From: irfan@bode.ece.wisc.edu (Irfan Alan)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: THE SCIENCE, TRUTH AND REAL CIVILIZATION - PART 4
Date: 16 Nov 1992 12:44 PDT
Organization: California Institute of Technology
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IN THE NAME OF ALLAH; THE MOST GRACIOUS AND THE MOST MERCIFUL

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THE SCIENCE,  THE TRUTH, AND REAL  CIVILIZATION, PART 4
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PART 4 of a Lecture Presenting the Islamic Point of View 
in a Dialogue with Christians.

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THE QURAN'S APPROACH TO SCIENCE AND LEARNING

However, the way the Qur'an approaches knowledge of the universe
differs from the way science does.  The Qur'an gives an overview
of the facts, and shows in them the Glory and Absolute Power
together with wisdom and mercy.  

For example, it says "Sun turns, it is a lamp, it gives heat.." 
It diverts the attention to the wisdom, power, and mercy of the
Compassionate Creator of the Sun.

Science, however, looks at things for their own sake, tries to
get detailed information.  For example, when science approaches
the sun, it tells about the fusion, etc.  This kind of
information can only be understood by scientific community.

Since the Qur'an addresses for all people with various levels of
knowledge, it does not dwell into details in a way which would
alienate human intellect  

The Qur'an, at the same time, does urge science to investigate
and learn for two reasons.  First:  to understand and
contemplate the wisdom and mercy of the Creator, inherent in the
way the universe is made, see how the earth -as small as a
needle tip in the vast universe- becomes like a fruit of the
whole universe.  To show that all the precision in the universe
leads to and prepared for the life and especially human life on
earth.  Second: To stimulate human advancement and mutual
assistance, lift the monotonocity of life.

The miracles of the prophets told in the All-Wise Qur'an are not
mere historical stories.  Indeed, in mentioning these miracles,
it is defining the final limits of human achievement in science
and technology.  It in fact encourages scientific exploration
and technical achievements by showing objectives.  Therefore
prophets are not only spiritual and moral teachers, they are
also leaders of material achievement. 


FUTURE IS ISLAM:  PROOF: THE MIRACULOUS QUR'AN AND MUHAMMAD (ASM)

Thus, in the future when reason, and transparent science
prevail, the Qur'an will certainly be the strongest voice.  The
Qur'an, the Miraculous Exposition says, 'Efela yagulun, efela
yetedebberun, efala yeskurun, efela yetefekkerun'

'Do you not see, do you not think, do you not consider the
Qur'an with care ?', and appeals to senses and mind.  It values
science and learning as part of the region.  For  this reason,
many Muslim scholars of science and thinkers received a lot of
insight from the All-Wise Qur'an, and developed their ideas.

Islam never subdued the rights of learned men and women, nor it
forgot the poor.  On the contrary, it supports science,
learning, and schooling.  It protects the poor.  It builds a
bridge between the poor and the rich through alms-tax and
removes the fear, enmity, and the clashes between the two.  The
prophet Muhammed (ASM) said: 'The honored is the one who serves
people for the sake of Allah.  The best among you are those who
assist others and have mercy on them.  Allah is Merciful to
those who are merciful to others.'

We say this with certainty, because the Qur'an has been
challenging all wise and intelligent, to argue against itself
for more than 14 centuries.  Nobody could come up, and said,
"For these reasons, based on these facts, for these
inconsistencies, by this proof, the Qur'an is wrong (hasa), here
I have something which works."

For sure, humankind no longer wants wars and misery, neither for
himself nor for someone else.  Humankind is tired of tyrannies,
and exploitation of people.  The whole humanity is asking: "What
is the remedy?  Where is the answer?  What is the Truth?"  Out
of the thirst of justice and real happiness, if Muslims are not
severely oppressed by their puppet regimes, if they would
display the fruit of Islam in themselves, then, if Allah
willing, people from all races, nations, and continents, will
join the school of the Qur'an.  No doubt people, stripped from
their prejudices, will find the Qur'an compassionate, friendly,
and acceptable.  They will confirm its pronouncements by their
own reasoning and faculties.  

If you do not believe me then you owe it to yourself that you
should obtain a copy of the Qur'an and read it carefully. 
Another proof I have is the Prophet Muhammad (ASM) himself:

When we go back to the time before Islam, we would see a nation
which was ignorant, savage, and, in short, deprived of most
human qualities was transformed into a nation which was the most
civilized, and became teacher and exemplar to the future
Muslims.  Now, if hundred thousand philosophers and scholars
from this age would have gone and stayed there for hundred
years, they would not be able to accomplish one percent of a
year's performance of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be
upon him).  For an immediate comparison, consider the inability
of the so-called mighty United States with all its intellectual,
material, and technical power in solving the alcohol problem in
15 years, nor the long list of far greater problems afflicting
her people today.

The success of Islam is acknowledged by many past and recent
scholars and philosophers.  For example, Thomas Carlyle, one of
the greatest thinkers of the past century said, "A poor shepherd
people, roaming unnoticed in its deserts since the creation of
the world: a  hero prophet was sent down to them with a word
they could believe: see the unnoticed becomes world notable, the
small has grown world-great; within one century afterwards,
Arabia is at Grenada (Spain) on this hand, at Delhi (India) on
that; glancing in valour and splendour and the light of genius,
Arabia shines through long ages over a great section of the
world.  Belief is great, life giving.  The history of a nation
becomes fruitful, soul elevating great, so soon as it believes. 
These Arabs, the man Mohammed, and that one century, -Is it not
as if a spark had fallen, one spark, on a world of what seemed
black unnoticeable sand; but lo, the sand proves explosive
powder, blazes heaven high from Delhi to Grenada!  I said, the
great man was always as lightening out of heaven; the rest of
man waited for him like fuel, and then they too would flame." 
Taken from his lecture in 8 th of May 1840.  His audience:
Anglicans.

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To be continued In$a Allah.
Your Br. Irfan in Islam.