Decline of Science in the Muslim World

Re: # 16

To make my question clearer, ``The development of science in the glory days of Muslim world: can it be attributed to the whole society, or was it a result of a bunch of maverick, ``outcast`` scientists?``

Exceptions aside, science develops in the presence of scientific temper. Scientific temper is another name for a cerain threshold level of respect for truth -- truth for its own sake.

When commitment to truth is made subservient to maintaining an imagined glory of religion, science will naturally wither.

---

``There was no quest for knowledge in the pre-Islamic Arabia. In fact any knowledge except that of ones tribal ancestry was derided upon`` - Asghar Ali Engineer, celebrated Islamic scholar in India (http://www.punjabilok.com/faith/islam/islamreconstruction.htm)

``To know oneself is to know God - Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)`` - Samir Sheikh, celebrated Islamic scholar and fundamental seeker on Chowk

Re: # 18

Hi buddy,
I see that you haven`t found it yet. Not doing your research, eh?
And btw, thanks for your ``accolades``, but I would appreciate if you don`t put the ``celebrated Islamic scholar`` thing after my name. I am really just a fool like you, seriously ..... no denying. Only I try my best to make myself not to look like one.
:)

samirfs

Kindly start by not actively shading the truth.

samirfs:

The Muslim philosophers were by and large freethinkers. My essay ``Skeptical and Counter-Skeptical Trends in Medieval Islam``, which I had published at Chowk described biographical profiles of four of them. The Muslim scientists were diverse people; some of them traditional believers and others broad minded. If religion is left at the personal and individual level, people find their own bearings without imposing on others. A great scientist doesn`t necessarily have to be an atheist or non-believer. Professor Salam was a self-proclaimed Muslim. The great astronomer, Ibn-al-Shatir whom I quoted in the article was a ``Muezzan`` at the great mosque of Damascus. Religion becomes oppressive when it is compulsorily umposed.

patwari:

The Islamic science is the science developed by the Muslim scientists. This is what I talked about in the article. It is different from the science that many are trying to ``Islamize.`` You must have read my article ``What is Islamization of Science?``

Wishing you all well,

Mohammad Gil

Could it be that as societies were becoming Muslim as part of Islam conquering newer
lands and people and societies in its early years, those people still had a some spark left
from original civilizations (e.g. original persian zoarastiransslowly becoming Muslim) and
as time progressed and those people and societies continued to stay Muslim, the spark
would slowly die.
Since that process (conquering and bringing newer people under its fold) has stopped,
so has any worthwhile scientific activity.

Re: # 21

``The Islamic science is the science developed by the Muslim scientists. ``

Mr. Gill

I am having a hard time digesting this sentence. To me it is just absurd.

I don`t think there is any Islamic/Hindu/Christian/Jewish/Sikh/jain science unless it is derived exclusively from the religious texts of the corresponding religion.

Lets say if Newton during his last stage of life had converted to islam, does that mean the Laws of gravity and motions would have become Islamic laws of gravity /motions or woudl have come under Islamic science?

If there was such thing as islamic science then the ulemas would been dishing out theories and formulas instead of fatwas.

Similarly, Raman effect is no Hindu science, E=mc (square) is no Jew science since these people didn`t find these effects/relationships in the religious textbooks. They just happened to be hindu and jew by birth.

As Santayana said that those who believe in god commit suicide, philosophically. I would add intellectually/scientifically too. For in science you just don`t believe something that is just said for generations, it requires hard facts.

Re: # 23

netizen,

...... i think mr gill answer is tongue in cheek ....... earlier he wrote an excellent article on this subject which exposes (nay, disrobes) quacks and charlatans (my words) like hosein nasr who attempt to ``islamize`` science ........... islamic science is like the christian science of kansas and a lot worse ....... at least, in kansas, they are trying to reconcile science with their superstitions instead of rejecting it out of hand ...............

gill sahib,

...... i hope i wasn`t too far of the mark in speaking for you ......... i read a couple of things by hosein nasr and i am convinced that the man is a religious fanatic looking for excuses ..... but then, the academia is full of people who should be on skid row living in a cardboard box ........

Netizen:

Thanks hamidm2 for clarifying my point of view. I described Islamic science as it is commonly understood and described. I didn`t say it is an accurate description. Read my article ``What is Islamization of Science?`` to better understand my viewpoint.

Mohammad Gill

i was reading this book by a mexican ``poet`` (say no to literary nafta)

he mantioned something interesting..he said that the leadership of islam moved from baghdad to dilli (or india) and many scholars, thinkers of islamic world gravitated to indian courts and patronage. however, they seemingly did not contribute anything interesting in this patronage in contrast to their achievements in baghdad.

is this true? must be the weather..

``To know oneself is to know God - Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)``

Never heard of anything along those lines in hadith or quran. Infact this statement sounds contradictory to this:


064.012
YUSUFALI: So obey Allah, and obey His Messenger: but if ye turn back, the duty of Our Messenger is but to proclaim (the Message) clearly and openly.

Gill Sahib`s insistence to look at things like science and tech. using medieval terms is getting kind of pathetic and boring. muslim and islam or christianity or hinduism is irrelevant when it comes to talking about science and its progress.
How deepseated is this urge to calibrate anything and everything newunder the sun with one`s belief system.? Why do you have to wear your religion on your sleeve all the time gill sahib?

Re: # 29

raw_dust,

``Why do you have to wear your religion on your sleeve all the time gill sahib? ``

Uh ??????? ........... did you read the article ?

yea.. is my question off-topic or something?

Re: # 31

raw,

..... maybe i don`t understand the meaning of ``wearing your religion on your sleeve`` ! ....... actually, the way i understand it, gill sahib does exactly the opposite .... no?