Islamic Perspectives on Science and Technology (eBook)

Professor Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali is Founding CEO of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia. He was Professor of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at the International Islamic University Malaysia (1985-2004), and also Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) from 2004 to 2006. Professor Kamali serves on the advisory boards of 13 local and international academic journals; addressed over 200 national and international conferences, and has published 28 books and over 170 academic articles. He is Senior Fellow of the following: Royal Academy of Jordan; Institute of Advanced Study Berlin and Afghanistan Academy of Sciences. Kamali’s works are translated into numerous languages including Arabic, German, Italian, Turkish and Japanese. He features in the book The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World (2009, 2010).  He is recipient of King Abdullah II International Award 2010 in recognition of his intellectual contributions towards serving Islam and Muslims.Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, who holds a doctorate in Islamic philosophy from Temple University, Philadelphia (USA) is currently Chair Professor and Director of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Formerly Malaysia Chair of Islam in Southeast Asia at the Prince Talal al-Waleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC he is also Emeritus Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Malaya. Dr Bakar is an author of 18 books and more than 300 articles on various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization, particularly Islamic science and philosophy in which he is a leading authority. His most well-known books are Classification of Knowledge in Islam (1992) and Tawhid and Science (1992). His latest book is titled Islamic Civilization and the Modern World: Thematic Essays (2014). He has been named several times among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world.Dr Daud Abdul-Fattah Batchelor leads the Science, Technology, Environment and Ethics unit of IAIS Malaysia where he is Associate Fellow. Daud has broad experience in industry and academia. He served as head of the PETRONAS Waste Management Unit, Malaysia and as Senior Environmental Advisor to Peabody Energy Australia. He is a Fellow and Chartered Environmental Professional with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Member, Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. With an MA in Islam and Other Civilisations and Diploma of Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, he obtained his PhD from Universiti Malaya winning the Longmans Award for outstanding research. He holds an MSc with Distinction from Imperial College of Science & Technology, London, and Master of Engineering Science in Environmental Management.  Daud taught as Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, and at University Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia. He co-founded the Islamic College of Brisbane. Associate Professor Dr. Rugayah Hashim is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.  One of her research interests includes Islamic and spiritual perspectives in humanoid-assisted social skill development of brain-impaired children. She has been appointed as the visiting research fellow by the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia from 2009-2015.

Preface 6
Contents 10
Notes on Contributors 14
Part I: Opening Section 23
Chapter 1: Introduction 24
1.1 Philosophy of Science, Cosmology and the Emergence of Biological Systems 26
