A protector of the poor, a promoter of science and logic, and a maintainer of peace. While it may sound like I’m describing an influential role model or a Nobel prize winner, I’m describing Islam – a religion that has become a scapegoat for tragic events such as terrorism and riots, especially in the Western world. Throughout history, the Quran has been a constant promoter of humans using logical reasoning and science to justify conclusions, and some of the most revolutionary scientific innovations have come from Muslim scholars. Though the Western world often labels Islam as an extreme and barbaric religion, the emphasis on using logic-based reasoning in the Quran, the revolutionary scientific advancements made by Muslim scholars following hadiths, and the ideals of tolerance between monotheistic religions promoted by the prophet Muhammad all prove that Islam is a peaceful and enlightened religion.

 

Emphasis on logic and reasoning

 

To begin, it is important to establish that Islam is a religion that heavily encourages logic-based reasoning. Abdul Karim Abdullah’s article, “Strengthening critical thinking skill among Muslim students.” takes verses from the Quran and breaks down their meaning. Abdullah writes, “Islam is a “religion of reason” There is nothing in the Qur’an that is “contrary to reason” Islam “is not based on mystic dogmatism but is always open to critical inquiry of reason” The Qur’an encourages us to use “our powers of reasoning […] to the best of our ability and knowledge” It frequently uses expressions such as: “those who exercise their intellect” (ya’qilun) “those who think” (yatafakkarun) “those who know” (ya ‘lamun) “those who ponder” (yatadabbarun) “those who understand (yafqahun) The Qur’an censures people who do not think…” (Abdullah, 650)

 

 

This is an excerpt from the article which states facts from the Quran. From the excerpt, we can derive that the Quran describes Islam to be a religion of reason and frequently mentions those who are out to seek information by use of different Arabic terms. Because the Quran frequently mentions and praises those who “exercise their intellect” and use their “powers of reasoning,” it isevident that Islam is a religion that heavily promotes and encourages its followers to use their intellect and logical reasoning to reach conclusions. The article also brings up another quote from the Quran: “For the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb, –those who understand not.” This displays that the Quran not only praises those who use logic and reasoning to conclude, but it also condemns arrogance and ignorance, nothing them to be the worst in the sight of God (Allah).

 

A promoter of innovation

 

Given that the Quran heavily emphasizes logic-based reasoning and condemns those who remain arrogant and ignorant, there have appeared many Muslim scholars over the year who havemade massive innovative contributions to society. Adel Al-Sharaf’s article, “Developing scientific thinking methods and applications in Islamic education” traces Islamic scholarship to itsearly and medieval roots and compiles some of the innovations made to the theory of epistemology and scientific thinking. One of the most significant points brought up in the article is the fact that the modern scientific method was pioneered by early Islamic scholar Ibn Al- Haytham who was also known as “Alhazen” (Al-Sharaf, 276) The scientific method is central to all forms of innovation, ranging from building bridges to creating medicine – thereby, it can be said that the scientific method which was made by a Muslim scholar has saved countless lives over generations. The article uses this point to segway into the idea that “most science historians maintain the view that the acquisition of knowledge and scientific pursuit, in general, is not in disaccord with Islamic thought and religious belief. This displays that the teachings of Islam do not contradict the scientific goal to better understand the world around us and that the encouragement of science in the Quran has encouraged Muslim scholars over generations to make innovations leading to the betterment of society and the protection of many lives.

 

 

A keeper of peace

 

Muslim scholars also use science to promote their inner peace and happiness by using it as a means to justify ideas in religion. The YouTube video, “Hardships in Life Start from The Point Of Birth” Is a lecture given by Mufti Menk (Mufti meaning a professional Jurist who interprets Islamic Law) in which he explains that God (Allah) is merciful in the sense that he has given the human body the ability to adapt to any situation no matter the circumstances. He uses the scientific idea that humans can adapt to extreme climates to make it easier to sustain life, stating that Allah has gifted the human body with the ability to survive even the hottest and coldest of climates (Menk, 7:20). Because the idea is established that the human body can adapt to any situation as Allah has allowed it to do so leads to a reduction in the feeling of being overburdened or depressed as Muslims are confident Allah has given them the ability to get through any situation which they may encounter. The use of science to verify the intentions of Allah stated in the Quran, and then using that to promote inner peace among Muslims proves that Islam is a religion that heavily values science, human emotion, and human life.

