The Quran, from its very first revelation, emphasized “اقْرَأْ!” (Iqra!) – Read! It calls us repeatedly to engage in “تَفَكُّر” (tafakkur – deep reflection), “نَظَر” (nadhar – observing with insight), and to use our “عَقْل” (aql – intellect).
Did you know that the root word “عِلْم” (ilm – knowledge) and its derivatives appear hundreds of times in the Quran? And “عَقْل” (aql – intellect) and its derivatives tens of times?
This is a clear indication, my beloved readers, of the immense value Allah SWT places on these faculties. It is an invitation to explore, to discover, and to see the signs of Allah in His creation. Let us then, together, explore some of these divine signposts.
1. A Quranic Quote on Observation and Discovery
Before we delve into specific technologies, let us consider the Quran’s overarching encouragement to seek knowledge through observing the universe.
Allah calls upon us to look at the signs He has placed all around us and within us.
“سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ”
Sanureehim āyātinā fil-āfāqi wa fee anfusihim ḥattā yatabayyana lahum annahu al-ḥaqq. Awa lam yakfi birabbika annahu ʿalā kulli shayʾin shaheed.
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?” (Surah Fussilat, 41:53)
Allah promises to unveil His signs (āyāt) – in the vastness of the “horizons” (al-āfāq), which encompasses everything from the galaxies to the smallest particles, and “within themselves” (fee anfusihim), referring to the marvels of the human body and soul.
The word آيَات (āyāt) itself is rich; it means signs, proofs, evidences, lessons, and also verses of the Quran.
This implies that scientific discovery, when approached with an open heart, can lead one to recognize the truth of the Creator.
This verse is a divine endorsement of scientific inquiry. It encourages exploration, research, and a deep look into the natural world.
For those of us keen to truly grasp these nuances, understanding Quranic Arabic becomes not just a pursuit, but a delightful journey. Delving into such beautiful intricacies is a joy, and it’s something we explore deeply with our students in Quranica’s Online Quran Tafseer Course, where understanding the context and linguistic miracle of the Quran comes to life.
2. A Quranic Verses on Harnessing Nature’s Gifts
The Quran doesn’t just speak of observation; it also gives us glimpses into how humanity, guided by divine inspiration, can harness the resources of the earth for beneficial purposes.
Consider the story of Prophet Dawud (David), peace be upon him:
“وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا ۖ يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ ۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ . أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ ۖ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ”
Wa laqad ātaynā Dāwūda minnā faḍlā; yā jibālu awwibī maʿahu wat-ṭayr(a), wa alannā lahu al-ḥadīd. Ani-ʿmal sābighātin wa qaddir fis-sardi wa-ʿmalū ṣāliḥā; innī bimā taʿmalūna baṣīr.
And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], “O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well].” And We made pliable for him iron, (10) [Commanding him], “Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links, and work [all of you] righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Seeing.” (11)” (Surah Saba, 34:10-11)
Allah tells us He bestowed فَضْلًا (faḍlan – bounty, grace, favor) upon Prophet Dawud. Part of this favor was making iron أَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ (alannā lahu al-ḥadīd – pliable, soft for him).
This wasn’t just a miracle for its own sake; it came with an instruction: أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ (“Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links”).
This is a clear reference to advanced craftsmanship and technology for that era. سَابِغَاتٍ (sābighātin – full coats of mail) implies sophisticated protective gear. The phrase وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ (wa qaddir fis-sard) – meaning to measure or determine precisely in the linking or weaving of the mail – points to precision engineering. It’s a divine instruction towards meticulousness and quality in manufacturing.
This divine encouragement to seek knowledge and develop skills is a cornerstone of Islam. For our young learners, instilling this love for understanding and creation early is key, which is why our Islamic Studies program at Quranica focuses on making learning engaging and meaningful, connecting Quranic teachings to the wonders of the world.
Read more about: Quranic verses
3. A Quranic Verse on Mastering Elements and Energies
The story of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), peace be upon him, the son of Dawud, takes this even further, showcasing an extraordinary command over natural forces and resources.
“وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ ۖ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ ۖ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ ۖ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ . يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ”
Wa li-Sulaymāna ar-rīḥa ghuduwwuhā shahrun wa rawāḥuhā shahrun, wa asalnā lahu ʿayna al-qiṭr(i), wa mina al-jinni man yaʿmalu bayna yadayhi bi-idhni rabbihī, wa man yazigh minhum ʿan amrinā nudhiq’hu min ʿadhābi as-saʿīr. Yaʿmalūna lahu mā yashāʾu min maḥārība wa tamāthīla wa jifānin kal-jawābi wa qudūrin rāsiyāt. Iʿmalū Āla Dāwūda shukrā; wa qalīlun min ʿibādiya ash-shakūr.
