.
• Kalām and Aqīda

  Kalām as a discipline of Islamic theology is intensively concerned with the rational permeation of the contents of faith. At the centre of this research is the question of how beliefs such as monotheism (tawhīd), divine predestination (qadar), prophecy (nubuwwa), eschatology and resurrection can be explained and reflected upon in conjunction with rational considerations.

  A central area is the multi-perspective consideration of the foundations of faith of the internal Muslim denominations. The examination of these diverse schools of thought helps to develop a more comprehensive picture of Islamic doctrine and to reflect on its application in different historical and cultural contexts. The theological study of Aqīda and Kalām thus combines an in-depth analysis of the Islamic foundations of faith with rational theological reflection.
• Usūl al-fiqh

  The research area of uṣūl al-fiqh is dedicated to the Islamic legal tradition of Muslim scholarship and deals in particular with the theoretical and methodological foundations of the derivation of norms in Islamic law. This area examines the emergence and development of Islamic law independently of legal school-based approaches and places it in its historical and contemporary context. Special emphasis is placed on analysing questions of legal theory, legal methodology and legal philosophy, which are deeply rooted in the tradition of uṣūl al-fiqh. This theological discipline deals with the questions of which sources are used to derive norms, which norms can be derived from them, how these norms are methodically analysed and who has the authority to derive them. It becomes clear that the uṣūl al-fiqh is not only relevant in the classical framework, but also remains important in relation to contemporary challenges in Islamic law. The question of how Islamic norms can be applied in modern legal systems is at the centre of this research, without neglecting classical methods.

  The exploration of intradisciplinary references shows the close connection between the uṣūl tradition and other areas of Islamic scholarship, such as Qur'anic and hadith studies. Questions of legal methodology are deeply rooted in theological reflection on revelation and its interpretation, which emphasises the need for an interdisciplinary approach. In this context, Islamic law is not viewed in isolation, but is anchored in a complex network of theological, legal and social aspects.