Islam is Based on Thinking

Submitted by Mariam Ali (United Kingdom), May 24, 2007 at 04:27

Muslims do NOT think they are any chosen people whatsoever. Allah has said in the Quran that he created all people EQUAL:

"O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you" (Quran 49:13).

The Quran asks Muslims to think and reflect on numerous occasions and Islam IS based on contemplation.

The root of the word TAFAKKUR is F-K-R. This root appears in Quran about 18 times. It has the following meanings:

- To think upon or examine a thing

- To employ one's mind, thought or mental consideration upon something

- To consider, contemplate, ponder with care, attention and endeavour

- Arranging of known things [in the mind] in order to attain [the knowledge of] unknown [thing]

Examples from the Quran include:

Say, "Are the ones who are blind in respect of the mind equal to those who are endowed with mental perception and understanding? Will you not then THINK & REFLECT?" [6:50]

Allah makes clear to you Al-Ayaat, so that you may THINK & REFLECT [2:219, 2:266] (Ayaat means signs).

Verily, in the creation of the heaven and the earth, and in the alteration of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding-those who remember [the Guidance of] Allah standing, sitting and lying down on their sides, and THINK & REFLECT about the creation of the heavens and the earth… [3:190-191]

Therefore, it is not surprising that Muslims contributed immensely to the modern sciences and arts. In fact words like Alchemy and Algebra are derived from Arabic. The website below accounts for magnificent Islamic contributions that have shaped our world today:

http://www.muslimheritage.com/

http://www.1001inventions.com

By the way, I am a Muslim woman and hold a medical PhD. Islam pushes me forward to acquire knowledge and conduct scientific research for the sake of humanity.

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