world-come2009_islamic scientists-prospects and challenges

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Islamic Scientists: Prospects and Challenges

Professor Dr. Anuar Hj [email protected]

1 Introduction

The Islamic civilization has been plagued by a series of successive wave devastation by

uncivilized, heathen invaders, resulting in the disruption of the Muslim unity, the debilitation

of their cultural superiority, the destruction of their economy prosperity, the shattering of both

their social and political structures and finally culminating in the collapse of their political

leadership, the Islamic vicegerency (the Khilafah), in 1924 AC. This sad loss of the political

head of the Muslim Ummah was taken by most historians to represent the end of Islamic

civilization. Islamic World has been fragmented into more than 60 separate entities (nations)

with artificial boundaries and different system of governments.

Such challenges represent only a few of the many that are currently facing the Muslim

Ummah, but the most serious challenge lies in the area of science and technology. A steadily

widening gap is currently separating us from scientifically and technically developed

countries. However, if we all realize this challenge, the Islamic civilization will continue and

never end. This is simply because of the fact that the main sources of drive and illumination

for Islamic civilization have always been the Glorious Qur’an and the traditions (Sunnah) of

the seal of prophethood, Muhammad SAW. These two sources of divine guidance have been

kept intact for over 14 centuries and shall be kept forever by a divine promise; and will guide

the mankind as they did in the past. The failure of communism and the severe socio-economic

problems facing by the secularism and capitalism will give a prospect to Islam.

Islam has its own worldview “tassaur” including beliefs about "ultimate reality, epistemology,

ontology, ethics, purpose, etc.” based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. Qur'an is the literal word

and the final revelation of God; Sunnah is the traditions, or the implementation of the

guidance, rules and law by His prophet SAW.

Most of the Islamic nations still adopt western secularism and capitalism philosophy. The

achievement in modern science in the west has some how slowed down the process of

considering Islamic worldview to be implemented. This paper will limit to Islamic scientists

and its prospects and challenges, and its relation to “Modern Science”. Eventhough this is a

very touchy and extremely difficult subject to deal with, it still must be done by the Islamicscientists. It is not a subject with any kind of, we might say, dangerous pitfalls or subterfuges

under way because it is not a political subject. But nevertheless, it is of very great consequence because it will affect one way or the other, the future of the Islamic world as a

whole. This statement is extracted from a lecture by Prof Seyyid Hossein Nasr entitled,

``Islam and Modern Science'' at MIT about 45 years ago, and the reality of what he said can

really be seen today.

2. Who is an Islamic scientist?

This question would raise more questions, is there Islamic and non-Islamic scientist? If it is,

what is the different between Islamic and non-Islamic scientists? How about Muslimscientists who were brought up in the non-Islamic countries? Are they Islamic scientists? Are

mailto:[email protected]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur%27an

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qur%27an

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

mailto:[email protected]



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there prospects for Islamic scientists? What are the challenges they may face? Can Islamic

scientists work along side with the non Islamic scientist? Then, what is the similarity?

To answer these questions, some analysis needs to be carried out. Definitely, it could not

answer all, but hopefully it could give some insight towards the understanding of Islamic

scientists. However, this paper will try to frame the questions, and try to chart the wayforward.

2.1 Definition of Science and scientists from western point of view.

The word science comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge. How do we define

science? According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of science is

"knowledge attained through study or practice," or "knowledge covering general truths of the

operation of general laws, especially as obtained and tested through scientific method and

concerned with the physical world ." [http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/science-

definition.html]

A Scientist is a person who has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical

sciences. [Scientist: (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/scientist?view=uk)]

A scientist, in the broadest sense, is any person who engages in a systematic activity to

acquire knowledge or an individual that engages in such practices and traditions that are

linked to schools of thought or philosophy. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an

individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas

of science. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientist]

The western point of view on scientist can be analyzed from the keywords in italic, Natural or

physical sciences, scientific method, general laws and physical world . The scientific

knowledge is only accepted through investigation using the scientific method; and to be

termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and

measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists

of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and

testing of hypotheses; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method. This shows that

observation through the five senses, scientific equipments and the human cognitive are the

only way to be accepted by the scientific information. Any phenomena that could not be

proved by the scientific methods would be considered as natural law, or would not be

accepted at all.

After 1000 AC, or 400 H, before the “Modern sciences,” Al Ghazali a great Muslim schlor

had profoundly changed the intellectual atmosphere, with notable contributions like “Ihyaul

Uloom al-din” and “Al Munqidh minal Dalal”. In the latter book, he has also debated on the

interconnection between religious belief and scientific laws of motion of celestial bodies. He

says, “Another difficulty is created by a bigoted follower of religion who thinks that, in order

to save religion, it is essential to deny all science. …As a matter of fact, there is nothing in

religion which is against the sciences, nor is there anything in the sciences which is against

religion”.

