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Islam and Science - Part 1

by Hafiz Shaid Shakoor

Ever since Islam was born, Muslims had made huge leaps forwards in the area of science.

Cities like Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Cordoba were the centres of civilisation. These cities were flourishing and Muslim scientists were paving the way for the growth of modern sciences.

Islam is a religion based upon seeking knowledge. The Holy Quran is full of verses that encourages its readers to use their intellect, to ponder, to think and to know, for the ultimate goal of human life is to discover the truth of our existence and that is none other than worshipping the oneness of Allah (subhanahu watallah). The Holy Quran speaks clearly about the purpose of creation;

“We have not created Men and Jinn but to worship me (alone).” (51:56)

It is for this reason that Muslims had this thirst to seek knowledge, particularly during the 7th-13th centuries CE. This period was known as the Golden Age of Islam. It was during this period that the greatest inventions and the most wondrous discoveries were made. Muslims led the world in all studies most importantly in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, geography, chemistry, botany and physics.

On the other hand, in Europe the situation was much different. Europe was in its Dark ages. She had no infrastructure or central government and corruption was widespread amongst the Catholic Church.

Nevertheless the Catholic Church which was the strongest institution in Europe successfully convinced Europe that the Muslims were infidels. As a result of this, Europeans viewed Islam as being culturally inferior and thus they were unable to benefit from the Golden Age of Islam.

The question that springs to mind is; what happened? The Islamic world hit the peak of its Golden Age then the Muslims fell into their own Dark Age. So was it the internal divisions within the Muslim Ummah that made us fall from our pinnacle state? So what ultimately caused the fall of the Islamic Sciences?

Inshallah in this series of articles I hope to answer some of these questions by using the works of leading Muslim personalities and contributors to the European Renaissance.

Continue to Islam and Science - Part 2