ISLAM AND KNOWLEDGE

Islam encourages both spiritual and scientific learning. From the earliest days of the religion, Muslims were taught to think deeply, observe the world around them, and seek knowledge. The Qur’an frequently speaks about the natural world and calls on believers to reflect on its signs. In Islam, the pursuit of knowledge is not separate from faith — it is seen as a way to understand God’s creation better. With this mindset, throughout history, scientific discovery has been an important part of Islamic civilization, driven by the belief that studying the universe and humans brings one closer to knowing the Creator.

The Qur’an and the Pursuit of Knowledge

The Qur’an places great importance on knowledge. From the very beginning, the first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was:

Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created—

created humans from a clinging clot.

Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,

Who taught by the pen—

taught humanity what they knew not. [The Qur’an 96:1-5]

This first command was not about prayer, fasting, or rituals — it was about reading, learning, and seeking knowledge. This shows that Islam began with a call to the mind. The pursuit of knowledge is encouraged and even required.

The Qur’an often speaks to both the heart and the intellect. It calls believers to think deeply, to observe the world, and to learn from what they see. It does not ask people to follow blindly, but to reflect and seek understanding.

Say, are those who know equal to those who do not know? [The Qur’an, 39:9]

This verse honors those who seek knowledge and suggests that learning brings a person to a higher level. In Islam, scholars and people of knowledge have always been respected — not only those who study religion but also those who explore the natural world, medicine, mathematics, and other sciences.

The Qur’an also encourages believers to reflect on creation — the stars, the mountains, the seas, and the human body. It describes these as “signs” of God. By studying these signs, Muslims believe they can understand the greatness, wisdom, and beauty of the Creator.

We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this [Qur’an] is the truth. [The Qur’an, 41:53]

 

Have they ever reflected on the wonders of the heavens and the earth, and everything Allah has created, and that perhaps their end is near? [The Qur’an, 7:185]

This reflection is not only a spiritual practice in the way of religion but also an intellectual one. Observing nature, asking questions, and searching for answers are all seen as ways of worship in Islam. Learning about the world is part of learning about the Creator.

The Prophet Muhammad and Knowledge

The life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) show how deeply Islam values knowledge. He lived in a time when most people in Arabia were unlettered and few valued education — yet he became a strong voice for learning, wisdom, and critical thinking.

One of the most powerful signs of this is the very first revelation he received:

Read, in the name of your Lord who created…
 [The Qur’an 96:1]

Even though the Prophet himself could not read or write, this command — “Read” — became the foundation of a message that emphasized knowledge and learning for all people.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged his companions to seek knowledge, regardless of their background, age, or gender. He is reported to have said:

Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.
 [Hadith – Ibn Majah]

He also said:

Whoever follows a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him.” [Hadith – Muslim]

These sayings show that learning is not just a worldly activity — it is a spiritual act. The Prophet made it clear that gaining knowledge, whether religious or practical, was a form of worship and a way to come closer to God.

He also taught people to ask questions, reflect on their surroundings, and avoid blind imitation. In many of his teachings, he connected knowledge with action, saying that knowledge without practice is not enough — and action without knowledge can be harmful.

The Golden Age of Islamic Science

The teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) inspired Muslims to value knowledge, observation, and discovery. This love of learning led to a remarkable period in history known as the Golden Age of Islamic Science, which lasted roughly from the 8th to the 13th century.

During this time, Muslim scholars made great contributions to many fields: medicine, mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, physics, geography, and philosophy. Cities like Baghdad, Cairo, Córdoba, and Samarkand became centres of learning. People of different faiths and cultures worked together, translating ancient Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic and building on them with new ideas.

One of the most famous centres was the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah) in Baghdad. Founded during the Abbasid Caliphate, it was more than a library — it was a research centre where scholars studied, experimented, and taught others.

Some key figures from this era include:

●     Al-Khwarizmi – known as the “father of algebra.” The word “algorithm” comes from his name.

●     Ibn Sina (Avicenna) – a doctor and philosopher who wrote The Canon of Medicine, a book used in Europe for centuries.

●     Alhazen (Ibn al-Haytham) – a pioneer in optics and the scientific method. He studied how the eye works and how light travels.

●     Al-Biruni – a scholar in astronomy, physics, and geography who calculated the earth’s radius with great accuracy.

●     Jabir ibn Hayyan – often called the “father of chemistry,” he developed early laboratory techniques still used today.        

What made this period special was the spirit of curiosity and open inquiry. Scholars asked questions, did experiments, recorded their findings, and shared knowledge freely. They believed that studying the universe was a way to understand the Creator.

This scientific legacy later influenced the European Renaissance. Many Arabic texts were translated into Latin, helping to revive learning in Europe.

From the first revealed word “Read” to the flourishing of science during the Golden Age, Islam has always honoured knowledge as a sacred pursuit. The Qur’an encourages reflection, observation, and the use of reason, while the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that seeking knowledge is a duty for every believer. The achievements of early Muslim scholars in science, medicine, and philosophy reflect this strong foundation.