1- Islam is the only religion which has elevated the status of the human mind
and declared its importance. The human mind is the faculty through which man
can be charged with duty and responsibility. It is man's intellect that
makes him acknowledge his Creator, the mysteries of creation and the Supremacy
of his Creator. The Quran addresses man's intellect and urges him to look at
the Universe and meditate upon its existence in addition to studying it for the
benefit of mankind and to strive to make the earth prosper and thrive. Moreover
there is nothing to indicate that Islam prohibits Muslims to use their sense of
judgement or that it is against scientific or academic thought.
2- It behoves us to state that Islam commands man to use his faculties of
thinking and reasoning:"Travel through the earth and see how God did
originate creation "(29/20). Islam also blames those people who do not
employ their intellectual faculties of thinking, reasoning and meditating and
the Quran describes such people as:"They have hearts where with they
understand not ,eyes where with they see not and ears where with they hear not
they are like cattle-may more misguided: for they are heedless of
warning." (7/179) Furthermore the Quran considers not using one s' sense
and reason a sin, and describes what will happen on the Day of Judgement to
those who refused to believe in God:"They will further say: Had we but
listened or used our intelligence, we would not (now) be among the
companions of the Blazing Fire''
(67/
10).
3- The faith of Islam draws mans' attention to the fact that God has made the
entire universe subservient to him. It is consequently his duty to use his
powers of intellect for the welfare of mankind and the fruitfulness of the
earth. The following Quranic verses confirm this matter:"It is he who has
produced you from the earth and settled you therein'' (11/61). Also : "And
he has subjected to you as from Him all that is in he heavens and on earth :
behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect"(45/13).
Therefore
the whole universe is a domain where man can exercise his powers of intellect
without any prohibition or opposition to his thought providing that it is for
the welfare of mankind. Everything that benefits mankind or entails prosperity
and well being is encouraged by Islam .
4-
The Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet are the two sources of the Faith of
Islam, and to follow the religious rulings and observances stated in them is
compulsory upon every Muslim. However, he is perfectly free to think, meditate,
ponder and study everything in the world in which he lives. This is what the
Prophet referred to when he said :"You are better acquainted with the
affairs in the world in which you live".
Freedom
of thought and academic or scientific research is guaranteed by Islam, provided
that it does not violate the sanctity of the Faith and its beliefs and divine
texts such as the Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet. Any attempt to
change, distort , add, omit or ridicule any of these holy texts is not only
forbidden but is an unforgivable sin. For the rest everything in the world may
be researched, studied or investigated.