The Quran Promotes Science!

[brainpan]

I just thought this subject deserved it's own thread. Make your case, nogoodname. How does the Koran promote science?

[ultimate capita]

I cant say I now much about the topic but I have some scant knowledge on it.

The Qur’an uses the word ‘ilm for knowledge. Knowledge, as the classical Arabic dictionaries define it, is the exploration of the unknown. The Qur’an repeatedly tells believers to acquire knowledge, both of God as well as God’s creation. ‘Ilm, as used in the Qur’an, is not restricted to knowledge of God or His attributes. God has granted people the facility of (hearing), (sight) and (thought).The Qur’an describes the mysteries and wonders of nature as (ayat) or signs of God, and asks us to ponder over or to examine them because they reflect (His glory). In the Qur’an, God asks of Muslims to reflect on the cattle, the clouds, the mountains and so on, these being described as among His many signs.

I take this to be an invitation to actively study genetics, atmospheric sciences and geology and so on. If you take a tree, which Muslims take as one of God’s many signs, and examine the intricacies of its roots, how they extract water from the soil, how they produce leaves and fruits and so on, you would be led to appreciate the power and the beneficence of God.

[Izdaari]

Sounds good. What of al-Ghazali's argument that Allah is totally sovereign, and can do whatever He wants, even the logically impossible? Even not being good if He doesn't happen to feel like it? And that therefore the idea that Allah built the universe on predictable natural laws is blasphemy? I don't know that any Muslims believe that today, but al-Ghazali was taken very, very seriously in his time, which was the 12th century.

[ultimate capita]

What of al-Ghazali's argument that Allah is totally sovereign, and can do whatever He wants, even the logically impossible?
But if one is saying that Allah is all omnipotence and omniscient and all powerful would it beyond his means to do such? Furthermore what is logically impossible for you & me might not be so for Allah. So we are left with a kind relativism. And ultimately we have logical impossibilities among humans as well.

Even not being good if He doesn't happen to feel like it?

I fail to see how al-Ghazali would have known as much. How are we to judge what’s good and what’s not. Religious believers would say that ultimately what ever god does is good, if he takes life than that should not be a case of sadness but rather of celebration. All of the 3 major religions I believe subscribe to this. The worn out phrase ‘gone somewhere better’ comes to mind.

And that therefore the idea that Allah built the universe on predictable natural laws is blasphemy?

How does the above point lead to this point? Please expand.

I don't know that any Muslims believe that today, but al-Ghazali was taken very, very seriously in his time, which was the 12th century.

Indeed he was very influential and I believe his early work set the course for future Islamic philosophers. So I do think others after him expanded maybe improved his work? I don’t know for sure.

[brainpan]

I cant say I now much about the topic but I have some scant knowledge on it.Thanks for your input. For whatever reason, it seems as though the historical Muslim turned his back on a liberal search for knowledge more often than not, adding virtually no new information to the cache built up through the eons by various cultural and religious traditions. But perhaps the Islamic faith itself is not to blame for the stagnation of it's people. I've heard the argument that the Mongol invasions contributed to the problem. Hmmm. :confused: