Islam and science: Quranic Perspective

Islam and science can’t be splitted. Islam places great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge and encourages Muslims to seek knowledge in all fields, including science. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of observation and reflection, and encourages Muslims to use their intellect and reason to understand the world around them.

Islamic scholars have made significant contributions to various fields of science, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and chemistry. Many scientific concepts that are now accepted as universal truths were first discovered by Muslim scientists.

The Qur’an also contains numerous references to scientific phenomena, such as the creation of the universe, the water cycle, and the development of the human embryo. These references are seen by many Muslims as evidence of the concordance between Islam and science.

Overall, Islam views science as a means to better understand and appreciate the wonders of creation, and as a way to serve humanity by improving our quality of life.

What is the relationship between Islam and science?

Islam places great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge and encourages Muslims to seek knowledge in all fields, including science. Islamic scholars have made significant contributions to various fields of science, and many scientific concepts, that are now accepted as universal truths, were first discovered by Muslim scientists. 

The Qur’an also contains numerous references to scientific phenomena, which are seen by many Muslims as evidence of the concordance between Islam and science. Overall, Islam views science as a means to better understand and appreciate the wonders of creation, and as a way to serve humanity by improving our quality of life.

How does Islam encourage the pursuit of knowledge and science?

Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and science in several ways:

1. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge: 

The first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad was “Read! In the name of your Lord, who created man from a clot of blood. Read! Your Lord is the Most Generous.

 ٱقۡرَأۡ” بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ

Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created.

 خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ

created humans from a clinging clot.

ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ” .

Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.

This verse highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and using it for the betterment of humanity.

2. Islamic tradition values education: 

Prophet Muhammad himself emphasized the importance of education and encouraged his followers to seek knowledge.

He said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim”

(Al-Tirmidhi).

This tradition has been carried throughout Islamic history, with many Muslims scholars dedicating their lives to the pursuit of knowledge.

3. Islam views science as a means to understand God’s creation: 

Muslims believe that the universe was created by God and that studying science can help us better understand His creation. The Qur’an contains numerous references to scientific phenomena, such as the water cycle, embryonic development, and the expansion of the universe, which are seen by many Muslims as evidence of the compatibility between Islam and science.

4. Islamic scholars have made significant contributions to various fields of science: 

Muslim scientists during the Islamic Golden Age made significant contributions to fields such as mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, and medicine. Many scientific concepts that are now accepted as universal truths were first discovered by Muslim scientists.

Overall, Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and science as a means to better understand God’s creation and serve humanity.

What are some scientific facts mentioned in the Quran?

Some scientific facts mentioned in the Quran include:

1. The water cycle: 

The Quran describes the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation of water in several verses .

-اللَّهُ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُ فِي السَّمَاء كَيْفَ يَشَاء وَيَجْعَلُهُ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى الْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلالِهِ فَإِذَا أَصَابَ بِهِ مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ.

It is Allah Who sends the winds, which then stir up ˹vapour, forming˺ clouds, which He then spreads out in the sky or piles up into masses as He wills, from which you see rain come forth. Then as soon as He causes it to fall on whoever He wills of His servants, they rejoice.

-وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَى بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا كَذَلِكَ النُّشُورُ.

And it is Allah Who sends the winds, which then stir up ˹vapour, forming˺ clouds, and then We drive them to a lifeless land, giving life to the earth after its death. Similar is the Resurrection.

-أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَسَلَكَهُ يَنَابِيعَ فِي الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ حُطَامًا إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَذِكْرَى لِأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ.

Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky—channeling it through streams in the earth—then produces with it crops of various colors, then they dry up and you see them wither, and then He reduces them to chaff? Surely this is a reminder for people of reason.

2. Embryonic development: 

The Quran describes the stages of human development in the womb in detail.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِنَ الْبَعْثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ مُضْغَةٍ مُخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَنُقِرُّ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَاءُ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ثُمَّ نُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُتَوَفَّى وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُرَدُّ إِلَى أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ لِكَيْلَا يَعْلَمَ مِنْ بَعْدِ عِلْمٍ شَيْئًا وَتَرَى الْأَرْضَ هَامِدَةً فَإِذَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنْبَتَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ زَوْجٍ بَهِيجٍ

“O humanity! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then ˹know that˺ We did create you1 from dust, then from a sperm-drop,2 then ˹developed you into˺ a clinging clot ˹of blood˺,3 then a lump of flesh4—fully formed or unformed5—in order to demonstrate ˹Our power˺ to you. ˹Then˺ We settle whatever ˹embryo˺ We will in the womb for an appointed term, then bring you forth as infants, so that you may reach your prime. Some of you ˹may˺ die ˹young˺, while others are left to reach the most feeble stage of life so that they may know nothing after having known much. And you see the earth lifeless, but as soon as We send down rain upon it, it begins to stir ˹to life˺ and swell, producing every type of pleasant plant.”

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنسَانَ مِن سُلالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ °

And indeed, We created humankind1 from an extract of clay,

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ

then placed each ˹human˺ as a sperm-drop1 in a secure place,.

ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ.

then We developed the drop into a clinging clot ˹of blood˺, then developed the clot into a lump ˹of flesh˺, then developed the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation.1 So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.

3. The expansion of the universe: 

The Quran mentions the concept of the universe expanding (.

وَالسَّمَاء بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ.

“We built the universe with ˹great˺ might, and We are certainly expanding ˹it˺”.

