IntroductionIt is a fact that nobody can deny that Islam used to rule the world where in that time the non-Muslim is the one who left behind in every single fields especially knowledge, civilization and worldly achievements. At that time, Islam has been the one who leads in every field of knowledge including science, architecture, arts and others. There are numerous evidences found supporting this fact and it has been preserved and past along from one generation after another until today. However, being realistic in today’s world, we found that Islam has no longer become famous with prosperity as it used to especially in the field of knowledge. One of them is Islamic science.
For all we know, Islamic science, however, has gone through its declining periods; therefore, the most significant question for every Muslim should have a thought of in their mind is that: how we Muslims achieved the scientific progress and civilization then subsequently we lost it. In other words: what was the main factor behind flourishing of Islamic science? Discussion of this issue is necessary because awareness of factors behind flourishing of Islamic science, as well as that caused to its decline, is a crucial step to any attempt for reconstruction of Islamic science.
Actually, our Muslim scientists have contributed a lot to the developing of scientific progress which led to the flourishing of Islam. Unfortunately, our generation today has fail to appreciate that fact and if this condition continues without having it fixed, there’s more likely that Islam would forever never finds it path to prosper and flourish like it used to!
Factor one: Al-Qur’an and Sunnah of the ProphetAs a matter of fact, when it comes to the scientific progress of Muslim scientists during the flourishing of Islam, there are many historians of science who noted various platforms and common grounds that led Islamic scholastic to the success. Among of them is the unity of their worldview and their source of knowledge, which is the Quran and hadith of the prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) which also emphasized on knowledge inquiry. Quranic revelation has become the primary source of the Islamic civilization. Since the existence of Quran, this divine guidance has lead and guide individual and social life of the Muslim community. The practice of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W (sunnah) on the other hand also plays major roles in Islamic civilization and Muslim communities all around the world. Hence, the tradition in Muslim educational system begins with learning and memorizing the Quran. The purpose of this is to create a person who conducts life of piety and strictly following Islamic laws.
The learning in Islam traditional system does not stop only here, in fact, Islam tradition of learning includes various branches such as in medicine, astronomy, engineering, mathematics, botany, human science, physics, and various other disciplines which existed in an interconnected form and in concord with each other. Knowledge was acquired not by itself but through means and involves period of apprenticeship, reverence and respect for teachers. The purpose of seeking knowledge is to gain pleasure of Allah and as religious act (ibadah). However, the purposes of acquiring knowledge nowadays among Muslim are merely for the gains of this temporary world and for the sake of getting a job. This is different from the objectives of previous Muslim scholars in which they seek knowledge because seeking knowledge is compulsory (fardhu) to each Muslim and they learnt to understand the nature of this life and universe. This Islamic traditional education system has created generation of educated Muslim who is with knowledge and committed to their religious beliefs.
The Qur`an and the traditions of the Prophet are saturated with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason . However, this Islamic emphasis on knowledge inquiry can be simply put as the Qur`an has been inspiring and motivating the Muslims especially the scientific scholars for seeking the knowledge. This is actually among the common ground that Muslim scientists share in achieving scientific progress and later on develop prosperity and success in their time.
The Qur`an stimulates interest in scientific investigation, through various means, such as exploration on natural phenomena, study of historic events and human self. The crucial strategy of the Qur`anic stimuli for knowledge inquiry, however, is clearly demonstrated in its motivation of man to practice the creative thinking;
“Are the blind man and who sees are equal? You don’t think?” (6:50),
“You request others to conduct rightly while you forget to practice it yourselves and yet you studding the Scripture? Do you not understand?” (2:44),
“Do they not look at the Camel how it is made? And at the Sky how it is raised high? And at the Mountains how they are fixed firm? And at the Earth how it is spread out?” (88: 17-20)
The holy Qur`an frequently raised such thought provocative questions to human intellect, not to seek simple answers, but for creative and critical thinking. The Qur`an motivates people to practice critical thinking, not to follow views of others blindly without valid reasons. It liberates man even from his own self. In the Qur`an, Allah invites people to reject blindly accepting the beliefs and values society imposes upon them and ask them to ponder by pushing aside all the prejudices, constraints on their minds. Freedom of intellect in the Islamic worldview, therefore, exists within the framework of belief system (Iman), to follow its course into the entire knowledge activities. In other wards, the Islamic worldview has an epistemological content.
