Science under Islam

 Science under Islam

Abdul Razzaq

Islam embraces all aspects of human knowledge. Islam has always played its universal role to prompt the communities to proceed towards progress. Unfortunately, societies have not always adhered to the essentials of this religion and, as a result, we are witnessing the huge chaos in the world today.

Some communities have adopted material sciences, at the expense of spiritual values. Others have tried to benefit from spiritual aspects while ignoring material welfare. Consequently, some nations have made tremendous advancements in modern technology but have ignorantly deprived themselves of spiritual benefits. The reverse is also as true and as tragic.

This social imbalance which the human beings have themselves created, is a main source of the current chaos in today's world community. Groups of materially prosperous communities have made their technology a weapon to wage wars of suppression against smaller communities. The spiritual values and moral standards taught by Islam call Muslims to campaign against such injustice. Today’s Muslims, however, neglecting their obligation to partake of the material benefits and resources of the world, endowed by the Almighty Allah, are unable to keep the Muslim Community strong and powerful to challenge such cases of injustice.

Islam is a complete way of life and embraces all that mankind requires for prosperity both in the world and in the Hereafter. Islam is capable of invoking Allah's hidden forces in aid of the suppressed communities. In order to aid the suppressed communities of today, the Muslim Community ought to abide by all the dictates of Islam: It ought to progress in all aspects of life. It is Allah's will that man should prosper by exploring His given resources, by adhering to his commands and by living in harmony. The Muslims of today are called upon to act accordingly.

History brings all evidence for us to be certain that those mujahidin and soldiers of Islam who spread Allah's rule over various parts of this earth, brought with them culture, art, administration, architecture and all the useful sciences for the benefit of the various communities. During the dark ages of the West, students from all over the world used to come to our Muslim scholars to learn Geography, Agriculture, Construction, Mathematics and Philosophy, among other things. When Muslims had all sciences in their hands, the world benefited from those sciences as well as from the best cultural values. In today's world, however, a group of tyrants and pharaohs are leading the West to destruction by manipulating and misusing the same sciences.

During the golden age of Muslim science, al-Biruni and al-Kindi explored theories in Physics. Al-Khwarazmi, al-Fazari and al-Nayrizi introduced Astronomy and telescopes. Umar Khayyam, al-Misri, al-Tusi and al-Battani contributed to the science of Mathematics. Jabir, lbn Sina, al-Razi and al-Zahrawi worked in the medical field. Al-Yaqubi alongside others gave momentum to the science of Geography. lbn Khaldun contributed to Sociology while Jalal al-Din Rumi, Sa’di of Shiraz, Hafez, Umar Khayyam and Farid ad-Din Attar left masterpieces in poetry and literature. By no means can one give a full account of all those pioneers who rendered such useful services to the world community in the name of the Almighty Allah The aim of the author is to remind fellow Muslims that we are committing a grave negligence about our heritage by ignoring modern sciences.

“All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds”. Ho y Qur’an.

This is the very first verse in the first surah (The Opening) of the Holy Qur‘an. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) immediately invites the attention of mankind to Allah and His universe. We ought to observe this universe with a deep sense of gratitude to our Lord and then proceed to explore Allah's given resources. The Almighty Allah wants us to add our sincere and honest efforts in improving the beautiful scene of the earth. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who is the unique observer of the world scene, has brought for us all that we need — for our whole life. We have to make the best of it. Unless we make the best of it, how will we be able to stop the present disorder which has been caused by the maniacs of society who now look bewildered. They do not know how to introduce reforms. They have done enough to tear the world society apart.

Islam instructs Muslims to be self-reliant. Our forefathers carried out the instructions and, as a result, were independent. They did not depend upon others for their welfare : Allah (S.W.T) and His Noble Prophet (ﷺ) sufficed for them. They obeyed Allah and all the hidden forest of nature were ordered to be at their service. If we are ever to invoke the same blessings of Allah, we have to re-assess our attitudes, thoughts and actions.

In the Holy Qur’an, the Almighty Allah instructs Daood (A.S.) to arrange his armour for defence in proper measures. Here is a lesson for us that we must learn all the ways and means for our defence against the enemy. We must proceed towards progress and perfection. The more knowledgeable we are, the more effectively we are able to move forward, the stronger we are and the easier we can defend the honour of Islam. We have to become self-sufficient.

The world today, led by the wrong classes of people, has been brought to the brink of conflagration. We Muslims must prepare ourselves to welcome a perfect revolution which the Mujahidin of Islam are about to accomplish.