Scientific Perspective of At-Tawhid
By Kazi Wadud Nawaz, New Age Islam
04 April 2020
Kalima-e- Tayyeba,“La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah” that there is no deity except Allah and Muhammed (pbuh) is His Messenger”, is the Monotheistic declaration of Tawhid in Islamic Faith. It builds up the foundation of the most fundamental world-view Allah has prescribed for mankind on earth.
It has two parts. The first part demands absolute obedience to Allah’s Sovereignty and the second part sets a living ideological model and a purposeful practical orientation of Human life.
The essence of this Kalima lies in unconditional surrender to Allah’s Dominion –and absolute obedience to the doctrine of At-Tawhid encompassing both nature and, individual and collective life of mankind. These divine rules and regulations that determine the ultimate nature of things are unchangeable and form the foundation of scientific knowledge.
At-Tawhid as foundation of Islamic World-view is a Revelation and not a concept developed through historical process of cultural traditions or through philosophical speculations. At-Tawhid as unity or Oneness of Allah proclaims Uniqueness of divine attributes which does not resemble any of His Creation in appearance, manifestations and actions.
Divine Governance of the three or multi-dimensional universe, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial realities all come under the purview of At-Tawhid.
The Holy Quran in the Verses14(24-25-26-27 has expressly outlined the scope and significance of this Kalima as under:
“Do you not see how Allah has given the example of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky, ever yielding its fruits in every season with the leave of its Lord. Allah gives examples for mankind that they may take heed. And the example of an evil word is that of an evil tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, wholly unable to endure. Thus, through a firm word, Allah grants firmness to the believers both in this world and in the Hereafter. As for the wrong-doers, Allah lets them go astray. Allah does whatever He wills.”
This Kalima, that proclaims Al-Tawhid as the General Law of Universal Governing System, is the Firmest Word on earth manifesting itself in the Evolutionary Process of Divine Creation. It takes firm root in human heart and consciousness, extends its branches beyond the boundary of worldly life and yields fruits of salvation in the Hereafter. Any word, deed or concept that contradicts the Doctrine of Tawhid and violates the divine Laws based on absolute sovereignty of Allah is an evil that yields poisonous fruits leading mankind astray far from the straight path to the utter detriment of his life on earth and Here-after.
Tawhid means "unification or oneness of Allah". It is the central and single-most important concept of Islam, upon which rests entire faith of Muslim Community. All Divine attributes are Unique. These collectively unify to focus on a Unique Singularity that manifests in the Doctrine of At-Tawhid. Allah (SWT) has designed and organized His entire creation on the Principles of Tawhid. And all His creations follow consciously or unconsciously, voluntarily or under compulsion, this Doctrine of Tawhid. So He wants the life of His servants be organized on the basis of this Philosophy.
Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the source of all light and knowledge. So from Quranic point of view Scientific knowledge streams right from domain of Allah’s sovereignty manifested in the doctrine of Al-Tawhid. The Holy Quran has made scientific research obligatory and collective responsibility for Muslim Community as essential component of faith. But the Western orientation of Modern Science has turned it into a tool for promoting Corporate Economy and the Scientists instead of serving the people, exclusively serve the interests of their Corporate Masters. The Western oriented Modern Science is not meant for common welfare of mankind rather it aims at material and spiritual enslavement of the overwhelming majority through establishment of dominion of a handful of Corporate Giants. Modern Corporate society in the name of development is now on the way to create innumerable similitude to Allah in violation of the Doctrine of Tawhid. The Holy Quran is in essence a Manual for implementing Tawhidic governing System all over divine creations including entire knowledge regime of mankind.
Related Verses of The Holy Quran:
(16:74) “So do not strike any similitudes to Allah. Allah knows whereas you do not know”
(16:77) “And to Allah belongs the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And the command for the Hour is not but as a glance of the eye or even nearer. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
Ref Verse [43:32] that says:
“Is it they who distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of this world, and have raised some above others in rank that some of them may harness others to their service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all the treasures that they hoard.”
Verse34:3
“But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [ Allah is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register”
Verse 13:8-9
Allah knows what every female carries and what the wombs lose [prematurely] or exceed. And everything with Him is by due measure. [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted.
Verse: 6:59
And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darkness of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.
The followers of Satan have now become the distributor of divine mercy and blessings. The Mischief Mongers have now become so-called pioneer of peace. This is the Outcome and tragic contribution of Modern Science!!A critical look at the present global politico-economic scenario will no doubt confirm the truth.
Modern Science is specially characterized with wide-spread compartmentalization of scientific disciplines .Too much concentration and striving for technological specialization limits the vision of truth-seekers. According to the doctrine of Tawhid all lights and knowledge diffuse from a single source and back to that source after accomplishment of divine purpose assigned to them. Allah’s knowledge is all-embracing and holistic while human knowledge is relative, partial and limited in depth and expanse as function of Time and space.