Motivated by such Qur`anic revelation Muslim scientists devoted themselves in knowledge inquiry of higher learning. Al-Khawarizmi, for instance, laid dawn the foundations of modern algebra in his (Muggdimah fil al-Jabr wal muqabalah); al-Battani measured the solar year as being only 24 seconds longer than the current accepted value; al-Khazini in his (The Books of Balance of Wisdom) was the first to introduce the concept of centre of gravity; Ibn Sina’s Qanun fi tibb (Canon of Medicine) was the standard medical text in Europe for some 800 years. Muslim scholars, through such great works, have provided the world with major contributions to mathematics, algebra, trigonometry, chemistry, physics and medicine. Their works were behind a civilization that surpassed all others in its prosperity and achievement. For these scholars, science was an integral component of faith and equivalent to worship. They were certain that when you know more you can see more evidence of God, as
the holy Qur`an pointed out;
“Those truly fear Allah among His Servants who have knowledge” (35:28)
The same motives led to the establishment of education centres and institutes of higher learning, such as al-Azhar in Egypt which was the first university in the world, al Shammsiyyah observatory, the first of its kind, and the celebrated Baitul Hikmah (House of the Wisdom) in Baghdad, which was great center for knowledge and cultural activities.
It is obvious the Qur`anic motivation for knowledge inquiry is based on four components:
First: The emphasis on freedom of human intellect “Are the blind man and who sees are equal? You don’t think?”.
Second: Adoption of accurate scientific method via rejection of all hinders of true investigation on knowledge inquiry, such as superstitious beliefs.
Third: Thought provocation, “Do you not understand?”.
Fourth: Empirical test “Do they not look at the Camel how it is made?”.
It is clear, from this Qur`anic approach, there is nothing in Islam hinders knowledge inquiry or against development of science and technology.
Factor two: The unity of languageMuslim scientists share other significant elements of knowledge inquiry, such as unity of scientific terms that offered by unity of language (Arabic). Being the language of the holy Quran, Arabic language became a common language used by speakers of different languages. However, in countries where it was not the daily spoken language, it was generally taught at the elementary level and those who continued their studies beyond the basic level constantly learned it as the language of scholarship. This shared language was the single most important medium of communication in the Muslim world. This enables sharing and spreading of scientific progress among people of all regions. For example, Indian Muslim can communicate with an Egyptian trader or a fellow student in a language that is not foreign to either of them. More than the just a language, it was also a sharing in the flow of ideas, concepts, technical terminology, metaphors and parables. It is like a river of wisdom and the teachings of the ancestors nourished generation after generation in all regions of the Muslim world which further lead to development of scientific progress in Islamic civilization.
According to John Perkins, success of Islam was, also, due to its provision of a common language and its moral code which provided a great advance over tribal culture, assisting commercial relations, trade and trust between traders .
Factor three: the unity of brotherhoodAnother common ground of Muslim scientist is the concept of unity among Muslim (ummah) and strong brotherhood bond. With this concept, Muslim societies work as units of a larger community and this concept of community surpassed national, ethnic, and also regional barriers. There are certain centres of learning that were open to all Muslims which nourished the intellectual tradition. For examples, there is Makkah and Medina, two sacred cities for all Muslim which nurture a spiritual unity among Muslim when they go for Hajj and Umrah. Through constant interactions, the transnational concept of Ummah was further strengthened. These centres not only serve as place for religious acts but also provide a forum for Muslim scholars to discuss and exchange ideas and knowledge that affected the whole community. Thus, when the scholars and pilgrims returned to their respective regions, they had knowledge of developments in other regions. This contributes to the spread of knowledge and scientific findings all over Islamic communities in which later used to improve their quality of life as well as improving scientific progress in the Islamic civilization.
