Most
scientific theories owe their origin to religions
Engineer Syed
Mahbub Alam
In several places, the Glorious Qur'an uses inquiring phrases such as 'do they
not think,' 'do they not ponder,' or 'reflect,' and asks the Qur'anic reader
'to enquire about certain statements to those who have knowledge and
expertise.' The approach of the Qur'an is to invite to reason, logic,
rationality and intelligence. The more one researches on different verses in
the Noble Qur'an, more deeper meaning one gets. Many books and articles have
been published as a result of heeding to the Qur'anic Ayat exhorting the
Qur'anic readers to think, reflect and ponder over natural phenomena both in
the heavens and the earth including the human beings.
The Qur'an inspires man to observe, experience and investigate. It acknowledges
sense, perception and experimental as rewarding. In short, the spirit of the
Qur'an, unlike some other religions, is scientific.
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and
whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily are portents
for a people who reflect." (45:13)
"And of His sign is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
difference of your languages and colours. Lo! Herein indeed are portents for
men of knowledge." (30:22)
That is why the Qur'an speaks of those who study nature and try to discover the
laws that govern it as "men of knowledge and insight". Furthermore,
the Noble Qur'an says: "Lo! In the heavens and the earth are portents for
believers" (45:3). In seeking knowledge, the believers are spurred on by
their faith (Iman) t.. They know that: The alternation of night and day and the
provision that Allah sent down from the sky and thereby quickened the earth after
her death, and the ordering of the winds, are portents for a people who have
sense (45:5). Our faith in Allah (SWT) does not follow from purely logical
arguments; but it springs from the direct experience of order, harmony, and
beauty in nature.
Before the time of the last Prophet of Islam, the ancient civilisations such as
Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Persian-all were polytheistic (shirk) in their
beliefs. That is why they worshipped natural phenomena such as the earth
(Goddess Gaiga now in the West), rivers, mountains, sun, moon or stars. Only
Islam was able to displace them from the pedestal of worship and created the
intellectual frame of mind, which is known as the scientific revolution.
The polytheists believed the river to possess divine attributes. They believed
the goddess of river caused the water to move and made it useful or harmful. In
Islam the river is a creation of Allah and not a creator and it was a servant
of Allah and not the Lord. Thus the Muslims found ways and means to exploit the
rivers on a large scale. The history tell us that there is no precedent in any
nation to the large-scale irrigation system developed by the Spanish Muslims.
The Spanish Muslims developed agriculture and created Departments of
Agriculture, Science and Irrigation in the universities. They studied trees and
carried out research on the properties of soil. The infertile lands were
converted into orchards and lush green fields, in today's terms-a 'green
revolution'. Before this, people treated rivers, springs and sea as gods. But
the Muslims brought the green revolution because of their monotheistic
thinking.
Polytheism (shirk) was prevalent until the 7th century. It was replaced with
monotheism (Tawhid) by the Islamic Revolution. This in turn opened the doors of
research and investigation by abolishing the practice of worshipping the
natural phenomena. Modern industrial progress owes its existence to the Arab
Muslims due to their Creed of Monotheism, which instilled them a mental and
practical revolution. Islam changed the basis of thinking and contributed to
the modern scientific revolution. Historians acknowledge that Islam changed the
face of the globe. Polytheism and superstition blocked the progress and
advancement of human development. Islam encouraged the investigation of nature
and destroyed the 'sanctity' of nature.
Islam also destroyed the concept of intermediaries between God and man, such as
the kings and priests who claimed as God's representatives on earth or even the
incarnations of God on earth. Polytheism (shirk) curbed freedom of thought.
Polytheism and superstition were the major obstacles to all kinds of progress.
Superstitious beliefs were an obstruction in the path of free enquiry. The
search for new truths and discovery of nature's secrets remained forbidden
areas for them for centuries. Before the Islamic revolution, the world had been
swept by superstitious belief and idolatry. The revolution based on Monotheism
of Islam put an almost complete end to polytheism (shirk). The Greeks excelled
in the fields of art and philosophy. Their contribution to the field of science
(except Archimedes' hydrostatics) was actually quite negligible. Plato's
teacher Socrates (may be construed as a Haneef) never worshipped the pagan gods
which were worshipped by the Athenians in Greece and instilled free enquiry
among the youth of Athens and for that he was forced to drink hemlock as a
punishment in 399 BC. Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier in 212 BC
failing to recognise him. The atmosphere for scientific progress did not exist
in ancient Greece. Similarly, the mighty Roman Empire never produced a single
scientist.
