A religion which claims the ability to bring about...

A religion which claims the ability to bring about condi­tions for perfect felicity of mankind and considers itself to be self­-sufficing cannot estrange itself from things which play a vital role in the provision of welfare and independence for an Islamic society.

Accord­ing to the late Mutahhari, "Islam's all-inclusiveness and finality as a religion demands that every field of knowledge that is beneficial for an Islamic society be regarded as a part and parcel of the "religious sciences." [^13] Group of Sciences and their Scope Besides, we think that the group of sciences belonging to the cate­gory of wajib kifa'i is much more larger than what Al-Ghazzali would have us believe.

Moreover, we think that the parsimony he shows regarding those sciences which may be included in this category, does not harmonize with the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet's sunnah. [^14] Our reasons for not accepting such restrictions on learning are as follows: In most of the Quranic verses and traditions, the concept of `ilm (knowledge) appears in its absolutely general sense, as can be seen from examples given below: Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike?

(39:9) (God) taught man what he knew not. (96:5) And He taught Adam all the names; then showed them to the angels, saying: "Tell me the names of these, if you are right."(2:31) Anyone who pursues a course of acquisition of knowledge, God will ease his eventual access to paradise. (prophetic tradition; source: Munyat al-Murid, p . 12, Najaf A.H. 1370) Similarly other Quranic verses and traditions confirm that knowledge does not mean only learning of the principles and laws of the Shari'ah.

We may note some further examples: And certainly We gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and both (the apostles) said: `All praise is God's who made us to excel many of His believing servants. And Solomon succeeded David and he said: `O people! We have been taught the language of the birds, and we have been granted (plenty) of everything; surely, this is manifest grace (of God)'. (16:15) We see that these two prophets consider the knowledge of the language of birds to be a Divine blessing.

Do you not see that God sends down water from the shy, then We bring forth with it fruits of various colours, and in the mountains are streaks, white and red and of various colours and others intensely black?