SCIENCE seems to be a word that scares many people. Certain images are conjured up and associated with science. One such image is that science is a difficult discipline of knowledge that only people with thick glasses and unkempt hair are able to understand. This stereotypical view of science has discouraged many students from taking up science.
Another image that people, particularly Muslims, find not to their liking, is that knowledge of science has nothing to do with Islam. As such, Muslims who have this myopic viewpoint would easily brush off science as unIslamic ‘that science is secular, not important and will not bring forth happiness in the next world.
This opinion is very dangerous. For, if this were to be taken as true, then Muslims would forever be third class citizens of the world, always backward and poor both in terms of material and technological wealth.
To say that science is outside the purview of Islam and could not contribute to the happiness of the next world is indeed very odd, for Islam is a complete way of life. If Islam is a complete way of life, then surely it would encompass all aspects of life and knowledge.
In Islam, knowledge can be divided into two categories, namely revealed knowledge (naqliah) and acquired knowledge (aqliah). The latter comes in the form of many disciplines of knowledge that we have today economics, social sciences, law and jurisprudence, political science and the many different branches of science.
Islam enjoins Muslims to strive and attain and subsequently master the many branches of knowledge. Even though the basis for the teaching of Islam is revealed knowledge, Islam acknowledges the importance of the mind (‘aql) which is a gift to mankind from God as a “tool” in seeking the truth.
In essence, all branches of knowledge that are of use to the Muslim society must be studied. Failing to do so will result in instability, weakness and backwardness among the Muslims. As a matter of fact, it is impossible for Muslims to perform acts of worship without the necessary knowledge. To illustrate the importance of science to Muslims, perhaps it is best if we use the pillars of Islam as simple illustrations as to why science and Islam go hand in hand. Four of the five pillars daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, paying of the tithe (zakat) and pilgrimage to Mecca are acts of worship that in truth are impossible to perform without knowledge in the branches of science.
Let us begin by looking at the daily prayers. We know for a fact that Muslims must pray five times a day. In order for the daily prayers to be accepted as an act of worship to God, Muslims must face in the direction of the Kaabah in the Holy City of Mecca. For Muslims to be able to do this, they must have knowledge of Geography and Astronomy. Also, Muslims must pray at certain times in a day, hence knowledge in calculating the rotation of the earth is needed to ascertain the time for the five compulsory daily prayers.
Let us move on to another pillar of Islam, that is, fasting in the month of Ramadan. Muslims must again possess the knowledge to calculate the rotation of the earth in order to determine the time for fasting and breaking fast each day. In other words, knowledge in Astronomy is important in determining the first day of Ramadan (as well as the first day of other months of the year in the calendar of Hijrah).
The paying of tithe, better known as zakat, is another important pillar that requires scientific knowledge, specifically Mathematics. It is impossible to calculate whether a person has enough wealth to pay zakat and how much zakat to be paid without sufficient mathematical knowledge.
Another pillar of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is also equally dependent on the knowledge of science. Without ample knowledge in navigation and Geography, it is impossible for Muslims around the world to be able to congregate in the Holy City of Mecca annually for the performance of haj. Of course today, the mode of transportation has become more sophisticated. But the bottom line remains without science and technology, there would not be sophisticated modes of transportation that we have today. Looking at the importance of science in enabling Muslims to perform their acts of worship, it is therefore incorrect to dismiss science as secular, unimportant and that it could not contribute towards happiness in the next world. Instead, if one were to think carefully, science is important in the eyes of Islam and could indeed contribute towards success both in this world and the hereafter.
Imagine the rewards from God to a Muslim who studies Astronomy. This Muslim astronomer would be able to calculate and ascertain the prayer times which could be turned into a table as a reference for other Muslims. This Muslim astronomer has made it possible for countless other Muslims to perform their obligation to God.
Imagine the bounties from God to a Muslim who establishes when the first day of Ramadan begins. His contribution based on his knowledge in Astronomy would benefit everyone for they can now begin fasting without any feeling of uncertainty.
Imagine the merits that a Muslim with sound mathematical knowledge would receive from God in helping his fellow Muslims calculate the amount of zakat to be paid. Imagine also the Muslim computer programmer who develops a computer program that could calculate zakat with greater ease. Surely, such scientists and engineers are beneficial to the Muslim community at large.
Imagine what awaits the Muslim aeronautical engineer who helps maintain the aeroplane that carries thousands of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca every year. He may not be the one who performs the haj, but his knowledge in the field of aeronautical engineering has helped thousand others to do. God-willing, this Muslim engineer would receive his just rewards in the next world.
In truth, learning and mastering science is fardu kifayah (collective obligation). Fardu kifayah is a social obligation that must be undertaken by at least one member of the society. The rewards promised by God to those who carry out the tasks of fardu kifayah are greater, because the benefits are felt not just by the individual but also by all strata of society.
Therefore, it is incumbent on all Muslims to be aware of the need to master science. Muslims of yesteryear have done this. The annals of history have recorded names such as alKhawarizmi, Ibn Sina, al-Biruni, Ibn al-Haytham and many more like them. These were well-known Muslim scientists of time gone by, but their names will live on forever. Their work had laid the very foundation of modern science.
Let us take al-Khawarizmi as an example. Al-Khwarizmi developed the basis for algebra and algorithm. The word “algebra” is derived from his famous book al-Jabr while algorithm is the Latinised version of his name. One of his most important discoveries in the area of Mathematics is the number zero. Zero or its Arabic word al-sifr (better known as “cypher” in the West) is the very foundation of how computer operates. Without the zero, we would not have computer today.
This indirect contribution towards the betterment of human civilisation by Muslim scientists must never be taken lightly by Muslims of today. Instead, these scientists should be the inspiration for Muslims of today to strive and master science.
In an effort to instil awareness and motivate Malaysians, particularly Muslims, on the need to master science, the National Science Centre and Ikim have joined hands to organise a programme with the theme Islam and Science: Its Relevance Today at the National Science Centre in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, ending Nov 30.