Islam and Science-- By Imam Hasaan AL Banna

Imam Hassan al Banna says:just as nation needs power ,so do they need the science with which to support this power and direct it in the best possible manner ,providing them with all that they require in the way of inventions and discoveries.Islam does not reject science;indeed it makes it as obligatory as the acquisition of power,and gives it its support.It suffices to say that the very first verse of the book of Allah to be Reavealed says:

    Recite,in the name of thy Lord who created ,created man from a clot of blood .Recite for thy Lord  is the most gracious ,who taught men with the pen;taught man what he did not know.

                               (Surah al Alaq(96)ayah-1)

The Appostle of Allah stipulated as part of the ransom for the polytheists captured at Badr,one prisoner should teach ten Muslim children reading and writing.In the endeavour to wipe out illiteracy from the Ummah.Allah has not placed the learned and the ignorant equal.he (SWT) says:

      Are those who know and those who do not know equal?only those who possess understanding are mindful.

                             (Surah-az-Zumar(39),ayah-11)

Islam has given the same weight to the link of scholars as to the blood of martyrs .The Qur'an links science and power togather in two noble verses:

    From why should not a few from  every group of them march out as a party ,so that they may gain knowledge of religion and warn their people when they return to them?perhaps they will beware.O ye who believe fight those unbelievers who are close to you,and let them encounter harshness in you ,and know ye that Allah is with the god fearing.

                           (Surah Al Tawbah(9)ayah-122-123)

The Qur'an does not distinguish between the natural and religious sciences,but advocates both.It sums up the natural sciences in one verse ,by encouraging man to study them.To understand and befamiliar with the universe is a way of revering Him and a path towards knowing him.This is what the Almighty says:

   Has thou not seen Allah send down water from the sky?

                       (Suraah Fatir(35)ayah -27)

Here Allah refers to astronomy and the cosmos,and the connection between heaven and earth.Then the Almighty says:

   

And we produce their with fruits of varying colours.

                       (Suraah Fatir(35)ayah -27)

Here Allah refers to the amazing science of botany.

And among the mountains are streaks white and red,of varying colours and black.

                      (Suraah Fatir(35)ayah -27)

Here there is a refrence to the science of geology,and the different modes of strata that constitute the earth.

And of men and creatures that crawl and cattle ,in like manner of various colours.

                     (Suraah Fatir(35)ayah -28)

Here there is a refrence to the science of biology and the classification system.Do you think that these verses have left out any of the natural sciences ?To all of this the almighty adds:

The Learned among His worshippers alone Fear Allah.

                     (Suraah Fatir(35)ayah -28)

Dont you see that with such a wonderful construction of verses ,Allah commands and encourages mankind to study the universe ,placing those who have deep insight into the mysteries of the universe as those who revere and know him.