1.2 Tawhidic Science: Principles 28
1.3 Tawhidic Science: General Applications 29
1.4 Tawhidic Science: Bioethics 30
1.5 Islamic Teaching of Science 32
1.6 History of Science in Islamic Civilisation 33
Chapter 2: Opening Address by Former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Chairman, IAIS Malaysia 34
Chapter 3: Science and Technology for Mankind’s Benefit: Islamic Theories and Practices – Past, Present, and Future 38
3.1 Introduction: The Role of Science and Technology in Question 39
3.2 Purposes and Benefits in Science and Technology as Value Oriented Activities 39
3.3 Relationship between Civilisational Identity and Scientific and Technological Culture: Islamic and Western Civilisations Compared 40
3.4 Islam’s Synergy with Science and Technology from a Tawhidic Epistemology and Balanced Civilisation of the Middle Path 43
3.5 Categories of Ignorance 44
3.6 Islamic Theories of Societal Roles and Benefits of S& T
3.7 Towards an Authentic Contemporary Muslim Scientific and Technological Culture: Recommendations 53
References 54
Chapter 4: The Necessity of Studying the Natural Sciences from the Qur’anic Worldview 55
4.1 Introduction 56
4.2 Fundamental Rationale from the Qur’an 56
4.2.1 The Qur’an Projects the Creed of Taw??d as the Foundation of a Comprehensive and Holistic Worldview 56
4.2.2 The Qur’an Necessitates that Taw??d Be the Metaphysical Foundation for Studying Nature and for Constructing the Islamic Philosophy of Science 57
4.2.3 Essential Knowledge regarding Reality, Truth and Falsehood, and True Purpose and Meaning of Human Existence Is Revealed by al-Qur’an 58
4.2.4 That the Whole Cosmos or Universe and Nature Were Created by God Is Affirmed by al-Qur’an 58
4.2.5 A New Revolutionary Spirit of Inquiry for Man’s Rational Quest for Knowledge and Wisdom Was Introduced by al-Qur’an 59
4.2.6 The Holistic Qur’anic Epistemology Integrates Reason with Divine Revelation 59
4.2.6.1 The Characteristics of ‘People Who Possess Sound Intellects’ (?l? al-Alb?b) 60
4.2.6.2 True Scholars and Their Special Characteristics 61
4.2.7 The Qur’an Presents a Cosmology, Which Elucidates that: (1) The Cosmos, Universe, Nature and Man Belong to God (2) The Whole of Nature ‘Submits’ to the Will of God and They All ‘Declare His Glory and Celebrate His Praise’
4.2.8 The Qur’an Obliges Mankind to Express Gratitude to God 62
4.2.9 Major Qur’anic Principles Facilitate Studying and Understanding the Cosmos and Nature 63
4.2.10 Crucial Roles of Believers (Mu’min?n) in Constructing a Virtuous Civilisation 64
4.2.11 Laws, Secrets and Benefits of Nature Are to Be Discovered and Utilised through Rational and Empirical Methods but Within the Framework of True Faith (?m?n), God-Mindfulness (Taqw?) and Absolute Monotheism (Taw??d) 64
4.3 Scientific Contributions of Islam to the European Renaissance and Relevance of the Islamic Conception of Nature to the Contemporary World According to Some Prominent Western Observers 65
4.3.1 The Self-Critical and Thought-Provoking Analysis of Prince Charles 65
4.3.2 The Frank Observations of American Business Leader, Carly Fiorina 66
4.3.3 The Remarkable Objective Observations of Robert Briffault 66
4.3.4 Eye-Opening Research Findings of Science Historian, George Sarton 68
4.4 The Rationale Resulting from Crises of Modern Science and the Environment 68
4.4.1 Subjective Values and Natural Science 70
4.5 Challenges of the Twenty-First Century for Science and Technology 72
4.6 Conclusions and Recommendations 73
References 75
Part II: Philosophy of Science, Cosmology and Emergence of Biological Systems 77
Chapter 5: Philosophy of Science in Epistemological Perspective 78
5.1 Introduction 79
