S

ept. 6, p8

In the golden age of Islam, many Muslim clerics mastered Arabic (the language of the Koran). Derived from their comprehension of the Holy Koran, they invented various forms of knowledge.

Before Muslim scientists studied general knowledge, many of them first learned Arabic and memorized the Koran and later they studied various branches of science. Al-Ghazali, who studied philosophy and Ibn Sina, the father of general medicine are two examples of these. Others include Al Farabi, Al Kindi, Ibn Khaldun and so on.

I am convinced that our country can produce great and respected Muslim scientists in the future if students are required to understand Arabic. Ibn Sina, known in the West as Avicenna, developed medicinal treatment and therapy. (By Aries Musnandar)

Your comments:

Medieval Europe absorbed knowledge from Islamic civilization. Of special note is the reception of advances in astronomy and mathematics made in the Islamic world during the 10th century. Spain was ruled for 300 years by the descendents of the Umayyad caliphate. Scientific knowledge, architecture, mathematics and philosophy flourished in Spain during the rule of the Umayyads.

Much of this intellectual climate can be traced to the precepts of the Koran. Throughout the Koran, there is a strong emphasis on the value of knowledge. In the Middle Ages, everybody seeking knowledge would travel to Spain to study Muslim science. Then came the fall of Granada, the fall of Muslim Spain: next came the Spanish Inquisition, which burned no fewer than a million books on theology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, philosophy and medicine.

Cedeer

It is true that scientists like Ibn al-Haytham made important contributions during the caliphate era. But Chinese scientists in the same period invented printing with woodblocks and movable type, chain drives and canal locks, as well as gunpowder, cannons and fireworks and new uses for paper, including banknotes and even teabags!

Moreover, it is doubtful whether Islam as a religion or culture helped science advance under the caliphate. Arabs simply took over the areas in the Nile, Euphrates and Tigris valleys, which had always been among the great centers of Western learning.

John Hargreaves

 The writer is convinced the concepts of affordable and renewable energy, the cure for cancer and other diseases and the breakthrough in electronic technology are hidden in the Koran; if only the younger generation understood perfect Arabic so they could read the Koran!

If anything, my own personal opinion is that religion is a private affair. If the child wishes to learn Arabic or is forced to by his or her parents, then maybe they will indeed get an idea from the Koran to cure cancer or invent warp-speed technology.  But by emphasizing science and math and other such subjects, we will generate more scientists than by replacing those studies with Arabic study of the Koran.

Deddy K

Science books are updated because science is developing and more research and findings are coming. The Koran is not a science book as such. The Koran speaks of principles and ethics. Even though the Koran is not updated, you cannot find any outdated teaching in it.  

Think of the most advanced country in the world. Is she going forward just because of science? Through science, people are working to find the most lethal weapons to kill others or destroy other countries. Is this what you call moving forward? I'€™d better not moving forward with you.

What the Holy Books suggest is for man to think positively. Start with a belief, whatever it is, rather than with nothing. That'€™s all.

Abdul Mukhlis