MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURABAYA—The emerging challenges in science, particularly physics and biology, urges Muslims to reconcile rationality and faith.
A member of the Muhammadiyah Council for Islamic Thought and Judgment Agus Purwanto, also known as Gus Pur, mentioned that integrating Islamic values into science is an effort to blend scientific understanding with religious principles. This mainly centers on two crucial realms: physics and biology, in which religion and science intersect.
Gus Pur pointed out two emerging core issues in those two fields: the universe’s origin explored in physics and the identity of the first human probed in biology. These queries trigger profound reflection and urge consideration of how scientific inquiry and religious convictions can either harmonize or clash in quests for answers.
“The endeavor to integrate Islamic values with scientific knowledge usually focuses on physics and biology because they closely relate to religious aspects,” said Gus Pur at the Fajr preaching at Masjid Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) on Tuesday (August 8).
These challenges also prompt religious leaders, including Muslims, to revive and reinterpret Islamic teachings alongside scientific advancements. Notable works, like Gus Pur’s “Ayat-Ayat Semesta” and Nidhal Guessoum’s “Islam’s Quantum Question: Reconciling Muslim Tradition and Modern,” highlight efforts to connect Islamic tradition with modern science.
The Congruence of al-Qur’an and Science
Surah Al-Hadid, which translates to “iron”, presents a thought-provoking insight from Gus Pur. It is discovered that the atomic number of iron in the periodic table and the number of the word “Allah” are similar. It is either a mere coincidence or a miraculous sign, but it encourages Muslims to contemplate the correlation between religion and science.
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26, while the count of the word “Allah” in surah al-Hadid is also 26. Regardless of the interpretation, it indicates the alignment between the physical and spiritual aspects or science and religion. Integrating science and religion can reconcile rational exploration and unwavering faith despite differing approaches and terms.
The interaction of religion and science in Islam presents challenges and opportunities to deepen our understanding of the universe’s origins and human existence. Interpreting religious teachings through modern science is a significant step toward embracing the complexities of our world while honoring spirituality and foundational beliefs.
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