Islam with its foundation of monotheism created an atmosphere and environment
and stimulated scientific research that lead to the conquest of natural phenomena.
The modern age which is the age of science and industry, of freedom and
equality is the direct consequence of the Islamic revolution rooted in the
Qur'an.
From the sixth century to the 10th century Europe was in dark ages while the
Islamic civilisation attained the pinnacles of science and technology. After
the crusades the Europeans came in contact with the Islamic civilisation. They
went to Muslim universities in Spain, Sicily, Cairo, and Baghdad. They
translated the Arabic works into Latin for over two hundred years. The European
renaissance started in the 15th century and culminated in the emergence of the
modern industrial civilisation. Islamic revolution is responsible for the
emancipation of human thought.
During the Abbasid era, paper was being manufactured on a large scale and so
books could be produced without the dearth of paper. There were more than
400,000 books in the library of Cordova (Spain) in the tenth century, whereas
in Europe at that time, the library of Canterbury-the top of the list of the
Christian libraries-contained only 1800 books in the 13 the century.
In many countries scholars were born with creative minds who could think
independently of the their fellow citizens. But due to the unfavourable
atmosphere and hostile environment of times, their efforts could not be brought
to fruition. Their knowledge withered away before they could flower. On the
other hand, Islamic revolution produced favourable atmosphere, it unleashed a
mighty flood of knowledge which had been kept pent up for thousands of years by
the dam of polytheism (shirk) and superstition. For progress of Science and
Technology an atmosphere of free investigation is essential. One may be
surprised to know that even today there are some people and societies who
believe that the earth is flat. Even today some Hindus with MD and Ph.D,
degrees worship the Sun as god and believe that the lunar and solar eclipses
are caused when the snakes Rahu and Ketu swallow them. One thousand years ago
Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni explained how the solar and lunar eclipses are caused by
the shadows of moon and earth falling on the sun and moon respectively. The
Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses. The whole life is not enough to
recite the names of so many gods and goddesses.
Islam is the religion of truth and it is balanced. The Glorious Qur'an
denounces irrational religion as religion evidently false. Again and again the
Qur'an urges men to use their reason, to ponder and to reflect. The West thinks
there is conflict between religion and science; but for Muslims there is no
conflict between Islam and Science. According to Dr. George Sarton, former
Professor of History of Science at Harvard University, Islam is responsible for
the meteoric rise of sciences during the middle ages while Europeans lived in
the dark ages. This is because both the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (S.A.S)
extolled the Muslims to learn, to seek education and knowledge. In Islam there
is no distinction between secular education and religious education.
The Noble Qur'an is not a scientific treatise. It is a Book of guidance, a Book
of wisdom. However, there are more than 1200 verses (Ayath) which can be
interpreted in the light of modern science. The Qur'an gave a great impetus to
learning, particularly in the field of natural sciences. The Qur'an Majid may
be called the cause of modern scientific and material progress.
Mankind is at the threshold of the 21st century in terms of the common era.
This age is rightly called the information age with computers, electronic mail
and business and commerce and the Internet with WEB pages. To a section of
thinkers religion is alien to science. Science simply means a specialised
branch of knowledge. In Arabic it is called 'Ilm. A scientist in Arabic is
called an 'Alim. The West is wrong in separating Science from Religion. The
great universal Muslim scientists about thousand years ago were at the
forefront of knowledge particularly in the sciences and technology without ever
giving up their religion. In fact Islam in general and the Qur'an in particular
inspired the Muslim scientists to seek and advance knowledge. Hence they
achieved all these without any conflict with religion. Today many western
educated Muslims follow the western path of separation of religion from science.
On the other hand, those Muslims trained in Islamic theology have refrained
from modern sciences.
By moving away from the reading and in-depth study of the Qur'an Muslims have
lost the golden opportunity of many a scientific discovery and advancement of knowledge.
