Islam Can Give a Proper Orientation to Science and Technology Development

Abstract

In this article, the issue of how Islam can give a proper orientation to science and technology is considered. The position is first taken that science has a longitudinal relationship with religion, i.e. scientific activity is a specific kind of religious activity and the Islamic worldview engenders a suitable comprehensive framework for scientific work and its applications. This provides five roles for religion in scientific activity: firstly, it gives an impetus for the exploration of nature as the Handiwork of God; secondly, it provides a metaphysical basis for science; thirdly, it supplies a suitable epistemology for science; fourthly, it answers questions which are brought up in science, but science per se cannot answer; and finally, it gives a proper direction to applied science and technology (S&T). Under the inclusive Islamic worldview, S&T should be used for understanding God’s magnificent creation and for securing human felicity at both the individual and societal levels. Some policy recommendations are provided for S&T development in the Islamic world.