An Analysis and Critique of Opposing Views on the Scientific Authority of the Holy Qurān

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor, Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture, Qom, Iran

10.22034/qve.2024.15397.1784

Abstract

One of the key debates among scholars of Qurānic sciences concerns the scope of the Holy Qurān. Some scholars believe that the Qurān addresses both the religious and worldly needs of humankind. Others argue that the mission of the prophets was not centered on worldly life and that the Qurān is limited to ethical and eschatological matters. A similar disagreement exists regarding whether the Qurān provides scientific principles, statements, and theories or serves as a criterion for evaluating scientific knowledge. Some critics claim that attributing an influence of the Qurān on the sciences contradicts its eloquence and weakens the faith of Muslims. This study, using a library-based and analytical approach while offering a novel thematic and stylistic framework, demonstrates that employing a systematic methodology in Qurānic scientific studies—by extracting fundamental principles, fixed truths, and general rules from the Qurān and applying them to various scientific fields—does not diminish the Qurān’s status, contradict its eloquence, or undermine religious belief. Moreover, Qurānic concepts can serve as a criterion for assessing scientific doctrines and guiding the development of knowledge. Therefore, scientific disciplines should be evaluated through the lens of the Qurān, and intellectual and theoretical frameworks should be aligned with its guidance. The claim of an essential distinction between science and religion is thus unfounded, and the resolution of any alleged conflicts between them lies in addressing the methodological flaws within the sciences themselves.

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References

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  • Receive Date: 09 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 03 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 30 December 2024

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