Science for Humanity: An Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Scientific work is a human activity for understanding how the natural world works and is structured. Why do human beings seek scientific knowledge? Science, by itself, cannot provide the answer. The response comes from a more comprehensive framework that defines, among other things, one’s goal for scientific activity. Traditionally there have been two major responses to this question: ‘science for the sake of science’ and ‘sci- ence for the sake of understanding God’s handiwork and for taking care of humanity’s lawful physical and spiritual needs’. A third view became dominant dur- ing the twentieth century, advocating science for its practical and material benefits. According to the first and third views there should be no limit on the kind of scientific research being done, but according to the second view scientific activity cannot have a free run. Due to the miseries brought about by the abuse of sci- ence and its application, especially during the twen- tieth century, many eminent scholars throughout the world have been crying out for a new attitude toward the goal of scientific enterprise—an attitude that seeks scientific knowledge for the purpose of enriching the spiritual dimension of human beings and for secur- ing human welfare, i.e. seeking knowledge for the sake of humanity, rather than ignoring humanity. Unless