By Ibrahim B Syed

Humankind 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 many thinkers religion is alien to science. Science simply means a specialized 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 Quran 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 studies of the Qur’an Muslims have lost the golden opportunity of many a scientific discovery and advancement of knowledge. 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 Quran, Allah (SWT) ordained His servants to pray to Him thus: "O Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (20: 114)

It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (SWT) peace be upon him 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 Ayah (verses) in the Quran 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 purposes. The more one investigates the more one knows about Allah (SWT) and His design of the universe. The emphasis is on thinking which leads the way to the cherishing care of Allah to establish all things in nature to service for the benefit of humankind. Allah (SWT) has given us the faculties and the intellectual genius for this purpose. The Muslim should never regard the study of natural sciences as forbidden territory. According to the Muslim traditions he who seeks knowledge is blessed, but the seeker who also attains success is twice blessed. Muslim intellectuals have proved this in the past and have already set the trend.

Hence, there is no conflict between science and Islam and many findings have been based on the Quranic inspirations from reading different Ayah (Verses). Even at the dawn of the 21st century of the CE, Muslims can derive inspiration from the in depth study of the Quran and make new scientific discoveries and push forward the frontiers of knowledge.

I humbly believe that the younger generation of Muslims will get inspiration from the revelations in the Quran and do investigate and contribute to the bank of knowledge.