The Characteristic of Islamic civilizationWhen we discuss about the common ground of Muslim scientist that set a foundation of scientific progress, it is important to look on the characteristic of Islamic civilization as well. The relationship can simply be understood that the characteristics are shaped by those common grounds. When we look into the history, one cannot fail to recognize the importance posed by Islamic civilization towards humanity. Islamic civilization has set a firm foundation which modern science nowadays are build upon.
Before we move into further discussion, it is important that we are clear with the definition of civilization. Ibn Khaldun, in his monumental book Al-Muqaddimah, defines civilization as sophistication and luxury and the mastery of crafts used to advance it in various aspects such as cooking, clothes, decoration, architecture, and all social situations. He further argues that civilization is the supplementary welfare added to the basics of life for any human society.
Based on that, it can be understood that civilization consists of interaction between various cultures, of various people differing in origin and geographical locations. It then being merged together and constituted what we call the civilization.
Islamic civilization, when being put under the lens of history and comparison, is unique not only by its nature, but also by the vast array of diversity that unify under one central theme; the faith to Allah. It is the outcome of interaction between the cultures of the people who converted to Islam, either by faith or out of allegiance and affiliation.
Based on the broad and comprehensive concept, we can see that Islamic civilization is not the property of a specific race, nor it is a national civilization belonging to a specific people. It is rather a comprehensive civilization which encompasses all the races and ethnic groups that contributed to the rise, prosperity and radiance of this civilization, as well as its expansion and influence throughout the world for centuries.
When discussing about Islamic civilization, there are five main characteristic that distinguishes it from other civilizations. The first one is the fact that it is a civilization based on Islamic faith and influenced by its values and principles. The firm belief in oneness of God has provided a sturdy religious foundation which man can build his worldly matter, all according to the teachings of Islam. This is in fact a strong factor which made Islamic civilization flourished for centuries.
The second characteristic is its being a civilization with human, universal dimension, and not associated with a particular geographic region, race or historical area. Although Islam emerged within the Arabic peninsular, the advancement of civilization is not dominated by Arabic people, but rather throughout the Islamic empire. They considered the pursue of knowledge as an act of worship, and since all Muslims are brothers, the achievements are associated with Islam rather than based on race or tribe.
The third characteristic is its being generous civilization which drew the human civilizations and cultures experienced by peoples of the ancient world, while contributed to the advancement of science, knowledge and the value of justice, equality, beauty and virtue. Islam never discriminates human beings; all are equal in the sight of Allah. Its output benefited humanity at large, regardless of race, color or even religion. Muslims and non Muslims, be they Christians, Jewish or pagans, coexisted together within the Islamic civilization.
The fourth characteristic is its being a well-balanced civilization which secures fair equilibrium between the materialistic and the spiritual sides with exemplary moderation that has always been a characteristic of Islamic thought and a distinctive feature of the Islamic civilization throughout its history. The path of moderation is always the best path in Islam. Extreme sides, whether towards worldly matters or religious, are prohibited.
The fifth characteristic is its being a perennial civilization which will last as long as Islam, because it is based on the very principles of Islam which Allah will preserve eternally. The teachings and principles of Islam never withers, since it is not based on racial or regional, nor does it depends on human nature. Thus, the roots of Islamic civilization are always sound and viable.
ConclusionDue to all these factors, and based on the Qur`anic emphasis on knowledge inquiry, respecting learning, and forbidding the destruction, Muslim scholars were able to develop moral code of knowledge exploration, and sense of respect to authority of knowledge, discipline, and tolerance to other views. Based on this discipline of knowledge inquiry, Muslim intellect became the reference to the world for science, technology, and development. Muslim scholars of today might not aware of the crucial role that these factors play in knowledge progress, but it was clearly noted by historians of science. Thus, it is up to us Muslims to revive the grandeur and flourishing of scientific legacy in Islamic civilization.
