Religion and Science

Saint or Scientist?

First and foremost, religion does not fear questions or science—it is the merchants of religion who feel threatened by inquiry, as it endangers their livelihoods. If questions were inherently wrong, then Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) would not have placed the axe on the shoulder of the largest idol after destroying the others, challenging the idol-worshippers to ask it who had broken them. We should not become like idols but instead follow in the footsteps of Ibrahim and learn to ask questions.

 

Christianity remained the world’s leading religion even after the Church condemned Galileo, and it remains so today despite later apologizing to him. The fears the Church once harbored proved baseless, and its followers were not shaken by Galileo’s scientific triumphs. Therefore, it is time to shed this self-imposed fear.

While the Hubble telescope uncovers the mysteries of the universe, the mental horizons of many on Earth remain as limited as ever. Billions still worship idols of clay, which demonstrates that science poses no immediate threat to belief systems. 

• However, change is inevitable, and evolution is constant; stagnation is temporary and doomed.

Nietzsche declared, “God is dead,” signifying science’s triumph over religion in the West. Al-Ghazali, on the other hand, declared, “Philosophy is dead,” signifying God’s victory in Islam. The result? In the West, both Christianity and science coexist, with science reigning globally. In the Muslim world, Islam endures, but science seems to have died.

The claim that religion never obstructed the path of science is challenged by history. In Pakistan, religious factions have consistently impeded progress and modernisation—be it by declaring a jihad against Lord Macaulay or by blocking attempts to reform madrasas. Yet, ironically, many madrasas proudly display banners claiming to teach both religious and modern sciences. One might ask them: if you have finally embraced modern education, why not do so openly? Why act secretive like someone hiding their intentions while begging for sustenance? And if Pakistan is an Islamic state now, why not allow the state to provide a unified educational system? Why continue to run parallel systems, confusing society with contradictory ideals?

An argument often presented is that universities exist, so madrasas have never obstructed modern education. But consider this: a vehicle only moves forward when all four wheels are in sync. If even one wheel is out of alignment, the vehicle will circle endlessly, just as Pakistan has for over seventy years.

Time has shown that the traditional Dars-e-Nizami curriculum is a regressive educational system that has failed to contribute meaningfully to society. It must be reformed positively to produce graduates with a unified mindset that can benefit the community.

Take, for example, Pakistan's renowned reputation for producing the world's best fast bowlers. But have we ever produced a footballer like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Certainly not. Yet, cricket has never suppressed football in Pakistan. So, what is it that produces Shoaib Akhtar and Naseem Shah in abundance but not a single Messi? The answer is simple: children become what we teach them. They aspire to be what is respected and celebrated in society. With cricket dominating the media and public life in Pakistan, it naturally inspires children to pursue the sport, creating an environment where competition and progress in cricket thrive. When a child bowls fast, they are cheered on from all sides, building a strong, supportive atmosphere.

In contrast, our societal mindset views school education as a necessary evil, something to be endured for financial survival. Consequently, the work done under compulsion is rarely exceptional. If we are failing to produce an Einstein or a Stephen Hawking, it is not because we are lacking in ability; it is because we have not created the right environment. Our educational system has yet to produce the kind of research that could elevate our agricultural output to match that of France or develop cattle that produce as much milk as the Holstein breed. We haven’t even mastered the basics of scientific inquiry, yet we concoct wild conspiracies about vaccines, claiming that polio vaccines are a plot to sterilize Muslims. If that were the case, would Pakistan’s population have soared past 220 million?

The reality is that we are producing half-formed individuals, neither fully this nor fully that, and as a result, we have become a nation of beggars. We must rewrite our curriculum and fully embrace modern technologies in line with the demands of the times. Religion should hold its rightful place in faith and ethics, while science must take its place as the foundation of knowledge and practice. We must reform our education system, which has yet to offer us any practical benefits.

If there were a conflict between religion and science, if they were truly at odds, then Europe’s religion today would be science. But it isn’t. Europeans remain Christians while leading the world in modern technology.

Science does not deny religion; rather, it avoids philosophical distractions. Science needs an environment in which it can thrive. It does not expect miracles from saints but seeks to treat their psychological issues, transforming them into productive members of society.