Qur'anic worldview and natural science: an Ulul-albāb integration framework for Islamic secondary schools

• Main Author: Hassan, Nur Jannah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: BJ1188 Religious ethics; BP1 Islam; BP170.8 Universality of Islam; BP173.77 Islam and work; BP188 Islamic religious life; BP188.16 Wasatiyyah. Moderation In Islam; BP190.5 Islamization of Knowledge; LB1705 Education and training of teachers; Q128 Islam and Science
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/67310/1/67310_QUR%27ANIC%20WORLDVIEW%20AND%20NATURAL-abstract.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/67310/2/67310_QUR%27ANIC%20WORLDVIEW%20AND%20NATURAL-paper.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/67310/

The issue of “integration” in education of the ummah has been a major concern since the post-colonial period, which left Muslims with the legacy of a dichotomous education. In turn, these result in disharmonies in the person, family, society and the environment. Yet post-modern trends open up opportunities for non-conventional alternatives as solutions. The paper presents major rationales for integrating the Qur’ānic / Prophetic worldview and natural science. It touches upon the fundamental elements of the worldview of al-Qur’ān in relation to the studies of nature, specifically the notion of “reading” the two Books of Allāh: al-Qur’ān and the Open Book of the Cosmos, as well as humanity’s relation with Allāh, with themselves and humanity with the cosmos. The paper touches upon the worldviews that have brought about natural science to its current pedestal, the ensuing environmental and humanitarian crises of contemporary world, and experts’ responses in the face of the crises. It puts forward an integrated model for the study of natural science based on the “ūlū al-albāb” notion of the Qur’ān, for use in Islamic secondary education, where certain aspects of natural science undergo a discreet but holistic reposition, reinterpretation and reorientation from the framework of, and organically infused with the Qur’ānic / Prophetic worldview. It is believed that such integration is able to address the conflicts and disharmonies, and in the long run restore the equilibrium, not just within the Muslim person and the ummah but also to bring about sustained goodness for humanity in general and the environments they are in.