Islam and Contemporary Science: Partners, Enemies or Strangers?

83:26

4 Apr 2018

Astronomy, Miracles / I'jaz

Nidhal Guessoum

Stefano Bigliardi

Nidhal Guessoum, author and astrophysicist from Algeria, joins moderator Stefano Bigliardi (a well-published author also) to answer prepared questions from students at al-Akhawayn University in Morocco.

The questions generally ask about different aspects of science and Islam, as Guessoum is well known for his book, Islam’s Quantum Question (2011).  The first questions address issues of the magisteria of science and religion.  Guessoum notes that he prefers to consider how to harmonize the two rather than seeing them as non-overlapping.  In discussing this, Guessoum brings up a number of pre-modern Muslim scholars, such as al-Ghazali, Ibn Sina, al-Biruni, Ibn Haytham and al-Kindi, contextualizing their positions in relation to one another.

Guessoum affirms that every adult should be able to think for him- or herself.  He suggests several times that everyone should read, investigate, and not simply accept what preachers or their primary school teachers tell them.

Guessoum forcefully addresses the “scientific miracles”  (iʿjāz ʿilmii) construction.  He notes that his research of these miracles has shown that none of them are miraculous, and some, such as the discussion of splitting the moon, can be shown to be inaccurate with just a half an hour of research on the internet.

In the final question, he addresses the topic of evolution.  He notes that there have been scholars, Muslims and non-Muslims, talking about evolution for a very long time, and that Darwin’s special genius was discovering the mechanism, the evidence for which is overwhelming.  Guessoum notes that the science shows that humans are “a part of creation, related to everything else”.  Not created like a magician, but “a beautifully unfolding plan, worthy of a God.”

This lecture took place at al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco on 23 March 2018.  The questions were prepared ahead of time, and projected on the screen.  The camera occasionally pans out to show the filled auditorium.

Evaluation:

Islam:  The material on Islam is within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable.

Science:  The scientific discussion here is accepted by contemporary scientists.

History:  The historical presentation reflects contemporary understanding of the people and events involved.