Hermeneutics as an independent method has established its special position in the field of human thinking. Especially in the 20th century, this method provided its achievements and findings for other disciplines such as philosophy, theology, social sciences, and philosophy of religion, and created new discussions in those disciplines. Hermeneutics has two parts, a philosophical one and a methodological one. The first is based on philosophy, while the second one is based on authorship. Questions addressed in this paper are: What are the crucial differences between the two main schools of philosophical hermeneutics, i.e. Gadamer and Betti, who were pioneers in this field during the last century? Which hermeneutic attitude can be used in Islamic studies? Can there be a relationship between the current method of understanding texts in Islamic studies and hermeneutics?
By mentioning that it is possible to establish a relationship between religious texts and hermeneutics, the writers of this extensive article intend to demonstrate the differences amongst them (hermeneutics experts themselves)! They will also attempt to show that, because applying philosophical hermeneutics can lead not only to various readings of religion and belief in the effect of assumptions, but also to relativism, it is not proper for Islamic studies. Methodological hermeneutics, author-based methods, and text-based ways, however, by observing accepted basics and rules of methodological hermeneutics, are correct ways to interpret religious texts in Islamic studies.