5.2 The Nature and Method of Philosophy of Science 81
5.3 Philosophy of Science in a Civilisational Perspective 84
5.3.1 Epistemology as the Universal Element 85
5.3.2 Sociohistorical Factor as the Local Civilisational Element 87
5.3.3 A Brief Historical Case Study: Islamic Scientific Tradition 89
5.4 Conclusions 91
5.5 Policy Recommendations 92
References 93
Chapter 6: Rumi on the Living Earth: A Sufi Perspective 94
6.1 Introduction 94
6.2 The Living Universe 95
6.3 Relation Between Love and Evolution 96
6.4 Rumi and Mulla Sadra 97
6.5 Rumi and Darwin 98
6.6 Rumi and Bergson 100
6.7 Human Position and Role in the Universe 101
6.7.1 Human Position 101
6.7.2 Human Role 102
6.8 Conclusion 102
References 102
Chapter 7: Sayyid Qutb’s Understanding of the Universe as a Living and Meaningful World 103
7.1 Introduction 104
7.2 Qutb as Eco-thinker 106
7.3 Modern Concept of Nature as Lifeless and Meaningless 107
7.4 Pre-Islamic Arabs and Nature 108
7.5 God as the Sole Sustainer of All Creation 109
7.6 Nature Is Endowed with Life 111
7.7 Every Single Thing Extols His Glory and Praise 112
7.8 Nature as Muslim 113
7.9 Qutb and Animals 114
7.10 Water: The Source of Life 115
7.11 Conclusion 116
References 118
Chapter 8: The New Approach in Western Science Towards Understanding the Nature of Life and Mind in Terrence Deacon’s ‘Incomplete Nature’: An Analysis from Islamic Perspectives 119
8.1 Introduction 120
8.2 Brief Sketch of Deacon’s Thesis 120
8.2.1 Notions of Ententional, Constraints and Absentials in the Phenomenon of Life 121
8.2.2 The Emergence of Life and Mind 122
8.3 Deacon’s Alternative to Mind-Body Dualism 125
8.4 Analysis of Deacon’s Thesis from an Islamic Perspective 126
8.4.1 Analysis of Deacon’s Approach in Light of Iqbal’s Ideas on Life, Mind and Emergence 129
8.5 Conclusion 132
8.6 Policy Recommendations 132
References 133
Part III: Tawhidic Science: Principles 135
Chapter 9: Islam Can Give a Proper Orientation to Science and Technology Development 136
9.1 Introduction 136
9.2 The Role of Religion in Shaping Science and Technology 138
9.2.1 Emphasis on the Study of God’s Handiwork 138
9.2.2 The Role of Metaphysical Principles in Science 139
9.2.3 Ways of Knowing Nature 140
9.2.4 Response to Our Ultimate Questions 141
9.2.5 The Role of Religion in the Constructive Applications of Science 142
9.3 Conclusion and Policy Recommendations for Science and Technology Development 144
References 146
Chapter 10: Vision in Action: Operationalising the Islamisation of Science and Technology 148
10.1 Introduction 148
10.2 Premises 149
10.3 Case Studies 150
10.3.1 Technology in General 150
10.3.2 Engineering and Chemistry 151
10.3.3 Biology and Related Sciences 152
10.3.4 Medicine 152
10.3.5 Agriculture 153
10.3.6 Economy and Ecology 154
10.3.7 Mathematics 155
10.4 Conclusions and Recommendation 156
References 157
Chapter 11: Maqasid al-Shar?‘ah: A Traditional Source for Ensuring Design and Development of Modern Technology for Humanity’s Benefit 159
11.1 Introduction 160
11.2 Contemporary Technology 161
11.3 Islam, Muslims and Modern Technology 166
11.4 Relevance of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Objectives (Maqasid) of the Shar?‘ah 167
11.5 Objectives’ (Maqasid) Framework of Technological Development 169
11.6 Shar?‘ah Objectives (Maqasid) and Human Good (Ma?la?ah) Relationship 171
11.7 The Objectives’ Model 173
11.8 Objectives (Maqasid)-Oriented Values for Technology 178
11.9 Conclusion 181
References 181
Part IV: Tawhidic Science: General Applications 184
Chapter 12: Islam and the Environment: An Examination of the Source Evidence 185
12.1 The Climate Change Debate: An Overview 185
12.2 Divine Oneness (Taw??d) 188