By moving away from their Scriptures the Western people made many scientific
discoveries and inventions. This is because of the suppression and obscurantism
practiced by the Church against the scientists and intellectuals in the past.
Even the Scriptures themselves were a hurdle to the cause of seeking the truth
through observation and experimentation as lucidly pointed by Dr. Maurice
Bucaille in his most popular book "The Bible, Qur'an and Science."
Science is not a divine Revelation but it provides a means for the welfare of
man and to better understanding the creation of Allah (SWT), the natural
phenomena and their purpose. In simplest terms, science means knowledge and
Islam exhorts its followers to relentlessly pursue knowledge. The Noble Qur'an,
Allah (SWT) ordained His servants to pray to Him thus:
"O Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (20:114)
It is reported that the Messenger(SM) of Allah (SWT), to have once said,
"Learning comprises treasure houses whose keys are queries." Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged the spirit of investigation and analysis of facts.
One of the most inspiring Ayats (verses) in the Qur'an is the following:
"And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and
on earth: behold, in that are signs indeed, for those who reflect."
(45:13)
To reflect is really the scientific spirit, which leads to understanding and
discoveries about Allah's (SWT) creation and natural phenomena. Allah (SWT)
guides the efforts of the scientists to meaningful purpose.
We are enjoying the fruits of modern science and technology every second, every
minute and every day. Examples: Electricity, microphone, AC., Automobiles,
Airplanes, Space Travel, Missile Shield or Star Wars, Computers, Cyber Space
and Internet, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, GPS-Global Position System,
Cellular Phones, Digital Media Entertainment-TV, DVD, MP3, Tele-Medicine and
Tele-Surgery, Artificial Organs: Abiocor, Organ Transplants-Hand transplant
surgery, stem cells in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimers, Spinal
Cord Injury, Diabetes, Heart tissue repairs, or any organ repair, etc. Simply
put modern science and technology is improving the quality and longevity of
life of a man or woman. One must be very cautious as Science and Technology is
a double-edged sword and without Islamic ethics it can destroy every human
being.
These fruit yielding trees were grown in Muslim lands such as Afghanistan,
Bukhara, Baghdad, Cairo, Cordova, Damascus, Delhi, Granada, Fez, Isfahan,
Qairwan, Seville, Sicily, Zeituna and other great cities throughout the Muslim
World. These trees were grown from a single seed. What is that seed and who
planted the seed and where was it planted? Without the advent of our Nabi Karim
Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) and the final establishment of Monotheism or Tawhid on
earth, none of what we take for granted in the modern world could possibly have
developed. Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) planted the seed of Tawhid (La Ilaaha
Illallah) in Hejaz in Arabia about 1400 years ago. La Ilaaha Illallah,
literally means "No God Except Allah. It means there is no deity worthy of
worship except Allah (SWT). Anyone can become a Muslim by reciting the Kalima
or Shahadah La Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasuulullah". The greatest
achievement of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is that he made every Muslim a
scientist by firmly instituting the concept Tawhid in body, soul and mind of
every Muslim. For Sufis recitation of "La Ilaha Illallah" is the
Tariqah (path) to the Haqiqah (Haqiqath) or the Ultimate Reality. Polytheism
and superstition looked upon things and creatures as deities, and encouraged
their worship. Before the advent of Islam as the complete Code of life
polytheism dominated the entire world. Because of the polytheistic view,
natural sciences had become forbidden territory and natural phenomena were
given sanctity. Tawhid destroyed Polytheism, superstition, nature worship or
worship of natural Phenomena. Tawhid created the intellectual frame of mind and
opened the doors of research and investigation by displacing nature from its
sacred pedestal and abolishing the practice of worshipping the natural
phenomena.
Holding the moon to be sacred was a major obstacle to even thinking of
conquering it. Sources as diverse as George Sarton, Bertrand Russell and Encyclopaedia
Britannica, say. "We reach the conclusion that without monotheism the
concepts of experimentation and scientific enquiry, not to mention modern
industrialization, would not exist." Historians acknowledge that Islam
changed the face of the globe. Polytheism and superstition blocked the progress
and advancement of human development.
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