Why Muslims Need to Focus On Science Also, Not Duas and Prayers Only?
By T.O. Shanavas, New
Age Islam
6 August
2024
The Arabic Exegesis of
the Qur'an Is Known as "Tafseer,"
While The Interpretation of Divine Creation, The Universe, Is Referred to as
Science. While The Qur'an Is in Human Vernacular, The Book of the Universe Is
in A Material Medium. To Gain a Comprehensive and Accurate Understanding of the
Divine Messages, It Is Pivotal to Read the Qur'an and The Book of the Universe
In Parallel.
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The
physical universe and the Qur'an are considered twin manifestations of divine
self-revelation. Viewed as texts, the universe is like a written scroll in a
material medium, while the Qur'an is a text in human vernacular. The verses of
the Qur'an are called “ayat” (signs), as are the phenomena of nature. The
universe contains signs (ayat) that believers are encouraged to study to
strengthen their understanding of God and thereby their spirituality. Sayyed
Hossein Nasr, an eminent Islamic scholar, expounds on this eloquently:
“The Qur’an
depicts nature as being ultimately a theophany which both veils and reveals
God. The forms of nature are so many ‘mosques’ which hide various Divine
Qualities while also revealing these same Qualities for those whose inner eye
has not become blinded by the concupiscent ego and centripetal tendencies of
the passionate soul.”1 This duality, the revelation and concealment of the
divine, highlights the depth and complexity of nature as both a manifestation
and a mystery of the divine in Islamic theology.
The Arabic
exegesis of the Qur'an is known as "Tafseer,"
while the interpretation of divine creation, the universe, is referred to as
science. While the Qur'an is in human vernacular, the book of the universe is
in a material medium. To gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the
divine messages, it is pivotal to read the Qur'an and the book of the universe
in parallel.
The
following Prophetic tradition enlightens this fact:
“‘To be present in the circle of a learned man is better than
prostrating oneself in prayer a thousand times or visiting a thousand sick men
or joining a thousand funerals.’ It was then said, ‘O Prophet of God, is it
better than te reading of the Qur’an?’ To which he replied, ‘What good, though,
is the Qur’an, except through knowledge.’”2
By engaging
with both forms of divine communication, we can deepen our understanding and
appreciation of the intricate relationship between the spiritual and physical
realms. This approach of studying the Qur'an and the universe together enables
us to explore the wonders of creation and deepen our understanding of the
Creator's wisdom and design, thereby reaching the highest stages of
spirituality.
The study
of nature has material dividends also, as stated in the following Prophet’s
(peace be upon him) saying:
“Seek knowledge; its acquisition is fear of God, its pursuit is prayer;
search for it is holy war; its propagation is charity; its teaching is
fraternity; for it is the index of right and wrong; it is the lighthouse of the
road to Paradise; it provides consolation in loneliness, friendship in
estrangement, fidelity in thick and thin, a protective arm against enemies,
rapprochement towards foreigners, decorum among friends [and] through
knowledge, God is obeyed and worshipped. In knowledge, the good is revealed,
loved, and implemented, for it is the precursor of action, the first principle
of every good deed.”3
Islamic
spirituality is a five-legged stool, and the legs are worship, supplications
(duas), rituals, faith in the unseen, and seeking knowledge from nature. The
current Muslim world is satisfied with worship, Duas, faith, and rituals but
often ignores nature. As a result, the Muslim world has become subservient to
other nations or is being controlled by others. For example, the most powerful
nations have acquired better data collection, armament, and its delivery
systems by studying nature. They destroy anything that they don’t like.
The world
has seen what happened in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Algeria, and now Gaza.
The only thing the Muslim world can do at present is weep helplessly. The
reason is for their helplessness is loud and clear. The current Muslim world
focuses only on making duas and prayers. While it is important, they ignore or
don’t heed the warning of God, “Verily, Allah will not change the condition of
a people until they change what is in themselves” (Qur’an 13:11), and the
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every
Muslim”4
Reference
1. Ref:
Nsar, Seyyed Hussein. Islam and Environmental Crisis. MAAS journal of Islamic
Science. p.35).
2. al-Ghazali,
The Book of Knowledge. Translated by Nabiah Amin Farsi. Islamic Book Service,
New Delhi. p.11).
3. al-Faruqi,
I.R. The Cultural Atlas of Islam*. p. 313.
4. Sunan
Ibn Majah 224.
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T.O. Shanavas is a native of Kerala, but is now based in the USA. He is
the author of “Islamic Theory of Evolution The Missing Link Between Darwin and
The Origin of Species.” Co-author of the book, And God Said, "Let There Be
Evolution!": Reconciling The Book Of Genesis, The Qur'an, And The Theory
Of Evolution. Edited by Prof. Charles M. Wynn and Prof. Arthur W. Wiggins.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-science/muslims-science-duas-prayers/d/132873
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