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Science and the Muslim Ummah 2 - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Science and the Muslim Ummah 2 2021-06-24 425 Views Muslim Ummah In this part of the topic “Science and the Muslim Ummah,” we shall look at the necessity of learning other sciences based on the Qur’an and the traditions (hadiths) The Necessity of Learning Other Sciences There is no difference of opinion on the necessity of acquiring knowledge related to religious studies.

Therefore, we shall abstain from any further discussion of the subject. (1) Instead, it is worthwhile to concentrate on the question of the necessity of learning other sciences in the view of the Qur’an and Sunnah. In this regard, there are a number of argu­ments whose discussion we shall take up immediately: 1.

If knowledge of science is a preliminary requirement for attaining an Islamic goal as envisaged by the Shari ah, its pursuit is an obligation (wajib) since it entails the preliminary condition for the fulfilment of a duty prescribed by the Shari`ah. For example, the physical welfare of individuals in an Islamic society is necessary, hence it is a wajib kifa’i for Muslims to study medicine.

Some are of the opinion that in this context, the duty to learn any specific science depends on the need of society for it. For example, in our day, in order to succeed in large-scale agriculture or commerce, specialized knowledge of these subjects is necessary. Accordingly, it is a wajib kifai for Muslims to acquire a speciality in these fields.

Evidently, if the Muslims restrict themselves to the religious sciences and limit themselves to a minimum of what is necessary for their survival, they can never hope to overtake the non-Muslim world in its scientific progress. 2.

The society envisioned by the Qur’an is an independent society of majesty and grandeur, not one subservient to and dependent on the unbelievers, as can be seen from this verse of the Quran: and Allah does not grant the unbelievers any way (of domination) over the believers.

(2) In order to realize this goal set by the Qur’an, it is essential that the Islamic society should have cultural, political and economic independence; this, in turn, necessitates the training of specialists of high calibre in every field and the creation of the necessary scientific and technical facilities in Islamic societies.