The Spirit of Compassion and Desire

The Qur'an categorically mandates intellectual engagement and research (curiosity and investigation) as an essential responsibility for every Muslim. It is incumbent upon every intellectually discerning individual to comprehend the laws governing the cosmos, as these constitute divine signs from Allah. Contemplating these signs leads the thoughtful believer to affirm the Oneness of Allah. The following prophetic sayings emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge:

1.      "Seek wisdom wherever it may be found."

2.      "Wisdom is the lost possession of the believer; wherever he finds it, he should take it."

3.      "An hour of reflection is superior to sixty years of worship."

4.      "The pursuit of knowledge is the most exalted form of worship."

5.      "Knowledge is the lifeblood of Islam, and its very foundation."

6.      "It is obligatory for every Muslim, male and female, to seek knowledge, even if it requires traveling to China. Those who seek the benefits of this world should acquire knowledge, and those seeking the rewards of the Hereafter should also acquire knowledge."

The guidance of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) in promoting knowledge profoundly shaped his followers. They pursued knowledge with unwavering enthusiasm, commitment, and a sense of purpose, considering it integral to both their spiritual and worldly lives. The merit of acquiring knowledge rendered them leaders in various domains, marking their civilization as a beacon of intellectual advancement. Muslims did not base their scientific endeavors on mere conjecture or assumptions but grounded them in empirical observation, experimentation, and rational analysis, thus making significant contributions to diverse fields of inquiry. During this period, Muslims produced some of the most celebrated scholars and scientists in history, including Jabir ibn Hayyan, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Al-Khwarizmi, Omar Khayyam, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Abu al-Hasan, Ibn Muhammad Qazwini, Al-Razi, Al-Biruni, Ibn Khaldun, and Imam Ghazali, among others. Their rigorous work and groundbreaking research led to extraordinary advancements in scientific knowledge and intellectual thought. This intellectual flourishing occurred at a time when Europe was still largely entrenched in superstitions and ignorance. It was these Muslim scholars who pioneered numerous discoveries, including the compass, gunpowder, and paper. Furthermore, it was they who made the first attempts at human flight, and they were also the innovators who transformed glass from stone. The invention of the telescope and the windmill occurred. Additionally, raised characters for the blind, known as Braille, were developed. The development of algebra is also attributed to the Arabs, who made invaluable contributions to the Greek sciences of Geometry and Trigonometry. They meticulously compiled comprehensive star catalogs and constructed precise celestial maps. By measuring a single degree of the Earth's surface, they were able to calculate the total circumference of the Earth with remarkable accuracy. Additionally, they innovated various forms of water clocks and the pendulum, thereby establishing a method for precise timekeeping. The Arabs also pioneered the invention of the printing press and revolutionized the field of Medicine, leaving a lasting impact on scientific progress.

The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.U.H.B.) fundamentally reshaped the intellectual landscape of the Arab world, deeply embedding the value of knowledge into the collective psyche. The Arab Muslim civilization, adhering closely to the Prophet’s (P.U.H.B.) exhortations, regarded wisdom and scientific inquiry as integral to both their spiritual and socio-cultural identities. They approached knowledge as a means of refining their understanding of the world, viewing intellectual pursuit not merely as an academic exercise, but as an essential element of their devotion and service to Allah. In accordance with the prophetic guidance, Muslim scholars became avid seekers of knowledge, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. They sought wisdom from all available sources, recognizing that learning, regardless of origin, was a form of divine revelation. This intellectual openness and pursuit of wisdom birthed numerous groundbreaking contributions across a wide spectrum of scientific fields. Remarkably, these contributions did not stand in opposition to Islamic principles, but were instead integrated into the broader framework of Islamic thought, maintaining harmony between faith and reason. The intellectual legacy of Muslim scholars has had a profound and enduring impact, influencing not only the Muslim world but also reaching far beyond. The scientific discoveries and philosophical treatises of Muslim thinkers played a pivotal role in shaping the course of intellectual development in Europe. It was through the transmission of knowledge from the Islamic world that universities in Paris, Oxford, Italy, and broader Western Europe emerged as intellectual centers.

When an impartial scholar engages in deep contemplation regarding the genesis of the universe and its underlying mysteries, correlating this reflection with the insights provided by the Qur'an, a singular, indisputable conclusion emerges: science is an intrinsic faculty of humanity. Indeed, when the scholar establishes the true nature of science, it becomes apparent that science functions as an unequivocal conduit to unravel the essence of creation, mastery, life, death, and their respective mysteries. The Qur'an, in its sacred text, elucidates that Allah, the Almighty, entrusted Adam with vicegerency and endowed him with the knowledge of all names. The concept of vicegerency, as referenced in this context, pertains to the exercise of Allah's divine prerogatives. The discourse surrounding the utilization of such powers arises only when one is well-versed in the rules, regulations, and principles that govern their application. To equip Adam with this understanding, Allah imparted to him the knowledge of the names, which signifies the teaching of the science of the subjugation of the cosmos, thereby enabling Adam to wield authority over it through this specific body of knowledge.

From a scholarly standpoint, the study of science is, fundamentally, the study of nature and the cosmos. The overarching aim of science is to decipher the creation, composition, and proportionalities of the elements that constitute the universe, all of which adhere to a predetermined order. This motion, governed by divine laws, is the very force that sustains existence. Scientifically, the mission of science is the conquest of the forces within the universe and the efficient utilization of the treasures that lie within the earth and the heavens. Allah, in the Qur'an, reveals that He has sent down iron, laden with innumerable benefits for mankind. Upon reflection of the properties of iron, it is evident that in contemporary scientific innovations, iron is an indispensable element, integral to the construction of rail tracks, airplanes, wireless communication systems, and various other technological advancements. As per the divine assertion, iron serves as a means of countless benefits for humanity.

Contemplating the course of human history, from the time of Adam to the present, it becomes increasingly clear that every aspect of human endeavor is, in essence, a manifestation of scientific processes. It is through this scientific process, encompassing research and development, that humanity's needs are met. Every profession, industry, craft, architectural feat, and machine emerges as a product of scientific innovation.

The study of the Qur'an reveals that practical science has reached humanity through key figures in history. For instance, agriculture was introduced through Prophet Adam, shipbuilding through Prophet Noah, metallurgy and craftsmanship through Prophet David, medicine through Prophet Jesus, and wireless communication through Prophet Solomon.

At one point, Europe was devoid of knowledge, engulfed in ignorance and darkness. However, the Muslims, adhering to the teachings of the final Prophet, peace be upon him, became a distinguished and intellectually advanced nation. As they distanced themselves from the guidance, reflection, and scientific research and development (R&D) that were central to the Prophet's teachings, they gradually descended into ignorance and darkness, both individually and collectively. In contrast, those nations that made the pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement a priority experienced elevation and prosperity. This is in accordance with the divine law: "Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is within themselves."

It is crucial that we move beyond the ranks of ungrateful and misguided descendants to become virtuous and prosperous individuals, inheriting the intellectual and scientific legacy of our predecessors. Only then can we emerge from the metaphorical darkness into enlightenment. As the Prophet, peace be upon him, declared, "An hour of contemplation is superior to sixty years of worship," and "The pursuit of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female." Hence, we must seek knowledge, even if it requires traveling to the farthest corners of the earth.