4. Mountains as stabilizers: 

The Quran describes mountains as “pegs” that stabilize the earth’s crust.

أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الأَرْضَ مِهَادًا°

Have We not smoothed out the earth ˹like a bed˺”

وَالْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا.

“and ˹made˺ the mountains as ˹its˺ pegs,”.

5. The importance of balance in nature: 

The Quran emphasizes the importance of balance in nature and describes how everything in the universe is interconnected.

ٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ بِحُسۡبَانٖ

“The sun and the moon ˹travel˺ with precision”.

 وَٱلنَّجۡمُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ يَسۡجُدَانِ 

The stars and the trees bow down ˹in submission˺”.

 وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلۡمِيزَانَ

“As for the sky, He raised it ˹high˺, and set the balance ˹of justice˺”.

How have Muslim scientists contributed to the world of science?

Muslim scientists have made significant contributions to the world of science throughout history. Some notable examples include:

1. Ibn al-Haytham:

 Also known as Alhazen, he was a physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who made important contributions to the fields of optics and vision.

2. Ibn Sina: 

Also known as Avicenna, he was a philosopher and physician who wrote extensively on medicine and is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine.

3. Al-Khwarizmi: 

He was a mathematician and astronomer who developed algebra and introduced the concept of the algorithm.

4. Al-Razi: 

He was a physician and chemist who made significant contributions to the fields of medicine and chemistry.

5. Ibn Rushd: 

Also known as Averroes, he was a philosopher and polymath who made important contributions to fields such as medicine, law, and theology.

These Muslim scientists, along with many others, helped to advance scientific knowledge, understanding in their respective fields and had a lasting impact on the world of science.

How does Islam reconcile faith and reason in the context of science?

Islam reconciles faith and reason in the context of science by recognizing that both are essential for a full understanding of the world. Muslims are encouraged to use reason and critical thinking in understanding the natural world, while also recognizing the importance of faith in understanding the deeper meaning and purpose behind creation.

Islamic scholars emphasize that science and faith are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary. They recognize that scientific discoveries can deepen our understanding of Allah’s creation, but also emphasize that there are some aspects of the world that cannot be fully understood through scientific inquiry alone.

Islam teaches that all knowledge ultimately comes from Allah, and encourages Muslims to approach scientific discoveries with humility and a recognition of the limits of human knowledge. By integrating faith and reason in the pursuit of knowledge. Muslims can gain a deeper appreciation for Allah’s power and wisdom, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the world around them.

What is the Islamic view on medical ethics?

The Islamic view on medical ethics is based on the principles of preserving life, preventing harm, and promoting well-being. Patients have the right to make decisions about their own medical care, and healthcare providers are obligated to respect their wishes and protect their privacy. 

Islamic medical ethics also prohibit practices that are harmful or detrimental to the patient’s health, such as euthanasia, abortion, and cloning. Overall, Islamic medical ethics promote a holistic approach to health care that takes into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the patient.

How does Islam view the use of technology?

Islam views the use of technology as a tool that can be used for the betterment of society and the world, but it should be used in a responsible and ethical manner. It should serve humanity and improve people’s lives, but not at the expense of their health, well-being, or religious values. 

Additionally, Islam encourages individuals to use technology in a way that is environmentally sustainable and does not harm the natural world. Ultimately, Islam views technology as a means to achieve progress and development, but only when it is used in accordance with ethical principles and values.

What is the role of scientific inquiry in Islamic education?

Scientific inquiry plays an important role in Islamic education. Islam encourages its followers to seek knowledge and to explore the world around them. The Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasize the importance of observation, experimentation, and critical thinking. Islamic education therefore places a strong emphasis on the study of science and mathematics.

Islamic scholars throughout history have made significant contributions to various fields of science, including astronomy, medicine, and physics. They believed that the study of science was not only a means of understanding the physical world, but also a way of deepening one’s faith and appreciation of the beauty and complexity of Allah’s creation.

Today, many Islamic educational institutions include courses in science and technology, and some even specialize in these fields. Islamic scholars continue to engage in scientific research and exploration, with the goal of advancing knowledge and improving the lives of people around the world.

How does Islam view the universe and its exploration?

Islam views the universe as a creation of Allah, the Almighty and All-Knowing. Muslims believe that the universe was created by Allah for a purpose, and that it is full of signs that point to His existence and greatness. The exploration of the universe is therefore seen as a way of discovering and appreciating Allah’s creation, and of deepening one’s faith and understanding of His power and wisdom.

Islam encourages its followers to study and explore the universe, and to use their knowledge to benefit humanity. The Quran states, “And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ  وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَاتٌ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for your benefit the day and the night, the sun and the moon. And the stars have been subjected by His command. Surely in this are signs for those who understand”.

وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
And ˹He subjected˺ for you whatever He has created on earth of varying colours.1 Surely in this is a sign for those who are mindful”.

وَهُوَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ الْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُواْ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُواْ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُواْ مِن فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“And He is the One Who has subjected the sea, so from it you may eat tender seafood and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships ploughing their way through it, so you may seek His bounty and give thanks ˹to Him˺”.

This verse highlights the importance of observation and reasoning in understanding the universe, and encourages Muslims to use their intellects to explore and discover its secrets.

Islamic education also emphasizes the ethical implications of scientific exploration, encouraging Muslims to use their knowledge for the betterment of society and to avoid any actions that may harm the environment or other living beings. Overall, Islam views the exploration of the universe as a means of deepening one’s faith, enriching human knowledge, and serving the greater good.