EXHORTATIONS TO THE SCIENCES
"The stress which the Holy Qur'an has laid on the scientific study of
the universe is a phenomenon unique in the religious literature of
the world. Repeatedly it calls our attention to the multifarious
phenomena of nature occurring around us. Repeatedly it exhorts the
Muslims that the pursuit of scientific knowledge is one of their
religious duties. Repeatedly it emphasises the great truth unknown
to the pre-Qur'anic world that everything in nature is for the service
of man and should be harnessed by him for his use. It exhorts us to
study the structure and function of the human organism, the
structure, functions and distribution of animals, the form, structure,
functions, classification and distribution of plants, and these are
problems of BIOLOGY.
"It exhorts us to study the order of nature and the general
properties of matter as affected by energy, which is the problem of
modern PHYSICS.
"It exhorts us to study the properties of substances both elementary
and compound and the laws of their combination and action one
upon another which is the problem of modern CHEMISTRY.
"It exhorts us to study the structure and mineral constitution of the
globe, the different strata of which it is composed, the changes that
take place in its organic and inorganic matter, etc, etc., which are the
problem of modern GEOLOGY.
"It exhorts us to study the general description of the earth, its
physical divisions into seas, rivers, mountains, plains, etc., and the
minerals, plants and animals in each, and its political divisions which
are the problems of modern GEOGRAPHY.
"It exhorts us to study the causes which bring about the alternation
of day and night, the variation of the seasons, the movements of the
planets and other celestial phenomena, which are the problems of
modern ASTRONOMY."
"It exhorts us to study the movements of winds, the formation and
evolution of clouds and the production of rain, and other similar
phenomena, which are the problems of modern METEOROLOGY."

"The intellectual upheaval created by Islam was a gigantic one.
There is not a single department of learning which the Muslim
scholars have left untouched and which they have not carved out a
high position for themselves.
"In truth, Islam intends the Muslim community to be a community of
intellectuals, and the cultivation of science and all other forms of
learning is one of the primary aims of Islam. Had it not been for the
Muslims, Europe would never have seen its way to the Renaissance
and the modern scientific era would never have dawned. Those
nations who have received their knowledge of science from Europe
are in fact indirectly the disciples of the Islamic community of the
past. Humanity owes to Islam a debt which it can never repay and
gratitude which it can never forget."

"Before I conclude, let me affirm once more that the Muslim
community is out and out a creation of Islam which in its turn is
rooted in Divine revelation. Nothing but belief in and the practice of
Islam can make an individual a Muslim. Islam has laid it down as a
religious duty that a Muslim should enquire into the reality of objects
around him, so that his scientific enquiry may lead him to the
knowledge of his Creator. Scientific enquiry in Islam is not an end
but a means to the attainment of a higher end. And this is really the
true end of humanity. 'TO ALLAH WE BELONG AND TO ALLAH IS OUR RETURN'