“And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind – its morning [journey was that of] a month – and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command – We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze. (12) They made for him what he willed of elevated chambers, statues, bowls like reservoirs, and stationary kettles. [We said], “Work, O family of David, in gratitude.” And few of My servants are grateful.” (Surah Saba, 34:12-13)
Prophet Sulayman had dominion over the wind (الرِّيحَ), enabling travel at astonishing speeds.
Then, “We made flow for him a spring of [molten] copper” (وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ). (al-qiṭr) refers to molten copper.
Furthermore, he had Jinn working for him, constructing مَحَارِيبَ (elevated chambers/palaces/sanctuaries), تَمَاثِيلَ (statues or images), جِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ (basins like reservoirs), and قُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ (stationary cooking pots of immense size). This points to sophisticated architecture, artistry, and large-scale manufacturing.
The key is اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا (“Work, O family of David, in gratitude”). All these abilities and technological prowess must be rooted in gratitude to Allah and used responsibly.
And to truly convey the majesty of these verses, especially when they describe such magnificent scenes and intricate concepts, reciting them with proper Tajweed is essential. It allows the listener to feel the power and beauty of Allah’s words.
At Quranica, our Learn Quran with Tajweed courses are designed to help students of all levels perfect their recitation, guided by our experienced native Arab teachers, so that the meaning resonates deeply.
4. A Quranic Verse on Preparedness With All Means, Including Technology
The Quran guides us not only to understand the world but also to be proactive in securing our well-being and upholding justice.
This requires strength, which in today’s context, undeniably includes scientific and technological capabilities.
“وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ”
Wa aʿiddū lahum mā-staṭaʿtum min quwwatin wa min ribāṭi al-khayli turhibūna bihi ʿaduwwa Allāhi wa ʿaduwwakum wa ākharīna min dūnihim lā taʿlamūnahumu Allāhu yaʿlamuhum. Wa mā tunfiqū min shayʾin fī sabīli Allāhi yuwaffa ilaykum wa antum lā tuẓlamūn.
“And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:60)
The command وَأَعِدُّوا (Wa aʿiddū – And prepare!) is emphatic. Prepare what? مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ (mā-staṭaʿtum min quwwatin – whatever you are able of power).
The word قُوَّةٍ (quwwah – power/strength) is comprehensive. In the time of revelation, “steeds of war” (ribāṭi al-khayl) were a prime example of military strength. But the genius of the Quranic language is that قُوَّةٍ is left general, encompassing all forms of strength relevant to any era.
In our age, قُوَّةٍ undoubtedly includes technological superiority, scientific knowledge, economic strength, and robust infrastructure – all of which are underpinned by advancements in science and technology.
The phrase مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم (mā-staṭaʿtum – whatever you are able) emphasizes striving to the utmost of one’s capacity. It implies continuous development and innovation. It’s a divine motivation for Muslims to be at the forefront of progress, not merely consumers of technology developed by others.
5. A Quranic Quote on Education and Increase in Knowledge:
The pursuit of knowledge is not just encouraged; it is a command in Islam, a continuous journey.
“…وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا”
…wa qul Rabbi zidni ‘ilma.
“…and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Surah Taha, 20:114)
This du’a, taught by Allah (SWT) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself, is for all of us. “Rabbi zidni ‘ilma” – “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
It’s a prayer that encompasses all beneficial knowledge, whether religious or worldly, that which helps us understand our Creator, ourselves, and His creation, and that which allows us to contribute positively to humanity.
It signifies that learning is a lifelong process, and a true believer is always humble enough to seek more. This divine encouragement to seek knowledge is a cornerstone of Islam.
Read more about: Quranic Verses On Death
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Quran not only encourages the pursuit of knowledge but also integrates it deeply into the fabric of faith. From the call to observe the universe and reflect, to the stories of prophets like Dawud and Sulayman using divine gifts for innovation, the Quran presents science and technology as sacred tools to understand and serve the Creator. Verses highlighting observation, craftsmanship, mastery over nature, and preparation with all means—each point to a divine framework that urges believers to be thoughtful, curious, and productive.
As Muslims today, we are called to honor this legacy by continuously seeking beneficial knowledge and applying it with gratitude and responsibility. Whether through deep reflection on the Quran or engaging with modern sciences, the pursuit of knowledge remains an act of worship. Quranica invites learners to embark on this journey—bridging timeless wisdom with contemporary understanding—empowering hearts and minds to grow in both faith and purpose.
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