2.2 Some ambiguity in the modern sciences



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Modern science is successful in telling you the weight and chemical structure of grey hairs,

but it is totally irrelevant to what is the meaning of the turning of this black or blond hair to

grey. The ``how'' has been explained in modern science, the ``why'' is not its concern. If you

are a physics student and you ask the question, `what is the force of gravitation?' the teacher

will tell you the formula, but as to what the nature of this force is, he will tell you it is not a

subject for physics. So science is very successful in certain fields, but leaves other aspects of reality aside.

The creation of man on earth is an example of phenomena that science still could not explain.

Charles Darwin 1808 – 1882 a biologist tried to introduce theory of evolution to explain the

phenomena. Man was originated from Amoeba, a single cell organism that slowly evolved to

become more complex organism. Finally, it becomes apes, or probably, Oran Utan before

further evolve to become a human. The differences from Islamic knowledge will be discussed

in the next section. Many western scientists themselves do not accept the evolution theory,

because it claimed that the evolution process occurred over millions of years and can not be

scientifically proved. However, this is the only scientific theory available and extensively

thought in the biology classes, either in the western or eastern schools and universities.

Another example unexplained phenomena is, how big this universe is, still could not be

proved using scientific method. Even though, NASA tried to build the biggest telescope, the

solution is still not available. Figure 1, shows the limit of human capability. Even though the

solar system is just a single dot compare to the entire Milky Way Galaxy, the size of universe

is still beyond human imagination.

Figure 1: An Artist's illustration of the Milky Way Galaxy Image credit: NASA / CXC

/ M. Weiss

Other then evolution theory, explaining the size of universe, and a few others, scientific rules

and laws are very similar to the rules and laws which were already reported by the Islamic

scientists from 7th to 17th centuries AC, especially in the area of chemistry, physics, algebra,

medicine, astronomy, architecture, engineering, etc. It was under their successors (successors

to Muslim of Spain) at Oxford School that Roger Bacon learned Arabic and Arabic Sciences.

Neither Roger Bacon nor his later namesake has any title to be credited with havingintroduced the experimental method. Roger Bacon was no more one of the apostles of the



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78. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forget his own creation. He says: “Who will give

life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust?

79. Say (O Muhammad SAW): “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time!

And He is All-Knower of every creation!”

Qur’an has clearly explained the creation of man, in other Surat, Qur’an also explained that

the first man, Adam, was created from earth. Scientific research also shows that 106 elements

of human body are available in earth. We were allowed to bring the study of human

development form Nutfah to fetus and finally to baby in the laboratory, however, there is

humanity limits for it. Qur’an does not allow us to ask about soul “Roh” because this is His

business.

Ar Rum (30:54)

54. Allah is He Who created you in (a state of ) weakness, then give you strength after

weakness, then after strength give you weakness and gray hair. He creates what He wills. Andit is He Who is All-Knowing, the All-Powerful (i.e. Able to do all things).

This ayat may explain the state of human strength by which start from weakness and come

back to weakness. He also associated grey hair to old or weakness, thus, explains the function

of grey hair.

Similarly, to the creation of universe,

Ya-Sin (36:37-40)

37. And a sign of them is the night. We withdraw there from the day, and be hold, they are in

darkness.

38. And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-

Mighty, the All-Knowing.

39. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to Traverse) till it returns like the old

dried curved date stalk.

40. It is not the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float,

each in its own orbit.

Amazingly, Qur’an had explained clearly about the orbits and the changing of day and night

1400 years ago, while the Christens still believe that earth is the centre of universe. In Islamic

scientists tradition, they first learnt the knowledge of Tanzil (Devine knowledge) before they

ventured into natural god created phenomena. They knew the limits and stick fast to the

purposes and morale values.

Due to the political problems and lack of interest in research and development by both the

government and the Muslim scientists, from 15th to 17th centuries AC, Muslim began to lag

behind in the area of science and technology like in many other areas, at a time when then

Latin West and the Yellow East started to compete for scientific and technology superiority



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and material prosperity, hand in hand with a steady rate of decay in moral values, social

bindings and religious commitments.

4. The current scenario and the way forward

The current scenario represents one of the most depressing realities of our present day world.Member state of Islamic World, with the last divine guidance still intact within their own

hands, but due to their division amidst themselves, regression in the area of science and

technology, debilitation in their military might, dissipation of their wealth and submission to

the world powers, cannot possibly live their Islam, let alone give it to others. It becomes

apparent that the more we leave the gap between the Muslim and the developed nations in the

areas of sciences and technology to widen day after day, the more we shall find ourselves

disintegrating in the current materialistic culture, which is completely alien to our civilization

with all its divine, religious guidance, high moral values and interwoven family and social

structures.

To address this challenges threat for the future of the Muslim Ummah, for immediate possession of the recent advances in every field of useful knowledge particularly in science

and technology, plan have to be carried out carefully. Muslims have to understand the inner

reasons behind their gradual decline; it is essential to look into this before suggesting any

solution.

At the forefront of the reasons of declining of the Muslim society was the revival of the un-

Islamic call for “assabiyyah” or small group feeling, tribal consciousness or narrow

nationalistic solidarity. This has resulted in the gradual fragmentation of the unified Islamic

World into a large number of autonomous or semi-autonomous, regional sovereignties on the

basis of nationalistic, tribal or sectarian affiliation. Such fragmentation of the Muslim did not

only dissipate their wealth, but also led to the loss of their linguistic and cultural unity, which

may take time to be patched up again. Muslim brotherhood must go beyond nationals and

borders for our Iman to be completed.

Other internal causes for the decline of Muslims are the sudden loss of the balanced vision

between worldly needs and those for the Hereafter as detail in Islam. This has led to the

indulgence into both leisure and the excessiveness of the pleasures of life, the disposition

towards exorbitant luxuries, waste and squandering, the decay of the cultural and educational

superiority followed by the collapse in economic prosperity, the waning of interest in

scientific research, the absence of freedom of thought and of expression under oppressive

regimes, the loss of true Islamic polity by the spread of injustices and economic inequalities between the different classes of people, the lacking of unity of both thought and action, the

dwindling of curiosity, critical thinking and analysis, the fading out the sprit of leadership,

guidance and co-operation and the loss of morale, vigor, virility and stamina.

The shattering to pieces of both the socio-economic and the political structures of the Islamic

State, the dwindling of the national systems of education and the spread of illiteracy, the

gradual disintegration of the noble Islamic characters of integrity, sense of responsibility and

of accountability, love for the pursuit of useful knowledge and struggling for the

establishment of divine justice on earth. This disintegration of the Muslim World was taking

place at a time when Westerners were gradually catching up with the Islamic heritage, after a

terrible struggle with the church. During this confrontation European scientists, were burnedalive, hanged to death or imprisoned and tortured for speaking differently form the “Book of



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Genesis.” Finally, European scientists won the battle, but the memories of the grave

sufferings under the domination of the church Western science to divorce religion, overlook

its dogmas and alienate itself completely from the world of unseen, which in reality is the

domain of its major activities and discoveries.

“Modern Science” gave the West immense powers, and neglecting it in most of thecontemporary Muslim countries has led to the further debilitation of Ummah in every field.

Instead of taking this negative stand, Muslim should have tried to Islamize modern science by

putting it in the right Islamic context as a further development of Islamic science, wrongly

placed in a secular framework by the agnostic atheistic Europeans.

Four Muslim countries, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia and Turkey, the progresses of scientific

research and technology have shown some positive results. The countries are capable of

producing nuclear defense system (Pakistan), satellite and advance military defense system

(Iran), cars, power generation plants and oil and gas refinery (Malaysia), high technology

products such as optical fiber and manufactured goods (Turkey). However, the Islamic

countries must also move to the scientific frontiers, such as nano-technology, atomic andmolecular research, material science, aeronautics, astronomy and space, biotechnology,

computers, telecommunication, etc. to enable them to become knowledge contributor again.

The curriculum from pre-school to university levels have to be revived, renewed and restored

and to be present in more holistic approach.

The innovations are originated from the basic research. Gone are the days when a lone

scientist in a small laboratory used to do wonders. Today’s research is teamwork using ultra

modern equipment, experimental facilities, helpful infrastructure, acceptable socio-economic

conditions, and above all generous patronage of the government (as it used to be in the golden

eras of the Islamic scientist). The top cream younger generations must be selected to work

with the universities or research centers for the revival of Muslim dignity. The prospect is

enormous, with the availability of computers and Internet, it can further speedup the

networking and collaboration work between countries.

5 References

1. S H Nasr ` ̀Islam and Modern Science'' , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hossein_Nasr

2. http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/science-definition.html

3. Scientist: http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/scientist?view=uk

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientist

5. M Ergin, M Doruk and M R Al-Zou’bi Science and technology education for development in the Islamic World . Pub IAS, ISBN 9957-412-00-7, 1999.

6. A B Abdullah, Bidang Kejuruteraan Persepsi dan sumbang Islam, Pub PTS, ISBN

983-192-554-8, 2004

7. M Saleem, The Muslims and the new World Order, Pub. ISDS, ISBN 1898584 00

1, 1993.

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