Istanbul Knowledge Circle is a scholarly formation established with the aim of studying, teaching, and renewing Islamic sciences. In addition to Islamic sciences, the Circle aims to study and discuss contemporary disciplines—to the extent they are related to these sciences. In this context, interest is shown in various philosophical disciplines, social sciences, and contemporary linguistic studies in connection with sciences such as Kalam, Usul, Logic, Fiqh, Nahw, and Balagha.

The Circle strives to conduct authentic readings on the past and present of Islamic sciences, which are trying to find their way in the triangle of madrasas, theology faculties (ilahiyat), and Islamic studies, while also contemplating various roadmaps for their future. Additionally, it examines the existing accumulation of knowledge and contemporary problems with a perspective that transcends modern dualisms like tradition and modernity, attempting to converge with the thoughts and concerns of the great imams who compiled and renewed Islamic sciences.

Placing rational sciences at its core, the circle maintains a holistic hierarchy and comprehensiveness in learning and teaching. While striving to read and interpret significant texts authored in Islamic sciences, it endeavors to achieve a certain standard of quality and depth in its textual analyses. In this context, through its classes that began in 2017, it applies various fundamental methods—from phrase analysis to conceptual analysis, from discovering and constructing contexts to depicting issues, from identifying statements to determining points of contention, and from articulating and verifying evidence to examining and critiquing methods of deduction. Furthermore, it occasionally engages in comparisons with contemporary thought and attempts new conceptualizations. Rather than merely acquiring knowledge of issues verbatim, it places greater emphasis on developing mastery in the respective science and internalizing its existential purpose.