Islam is the religion of reason and conscience. A person recognizes the truth proclaimed by God through the use of his wisdom, but derives conclusion from the truth he has seen by following his conscience, upon examining the features of any given objects in the universe, even though he be not an expert in such matters, would understand that it was created by a Possessor of great Wisdom, Knowledge and Might, And, while perhaps on the earth, it is sufficient for him to understand that the world was designed to sustain life in it. Therefore, one who makes use of his reason and follows his conscience quickly apprehends the absurdity of the claim that the world came into being by chance. In brief, one who applies his mind by using these faculties recognizes God’s signs in their full clarity. A verse refers to such people in the following manner.
Those who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflects on the creation of the heavens and the earth:’ our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire
(surah Ali-Imran:191)
In the Quran, God calls on people to reflect upon and examine the signs of creation around them. The Prophet Muhammad, God’s Messenger, peace be upon him, also enjoyed people to acquire knowledge. He even stressed that it is our obligation to search for knowledge. We read the following authentic Ahadith:
Seeking of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim.
Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people.
Everyone who probes the inner-workings of the universe, living and non-living things, and considers and investigates what he sees around him, will come to know God’s superior wisdom, knowledge and eternal power. Some of the issues God invites man to ponder are pointed out I the following verses form the Quran:
Do they not look the sky above them? How We made it and adorned it, and there are no flaw in it? And the earth-We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and produced therein every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs)-to be observed and commemorated by every devotee turning (to God). And We send down from the sky rain charged with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and grain to harvests; And tall (and stately) palm-trees, with shoots of fruit-stalks, piled one over another.
(Surah Qaf: 6-10)
(Surah Qaf: 6-10)
He who created the seven heavens one above another: no want of proportion will you see in the Creation of (God) Most Gracious. So turn your vision again: do you see any flaw?
(Surah Al-Mulk:3)
(Surah Al-Mulk:3)
Now let man but think from what he is created!
(Surah At-Tariq:5)
Do they not look at the camels, how they are made? And at the sky, how it raised high? And at the Mountains, how they are fixed firms? And at the earth, how it is spread out?
(Surah Al-Ghashiyah:17-20)
As the above verses make clear, God summons mankind to study and examine various aspects of the world, such as the heavens, rain, plants, animals, birth and geographical landmarks. One way to explore these is, as we previously mentioned, through science. Scientific observation introduces man to the mysteries of creation, and Ultimately, to God’s eternal knowledge, wisdom and power. Science is the way to achieve a just estimate of God, for which reason, throughout history, great number of the scientists who have been of great service to humanity were devout believers in God.
