Do You Have to Pick Between Religion or Science?

The Qur’an and Islam’s emphasis on “Knowledge”

The Qur’an uses the word llm, which is loosely translated as knowledge but it encompasses a lot more. While “knowledge” implies information about something, Ilm refers to knowledge, but also covers theory, action, understanding and wisdom.  Knowing the calorie and fat content of pizza is knowledge. Being disciplined enough to not eat it is wisdom.

An aalim is a person who processes Ilm. In the Qur’an the word aalim occurs in 140 places, and Ilm in 27 times. In all Ilm and its associated words/derivations are used over 700 times.

Here is a short verse that is widely used as a supplication by Muslims.

Rabbai zidni Ilma– O Lord increase me in knowledge. The Qur’an 20:114

Here are few hadiths (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) to underscore the importance of acquiring knowledge (ilm).

Acquire knowledge even if you have to go to China.

Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him.

The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all the other heavenly bodies. (i.e. people of knowledge shine and stand out against the worshippers).

When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (perpetual charity); a knowledge, which is beneficial (and ongoing- e.g. establishing an educational institution), or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).

The Qur’an invites Pondering and Contemplation

Contrary to the popular belief, Islamic and Quranic teachings invite us to ponder and contemplate the “nature”. The Qur’an repeatedly draws the attention to “nature” and invites the reader to contemplate and think deeply.

 And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect. 30:21–23

Do they not reflect within themselves: Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two but with truth, and (for) an appointed term? 30:8

Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand. Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. 3:190–191

 “Science is anti-religion”

To be honest, I am not sure what part of “science” is against “religion”. In my study of Medicine and the cosmos, I have not found this to be true.

In fact quite the opposite was true.

I can honestly state that my study of the Qur’an has triggered my interest in exploring science further. Conversely, the study of Medicine and other aspects of science have made my belief in God, the supernatural, stronger as I am not able to explain how this could all be made possible with a random coincidence, without (super) intelligence behind all the “science”.

• I have faith in the Qur’an- the Scripture that referred to the big bang, long before astronomists described it.
• I have faith in the Qur’an- the Scripture that points to the universe as expanding, long before “science” discovered it.
• I have faith in the Qur’an that informed us that the planet earth, the sun and the stars have finite life, long before the scientists realized it.
• I have faith in the Qur’an- the Scripture that describes the “bee dance” and the workers’ bees, long before the Zoologists discovered it.
• I have faith in the Qur’an that describes the plants having male and female genders long before the Botanists described the sexual and asexual reproduction within plant kingdom.

In my subsequent posts, I will review these and some of the passages from the Qur’an as well as the Bible that relate to the subjects of astronomy, animal and plant kingdoms and us- the humans.

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