Tuesday, December 21, 2004
From Ghazali to Abdus Salam
There is a general feeling among muslims nowadays about a lack of compatibility between islam and science. People tend to feel that if they become more religious, they will be forced to give up their 'wordly' studies. I can understand, to an extent, why such a suggestion can seep into our minds.
The thoughts in my mind were not about if such a union is possible but rather a general despair on the absence of great minds from the muslims in the 20th century. Such a feeling first surfaced when we were discussing a book by Sheikh Ali al-Tantawi. Though the book was not about philosophy, it did have some discussions on it. The thing that caught my eye was when it mentioned some of the works done by a Muslim scholar named al-Ghazali. The excerpt talked about how the early muslim scholars dealt with existenialism and the realm of reality. These works were so good that at the time it was used as a study tool in universities around the world. Not only that, centuries later philosophers like Decartes also dealt with similar subjects.
To sum it up, I saw an era of enlightenment for Muslims when they were not afraid of going into different fields and producing the brightest minds. Not only were these people gifted with the knowledge of this world, but they carried this out while being scholars in the Islamic field too!!!!!
Thus they had not limited themselves to one aspect but had rather conquered both facets of life and showed the world that Islam is the only religion that urges mankind to seek knowledge of all kinds because it knows that no scientific law will ever conflict with any religious belief.
"Who created the seven heavens one above another; you see no incongruity in the creation of the Beneficent Allah; then look again, can you see any disorder?
Then turn back the eye again and again; your look shall come back to you confused while it is fatigued." (mulk v:3-4)
These were the very verses that started the speech of the first muslim Nobel Laureat Abdus Salam. An expert in theoretical physics, he excelled at every level. He is considered one of the greatest minds of the 20th century due to extensive research in physics. His colleagues include the likes of Albert Eisntein. He also has a research facility in Italy named after him.
But at the same time, he did not forget his religion or his country. He had fierces discussions with Russel and Einstein on Islam and he even refused a post at one of the top universites in england so he can work in Pakistan. Islam reflected in his every move as he would often quote quranic verses in his lecture.
http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00004400&channel=university%20ave
Time after time, we see examples and yet we choose to disbelieve. People do not realize that it is not Islam that holds them back from success but rather their own deficiencies. Its easy to point at a religion but harder to look within oneself. Even after clear instructions to gain worldly and religious knowledge, naysayers (be it muslims or non-muslims) will say the opposite trying to lay seeds of doubt which are nothing but their own failings.
The thoughts in my mind were not about if such a union is possible but rather a general despair on the absence of great minds from the muslims in the 20th century. Such a feeling first surfaced when we were discussing a book by Sheikh Ali al-Tantawi. Though the book was not about philosophy, it did have some discussions on it. The thing that caught my eye was when it mentioned some of the works done by a Muslim scholar named al-Ghazali. The excerpt talked about how the early muslim scholars dealt with existenialism and the realm of reality. These works were so good that at the time it was used as a study tool in universities around the world. Not only that, centuries later philosophers like Decartes also dealt with similar subjects.
To sum it up, I saw an era of enlightenment for Muslims when they were not afraid of going into different fields and producing the brightest minds. Not only were these people gifted with the knowledge of this world, but they carried this out while being scholars in the Islamic field too!!!!!
Thus they had not limited themselves to one aspect but had rather conquered both facets of life and showed the world that Islam is the only religion that urges mankind to seek knowledge of all kinds because it knows that no scientific law will ever conflict with any religious belief.
"Who created the seven heavens one above another; you see no incongruity in the creation of the Beneficent Allah; then look again, can you see any disorder?
Then turn back the eye again and again; your look shall come back to you confused while it is fatigued." (mulk v:3-4)
These were the very verses that started the speech of the first muslim Nobel Laureat Abdus Salam. An expert in theoretical physics, he excelled at every level. He is considered one of the greatest minds of the 20th century due to extensive research in physics. His colleagues include the likes of Albert Eisntein. He also has a research facility in Italy named after him.
But at the same time, he did not forget his religion or his country. He had fierces discussions with Russel and Einstein on Islam and he even refused a post at one of the top universites in england so he can work in Pakistan. Islam reflected in his every move as he would often quote quranic verses in his lecture.
http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00004400&channel=university%20ave
Time after time, we see examples and yet we choose to disbelieve. People do not realize that it is not Islam that holds them back from success but rather their own deficiencies. Its easy to point at a religion but harder to look within oneself. Even after clear instructions to gain worldly and religious knowledge, naysayers (be it muslims or non-muslims) will say the opposite trying to lay seeds of doubt which are nothing but their own failings.
Faraz Ahmed 9:23 p.m.