Appreciation of Science in Al-Qur’an

Abstract

Science is knowledge related to a person’s understanding of the natural world, whereas technology is knowledge related to how knowledge of science is utilised for overall development. Science of revelation is knowledge revealed by Allah SWT to Prophets and Apostles to be conveyed to their followers as a guide to develop the self and human civilization. Throughout the history of human civilization, knowledge of science is very crucial to developing a civilization. There is no development of civilization without science and technology. But in a civilization developed by the West, revealed knowledge has no role. Instead, the presence of revealed knowledge is considered to be interfering with the smooth development of science itself. Thus, for Western scholars, revealed knowledge needs to be ignored and ruled out. Consequently, today’s development becomes lame so as to cause environmental and global warming issues without viable solutions; issues of exploitation and manipulation of natural resources so as to adversely affect the world’s economic system; and social issues which are very disgraceful, like giving birth to one who does not know how to respect his own parents. This paper expresses the position of science in revealed knowledge (al-Qur’an). This issue needs to be addressed because scientific development without religion is blind to the point that the goal of development to produce a happy and prosperous human being will not be achieved. While religion without science is equally lame, because religious demands cannot be implemented without appropriate science and technology.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p89