12.3 Vicegerency (Khil?fah) 190
12.4 Trusteeship (Am?nah) 191
12.5 Building the Earth (I?m?r al-Ard?, ?Umr?n) 192
12.6 Keeping the Balance 194
12.7 Beauty and Cleanliness (Jam?l and T?ah?rah) 195
12.8 Violation and Abuse 196
12.8.1 Mischief Making and Corruption (Fas?d f?’l-Ard????) 197
12.8.2 Extravagance and Waste (Isr?f, Tabdh?r) 198
12.9 Elimination of Harm 199
12.10 Conclusions and Policy Recommendations 201
References 205
Chapter 13: Reducing Wasteful Consumption Towards Sustainability by Waste Avoidance Using Self-­Improvement (Tazkiyah) and Contentment (Qana‘ah) Approaches 207
13.1 Introduction 208
13.2 Waste Management Hierarchy, Waste Minimisation, and Waste Avoidance 209
13.3 Wasteful Consumption Patterns 211
13.4 Consumer Capitalism and Modern Marketing 212
13.5 Nature of the Human Soul (Nafs) and Desires from an Islamic Perspective 213
13.6 Shopaholism and Wasteful Consumerism 214
13.7 Islamic Teachings on Sustenance, Waste, Greed, Moderation, Self-Restraint, and Contentment 216
13.8 Interventions Towards Achieving Contentment (Tafakkur and Tazkiyah) 221
13.9 Conclusion 223
13.10 Policy Recommendations 224
References 225
Chapter 14: Integrating Spirituality into Efforts for Improving Value Chains of Farm Products 227
14.1 Introduction 227
14.2 Literature Review 229
14.3 Study Procedures 232
14.4 Results and Discussion 233
14.5 Conclusions 238
14.6 Policy Recommendations 239
References 239
Chapter 15: Neurotechnological Advances in Exploring Melodic Recitation of the Noble Qur’an: Uncovering the Neural Circuitry in the Human Brain 243
15.1 Introduction 244
15.2 Meditation and Brain Activation 244
15.3 Musical Chills for a Rhythmic Brain 245
15.4 Melodic Recitation of the Noble Qur’an (‘Qur’anic Chills’) and Brain Correlates 246
15.5 Conclusion and Policy Recommendations 247
References 248
Chapter 16: A New Quantum Theory in Accordance with Islamic Science 250
16.1 Introduction 251
16.2 Islamic Scientific Principles 251
16.2.1 One-to-One Correspondence 252
16.2.2 Pairing Concept 252
16.3 Qur’anic Scientific Analysis 252
16.3.1 Verses About the Atom 253
16.3.2 Light and Its Energy 254
16.4 Electric Unit Charge as a Source of Energy 255
16.5 Additional Electric Charges for Proton and Neutron 259
16.5.1 New Potential Energy Equation 260
16.5.2 Compatibility with Modern Physics 262
16.5.2.1 Zero Point Energy (ZPE) 263
16.5.2.2 Stern-Gerlach Experiment 263
16.5.2.3 Quarks 264
16.6 Conclusion and Recommendations 265
References 266
Part V: Tawhidic Science: Bioethics 269
Chapter 17: Breakthroughs in Biosciences and the Question of Morality: Interactions Between Ethics and Bioscience Practices 270
17.1 Introduction 270
17.2 Definition and History of Bioethics 271
17.3 Bioethical Discussions on the Interactions between Science and Ethics 272
17.4 Concluding Remarks 277
References 278
Chapter 18: Implementation of an Islamic Approach to Harm Reduction Among Illicit Drug Users in Malaysia 279
18.1 Introduction 280
18.2 Methadone Maintenance Treatment as a Harm Reduction Approach 280
18.3 Drugs from the Islamic Perspective 281
18.4 Harm Reduction from the Islamic Perspective 281
18.5 Assessment of Implementation of Harm Reduction Programme in Malaysia 283
18.6 Conclusion 284
References 284
Chapter 19: Genetically Modified Food and Humanity’s Well-Being: An Islamic Perspective 285
19.1 Introduction 285
19.2 Overview 286
19.3 Debate on the Benefits and Predicted Harms of GM Food 287
19.4 Islamic Approach Towards Food 289
19.5 Islamic Rulings on GM Food 292
19.6 GM Food and Islamic Ethics 293
19.7 Conclusion and Recommendations 294
References 296
Chapter 20: Advances in Tri-parent Baby Technology: The Bioethical Challenge for Muslims 298