Mr. Zakir Naik’s statement that “The Quran is not a Book of science but a Book of Signs” is no doubt a partial and one-sided view on the Holy Quran. It has undermined the universal appeal of the Holy Quran. The Quranic Concept of Tawhid constitutes the philosophical foundation of all scientific knowledge - general or particular .Too much efforts and concentration on specialization has resulted in so many divisions and sub-divisions in field of scientific research leading towards innumerable scientific disciplines making it almost impossible even for any great scientific genius of the modern era to keep abreast the general orientation and specific trends of modern scientific development.
The divine process of creation according to the Holy Quran is not a transitory one-time divine affair as claimed by Stephen Hawking. According to him Big-Bang as the starting point of the evolutionary process of the universe has been caused by-chance and post Big-Bang expansion of the universe as phenomena of Time and subsequent creation of galaxies, stars, planets , life and consciousness-all are guided by the laws of physics . According to him the Universe evolved through a continuous process of development manifesting in mutual transformation of Matter and Energy at macro, micro and nano level strictly in accordance with the Laws of Physics. As for him Cosmological Evolution under guidance of the laws of Physics has no beginning or end and so needs no Creator, and God has become unnecessary and irrelevant.
In an attempt to evaluate his own achievement Stephen Hawking says “What I have done is to show that it is possible for the way the universe began to be determined by the laws of science. In that case, it would not be necessary to appeal to God to decide how the universe began. This doesn't prove that there is no God, only that God is not necessary”. [Stephen W. Hawking, Der Spiegel, 1989]
Such is the realization of a great scientist of the 21st century – a clear and pernicious attempt to isolate scientific knowledge from its original source and divine purpose!!
The very concept is perfectly in tune with the materialistic philosophy which treats matter as self-sustaining and denies any role of the creator.
But according to the Holy Quran nothing in the physical universe is self-sustaining without divine intervention and all these Scientific Laws are Enactments of Divine Governance under the Doctrine of Al-Tawhid.
The Holy Quran in the verses given below has clearly refuted and castigated such materialistic assertion:
Verse: [2:117]
“The Originator of the Heavens and the Earth: when decreeth a matter then He Said to it “Be” and “it is”
Verse: [52:35-36]
“Were they created of nothing or were they themselves the creator? Or did they create the skies and the earth? Nay, they have no firm belief.”
The evolutionary process of the universe, life and consciousness: ever since its inception move forward through uninterrupted divine intervention at every stage of its development. The Holy Quran in the Verse 55:29 has confirmed this assertion.
“Of Him seeks (its needs) every creature in the skies and on the earth, everyday and every moment He is in a state of Action” [55:29]
Tawhid or the assertion of God’s Unity is to acknowledge that there is only one proper object of aspiration and worship. But the modern world in the name of Development has brought up a great multiplicity of Gods. These gods carry forward high-sounding development Jargons like Democracy, Autocracy, Management, Modernization, Globalization, Secularism, Communism, Nationalism, Fascism, Humanism, and many other ‘isms’ and ‘cies. All these are sacred to the modern society and worshipped everywhere. Modern Science based exclusively on materialist philosophy has now become a tool for promotion of Corporate Economy. And the Scientists instead of serving the common cause of humanity exclusively serve their corporate Masters. Modern Scientific Research is not meant for freedom and common welfare of mankind rather it aims at material and spiritual enslavement of the overwhelming majority through establishment of dominion of a handful of Corporate Giants. The Corporations and their Institutions have become powerful enough to extend its vicious claws, teeth and nails to grasp global resources and tear off all religious norms and values into shreds. The Sovereignty of Corporate Capital is now all-out to replace the sovereignty of Allah. The Muslim Community the world over also seems to have succumbed to the corporate doctrine and slipped far away from the doctrine of Al- Tawhid.
Muslim thinkers, scientists and researchers also seems to have lost faith and confidence in Tawhid and are now on the way to adopt a hypocritical line of action. They are now trying to hatch out a compromising formula of integration between Western secular approach and Al-Tawhid. They made a wrong diagnosis and have taken up the ‘cause’ for ‘Cure’ and consciously or unconsciously have set up lot of parallels and partners to Allah [16:74] in violation of Tawhid. The greatest blunder committed by the Muslim community in this respect is to have been engaged in corruption in the form of Money Laundering and Illegal transfer of national resources with the enemies of Islam particularly with the Jews in violation of the Quranic Instructions and warning. But if you do not (give it up Riba), then listen to the declaration of war from Allah and His Messenger. However, if you repent, yours is your principal. Neither wrong, nor be wronged. [ verses2:279].
