What are the difference between Islam and Science?

The Only Religion that Encourages Research, Education, and Development. Islam is a religion followed by billions across the globe. Islam and science have always been gathered as inseparable. No better example is present in the history of mankind that links both Islam and science together as one than the sayings of the Holy Prophet PBUH. It is narrated that the Holy Prophet is reported to have said, “Wisdom is the lost property of the believer.” This statement and many others are given by the Prophet are clear examples that the human race should enrich their knowledge from an array of different sources. Certain scientific information has been gathered for a more comprehensive and clear understanding of the Quranic text. For this reason, Muslim believers are required to have sound knowledge that embraces scientific disciplines.

Islam And Science

Seeking Knowledge in Islam

The Holy Prophet states, “Whoever follows a path of seeking knowledge, Allah will make his path to Paradise easy.” Despite contrary belief, scientific knowledge is a thorough reflection of God. This is the main reason all believers of Islam have a moral as well as a religious duty to seek knowledge.  Not only will this provide great benefit in worldly gains, it will also help to create a better understanding of the Hereafter.

Creation of Universe

“Your Lord is God who created the heavens and the earth in six days.” (Surah Al-Araaf) This verse depicts the creation of the universe in a certain duration but unlike the Bible, it doesn’t specify the sequence. In Surah Fatihah, the verses are in a perfect amalgamation that depicts ideas about the existence of the primary nebula, while Surah Al- Furqan shows an intermediary creation between the heavens and the earth.

Astronomy Islam and Science

“Did you see how Allah created the 7 heavens, one above the other, and made in them the neon light and the sun a lamp.” Astronomy is a diverse subject that covers a vast array of topics. A wrong belief is put up by Westerners that states nothing is unusual in this field as it was the Arabs who made great discoveries in it. This is not correct as Quranic revelations came well before those discoveries were made.

Geology Islam and Science

“Have you not seen that Allah sent rain down from the sky and caused it to penetrate the ground and come forth as springs, then He caused crops of different colors to grow.” This verse might seem like it is explaining something quite natural but in reality, these geological concepts were not known to a man long ago. In that time period, little was known about scientific concepts. Myths and history were used to make judgments. The Quran and science give special importance to the water cycle in nature. Other examples can be related to soil and irrigation that again were not very common at that time.

Physiology Islam and Science

“Verily in the cattle, there is a lesson for you. From the insides is a conjunction of the contents of the intestine and blood at the level of the intestinal wall itself.”(Quran-16:66, Surah Al- Nahl) For those that understand, it comes as no surprise that the Quran discussed milk and its constituents well before science established the presence of internal organs and the circulatory system.

Botany

… and of all fruits (God) placed (on the earth) two pairs.” (Surah Ar-Ra’ad- Quran 13:3) During the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s time, the science of botany was rarely established. No one knew from where the fruit came from and whether or not plants had a female or male part.

Embryology

“Verily, I created humankind from a small quantity of mingled fluids.” (Surah Al- Insaan, Quran 76:2) There is a multitude of examples that are present in the Quran that illustrates human biology and the concept of fertilization. However, at that time, the concept of embryology was unknown to man and only when the establishment of basic sciences was done did man get a thorough understanding of reproduction and sexual behavior.

Chemistry

“He is the one who has set free two kinds of water, one sweet and palatable, the other bitter.” Chemistry is again a vast topic to cover overall. From chemicals and reactions to the creation of life, Islam has made the concepts of Chemistry evident in Quranic verses. This was long before scientists went on to give chemistry a true name.

Science and Islam go a long way when it comes to understanding concepts with a clearer perspective. There are numerous examples in the Quran that have hinted at basic scientific facts that were not known ages ago. For this reason, we can conclude that both Islam and science are necessary counterparts in life.