20.1 Introduction 299
20.2 Mitochondria and Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 299
20.3 Tri-parent Baby Technology 301
20.3.1 A Brief History of Development 301
20.3.2 IVF Techniques Involved 302
20.3.2.1 Pronuclear Transfer (PNT) 302
20.3.2.2 Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) 302
20.4 Issues Stemming from Tri-parent Baby Technology 304
20.5 Considerations for Tri-parent Baby Technology from Islamic Perspective 305
20.6 Conclusion 307
References 307
Part VI: Islamic Teaching of Science 309
Chapter 21: Integrating the Qur’anic Worldview with the Natural Sciences: Answering the Call for Islamic Secondary Schools 310
21.1 Introduction 311
21.2 The Rationale 311
21.2.1 Qur’anic Injunction 311
21.2.2 The Reality 313
21.2.3 Western Voices on Modern (Mechanistic-Positivistic) Science 314
21.2.4 Voices from the Muslim World 318
21.3 Integration at School 319
21.3.1 Integration at School: Challenges 321
21.3.2 Field Research 321
21.3.3 Findings of Field Research 322
21.4 Proposed Science Education in Islamic Secondary Schools 323
21.4.1 The ?l? al-Alb?b Model 323
21.4.1.1 ?l? al-Alb?b 323
21.4.1.2 The Natural Science from the Worldview of the Qur’an (NSWVQ) Project 324
21.5 Conclusion 327
References 328
Chapter 22: Teaching of Values in Science: Defining Its Universal Values 331
22.1 Introduction 331
22.2 The Meanings of Science 332
22.3 What Are Universal Values That the Natural World Exhibits? 333
22.4 The Universal Values of Science and Their Theological Foundation 335
22.5 Asm?’ All?h al-H?usn? and the Universal Values of Science 337
22.5.1 Harmony and Balance 337
22.5.2 Order and Beauty 338
22.6 Recommendations on Teaching and Infusing Values into Science Curricula 341
22.7 Conclusions 343
References 343
Chapter 23: Positing a Spiritual Dimension for Science Education: Brunei Darussalam’s Experience 345
23.1 Introduction 345
23.2 Beliefs and Values in Science Education 346
23.2.1 Taw??d as the Core Belief 347
23.2.2 The Qur’an as Source of Scientific and Spiritual Knowledge 347
23.2.3 Acquiring Spiritual Lessons through Studying Natural Phenomena 348
23.3 Science Education in Brunei Darussalam 349
23.4 Conclusion 350
References 351
Chapter 24: Displayed Features of a Student with High-­Functioning Autism During Qur’anic Learning 352
24.1 Introduction 353
24.2 Methodology 355
24.2.1 Subject/Participant 355
24.2.2 Instruments 356
24.2.3 Procedure 356
24.3 Discussion 357
24.3.1 Features in Reading Al-Fatihah 358
24.3.1.1 Memorisation 358
24.3.1.2 Split Attention 360
24.3.1.3 Influence of Native Language on Skill in Reading Foreign Sentences/Verses 360
24.3.1.4 Typography in Reading 361
24.3.1.5 Hallucination 362
24.3.1.6 Problem in Understanding the Instruction 363
24.3.1.7 Echolalia 363
24.3.2 Psychology from the Islamic Perspective 364
24.3.2.1 Concept of Soul/Spirit 364
24.3.2.2 Psychology of Reading 365
24.3.3 Autism Awareness 366
24.3.4 Qur’anic Lesson Awareness for Persons with Disabilities 366
24.4 Conclusion 367
References 367
Part VII: History of Science and Technology in Islamic Civilisation 370
Chapter 25: Emotional Blasting Therapy: A Psychotherapeutic Technique Invented by Early Muslim Physicians 371
25.1 Introduction 372
25.2 Some Early Muslim Psychotherapies 372
25.3 Similar Modern Psychotherapies 374
25.4 Conclusion and Recommendations 375
References 375
Chapter 26: Tracing the History of Astrolabe Inventions Across Civilisations 376
26.1 Introduction 376
26.2 Early Astrolabe History in Greek Civilisation 377
26.3 Astrolabe Development in Islamic Civilisation 379
26.4 Early Modern History of Astrolabe in Europe 381
26.5 Conclusion 382
Appendix 1 383
References 384