From Quranic point of view Riba does not mean usury only. It encompasses all sorts of corruption related to financial management of the state including smuggling of national resources and money laundering. Usury is only a small component of an all-embracing financial corruption eroding the very foundation of national economy. Instead of using the available national resources in scientific research and development for the benefit of Muslim Umma, the rulers of so-called Muslim countries all over the world, hand it over to their enemies for personal and group interests. Such illegal transfer of wealth and brain-drain, inhibit their institutional and intellectual development in science and technology. Along with transfer of wealth, the means and initiative for scientific development and moral values are also bartered as ransom for their support towards betrayal of Tawhid.
The holy Quran does not permit of any materialistic approach towards cognition of the objective reality and hence towards science and scientific endeavors. The Quranic concept of science builds up on the Doctrine of Tawhid. It upholds ethical and moral values in the process of integration of material and spiritual aspects of human life.
The Holy Quran and the Universe are two complimentary Books of Revelation. Both are written with the mightiest pen of the same Omniscient Author and hence are bound to be compatible with each other.
A scientist however great a genius he might be, has his own limitation in time and space. A scientific discovery however revolutionary it might seem, unveils only a relative truth likely to be changed and modified step by step in future just to attain a higher level of understanding of the reality. Theories might change to come closer and closer to the Ultimate Reality in an endless spiral of evolutionary process of scientific knowledge.
If we look at the present world situation, we find great coincidence with the situation stated in the verse 4:119 as under-
“I (Satan) will mislead them, I will create in them false desires, I will order them to slit ears of t\he cattle, and to deface the fair nature created by Allah. Whoever forsaking Allah takes Satan for a friend, has of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.” [Sura: An-Nisa Verse:119].
The so-called civilized countries of the West and the East are
now all-out to deface fair nature created by Allah to fulfill their material
needs arising out of false desires infused in them by the Satan in the name of
development and human welfare. And modern science has become the worst tools in
their hands to inflict on humanity a loss that is manifest in the form of war,
bloodshed, death, destruction and plunder.
The weapon of Scientific Knowledge now in the hands of the so-called civilized
Western World running madly after material interests, is being utilized for
transgressing the Universal Balance of Justice (Meezan) throughout the Globe
for supremacy and capturing worldly resources. In the present world situation
it is the divine duty of the Believers as Viceroy of Allah to acquire advanced
scientific knowledge and apply it for maintaining Balance of Justice for
survival of the humanity.
The principal trend of the Western Science today, instead of revealing the logical process of manifestations of the ultimate cause is now set to deny the very cause itself. Late Prof. Stephen Hawking, the greatest scientific genius of the 21st Century has set the Laws of Physics against the Existence of God and declared Him to be irrelevant and unnecessary in the light of his Hypothesis of “Eternity of the Material Universe.” But it is very surprising that he forgot the immensity of divine mercy and blessings in his own life. His entire life was full of in-comprehensible miraculous divine mercies transcending all Laws of Physics that set him so high in the scientific community in spite of all his handicaps and physical limitations.
Unity or Oneness of Allah that is At-Tawhid reveals itself in unity and interconnectedness of all terrestrial, extra-terrestrial, and cosmological realities. Human History, his Nature and destiny, are closely related with the greater cosmological structure. The Modern Science though philosophically carries a trend of Western Atheism, none the less its discoveries pave the way to confirmation of this Truth as an Essential and Integrated Component of “Al-Tawhid.”
The following two quotes from Albert Einstein has amply clarified his philosophical views on science and religion:
“I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human kind. [Albert Einstein responding to Rabbi Herbert Goldstein]”
“Scientific research can reduce superstition by encouraging people to think and view things in terms of cause and effect. Certain it is that a conviction, akin to religious feeling, of the rationality and intelligibility of the world lies behind all scientific work of a higher order. This firm belief, a belief bound up with a deep feeling, in a superior mind that reveals itself in the world of experience, represents my conception of God. In common parlance this may be described as ‘pantheistic’ (Spinoza).”
As evident from the above Quotations Albert Einstein the Greatest scientific genius of the modern era highly acclaimed Spinoza’s philosophy based on the concept of a self-contented, morally passive creator who remains satisfied revealing himself in incomprehensible beauty and diversities of nature and the universe having no concern with the destiny and moral guidance of mankind as the focus of Divine Creations. Let all human, religio-cultural and moral values be trampled down under the iron boots of corporate interests. But come what may, the scientists will be safe from divine punishment even after committing horrendous crimes against humanity in the service of their Corporate Masters!!
But the case is different with the Islamic Concept of Tawhid-based Science and morality. The Holy Quran integrates scientific knowledge with divine purpose of creation of man and the universe. So from the stand point of the Holy Quran the Scientific community must have a moral responsibility for maintaining Universal Balance of justice (Meezan) to harmonize material and spiritual life of the mankind as vicegerent of Allah on Earth. Muslim Scientists must inculcate Tawhid –based norms and values in course of their Scientific Research or be held responsible and be liable to divine chastisement for any deviation. And here in lies the difference between Tawhid-based Scientific knowledge and Western oriented Modern Science.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-science/scientific-perspective-tawhid/d/121511
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