Islam and Science

Modern Theological science is a substantiation of religious dogmas with due regard for contemporary intellect; or a presenta¬tion of Islamic teachings according to modern rational methods. First of all, we must ascertain exactly what this contemporary intel¬lect is. Contemporary intellect is synonymous with scientific intel¬lect, or that intellect which emphasizes the importance of the essen¬tial nature of things. The scientific revolution has had a profound effect on human thought.

One of the consequences of the intellectual revolution based on monotheism was that man began to look at nature as a powerless creature, and that man had the right to investigate it and bring it to his service. The beginning of this tendency came from the Umayyad period (661-750) in Damascus. To ancient Greek philosophers alchemy was the name of a craze to turn silver into gold. KhaIid bin Yazid bin Muawiya is probably the first person who attempted to develop alchemy into physical science.

Robert Boyle (1627-1691), devoted himself entirely to the study of science, and, in time, became a scientist of repute in London. But his studies did not distance him from religion. They had the effect rather of bringing him closer to it, and, in his later years, he became a staunch and zealous protestant Christian. He did not marry and could, therefore, devote his entire life and earnings to the propagation of the Christian faith.

If a tree is planted with its roots severed, it will look as green as any other plant to start with, but, on the very next day, its leaves will start drying up, and will goon drying up, for very soon the tree will die. This is exactly what has happened to atheism and disbelief in religion. In the beginning it looked as if atheism was flourishing, religion had become a thing of the past and the world had entered an age of irreligion. But this was a short¬-lived phenomenon, principally because it was rootless. And now religion has bounced back with renewed vigour.