 

Islam has not only contributed to the betterment of society and the protection of lives through science but also through the message of peace. Benjamin Tua’s article, “Learning About Islam: From Ignorance to Understanding” discusses the historical development of ideas in Islam and brings up similarities between Islam and other religions. For example, the article talks about the Pagan and Christian concepts of “just war” and the Zone of Peace – which are both ideas that exist in Islam with the zone of peace being the Kaaba, and the ideas and principles of just war being stated in the Quran (Tua, 1). The article discusses the idea that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) promoted peace between monotheistic religions by pointing out the similarities between them, stating: “Mohammad argued that Christians and Jews recognize their common biblical roots and respect the sanctity of churches and synagogues, safeguarding them and entering them in reverence” (Tua, 2). Because the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) promoted peace between other monotheistic religions, and the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is said to be the messenger of God (Allah) in Islam, it can be said that Islam is a religion that promotes peace regardless of religion.

 

The prophet Mohammad not only promoted peace among those of other religions but also was the promoter of justice for the poor during his own time. How Islam Began – In Ten Minutes Is a Ten-Minute YouTube video by the award-winning channel, TrueTube, with summarizes the basic journey of the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) during the founding of Islam. The video brings up the point that in the early days of Meccah, those who could afford bodyguards were the ones in power, which meant that only the wealthy, and those with close ties to the wealthy were protected (TrueTube, 0:38). As a result, the wealthy were worshipped as if they were Gods by the lower class. The Prophet Mohammad instead stated that it was God (Allah) whom they should be worshipping, throwing away the entire corrupt wealth-based power dynamic, and going to war with the wealthy Meccans to whom he opposed. After his eventual victory, the prophet refused to execute the Meccan soldiers despite their initial pleas that they are executed quickly. This is an example of the prophet Mohammad promoting justice by standing up for the lower class in Meccah and also promoting peace by sparing the lives of the Meccan soldiers although they had so harshly opposed the prophet’s message. Since the prophet is said to be a role model for all Muslims, it can be said that Islam is a religion that promotes its followers to seek peace and justice.

 

 

From the previous paragraphs, a few key facts have been established. The Quran itself praises those who actively seek new information and condemns those who remain arrogant and ignorant. Some of the most important scientific innovations, such as the scientific method, were created by Muslim scholars. Islam promotes the idea that a Muslim cannot be overburdened as Allah does not challenge any Muslim with more than he can bear leading to a feeling of inner peace. And The prophet Mohammad was a voice for the lower class living in Meccah who promoted justice and also promoted peace between monotheistic religions by pointing out their similarities. In summary, Islam can be said to be a religion that promotes science, logic-based reasoning, inner peace, justice, and peace within communities – all of which are ideals sought after in modern-day society. While it’s unrealistic for the entire world to convert to Islam if it’s true ideals and intentions were shown in the media instead of the brutal extremist view that the media provides, likely, the instances of hate crimes against Muslims and Muslim communities would dramatically decrease, leading to more peaceful societies.

 

 

 

 

WORKS CITED

 

 

Al-Sharaf, Adel. “Developing scientific thinking methods and applications in Islamic education.” Education, vol. 133, no. 3, spring 2013, pp. 272+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A357760557/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark- AONE&xid=b266af8e. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

 

 

Tua, Benjamin. “Learning About Islam: From Ignorance to Understanding.” American Diplomacy, Sept.2019. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A600038250/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark- AONE&xid=1ae00f01. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

 

 

“The All-Loving” “Hardships in Life Start From The Point Of Birth” YouTube, 14 Jan. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjIXCEtDi7M. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022

 

 

“TrueTube.” “How Islam Began – in Ten Minutes.” YouTube, 18 Jan. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDxKxnVZtgo. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.

 

 

Abdullah, Abdul Karim “Leslie Terebessy”. “Strengthening critical thinking skills among Muslim students.” Islam and Civilisational Renewal, vol. 1, no. 4, July 2010, pp. 649+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A270895981/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=bookmark- AONE&xid=964fdb39. Accessed 24 Oct. 2022.