By Khalifatul Masih II, Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

Khalifatul Masih II, Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

Here is a lecture by Hadhrat ‘Musleh Maoud’ on the subject of Religion and Science, given at Islamia College Science Union meeting in Lahore on 3rd March 1927. This lecture’s usefulness cannot be over-stated. Original article in Urdu can be found in Anwarul Uloom online.

A small portion of the lecture is translated for the benefit of those who are not well versed with Urdu:

The Holy Quran directs attention towards science, time and again, rather than evoking prejudice against it. The Quran has never advised against studying science, lest the reader should become a non-believer; because it has no such fear or concern. The Holy Quran is not worried that if people will learn the laws of nature its spell will break. The Quran has not prevented people from science, rather it states, “Say, ‘Reflect on what is happening in the heavens and the earth.’” (Al Surah Yunus 10:102) By heavens is meant the study of astronomy and by earth is meant the study of geology, biology and archeology. If God considered that the result of such study will create prejudice and hatred against religion, the Holy Quran would have advised not to ever study these branches of knowledge. But in contrast to that it advises believers emphatically to study these sciences and investigate, as it knows that as the knowledge progresses in these fields, its truth will be testified. (This is exactly what is predicted in the second verse of Sura Saba, this is editor’s inclusion) The following verses of the Holy Quran also draw attention towards science:

“In the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day there are indeed Signs for men of understanding; Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth: ‘Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain; nay, Holy art Thou; save us, then, from the punishment of the Fire.’” (Al Surah Ale-Imran 3:191-192)

To see a collection of articles on this theme, go to the February 2010 volume of Alislam-eGazette:

http://www.alislam.org/egazette/egazette/february-2010-egazette-islam-and-science/