Quran inspired the Muslims to take up Science
It is a fact that it is the Glorious Qur’an alone that inspired the Muslims to take up the scientific study of the universe. For fulfilling their obligations of the religion and Shariah, it urged the Muslims, in varied styles, to reflect upon the natural phenomena, fathom deep into the systems that are upholding the whole administration of this universe and evolve means and methods of seeking benefits from them. Some of such verses are as follows:
Say: ‘Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth.’ (Qur’an, 10:10)
Say: ‘Travel through the earth and see how God did originate creation; so will God produce a later creation.’ (Qur’an, 29:20)
Do they not look at the Camels; how they are made? – And at the Sky, how it is raised high? – And at the Mountains, how they are fixed firm? – And at the Earth, how it is spread? (Qur’an, 88:17-20)
Do they not look at the sky above them? How We have made it, and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it? (Qur’an, 50:6)
It is We Who have set out constellations in the heavens, and made them fair-seeming to (all) beholders. (Qur’an, 15:16)
….When they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. (Qur’an, 6:99)
Then let man look at his Food, (And how We provide it.) (Qur’an, 80:24)
Now let man but think from what he is created! He is created from a drop emitted…. (Qur’an, 86:5-6)
All these and many such verses clearly indicate that the Glorious Qur’an exhorts man to cast deep investigating looks at every object and every phenomenon of the nature and find out for himself the facts underlying them. Thus it has pointed out the very first principles of the “experimental science” namely “observation” and “study”. This renders the holy Book to be the instigator and pioneer of the experimental sciences. It must be noted that in all these verses the use of the word nazr involves all its various requisitions. It does not merely refer to casting looks cursory or otherwise. The lexicographers and exegetes of the holy Qur’an draw attention that it involves reflection, deep investigation and study and gaining insights.
Imam Jowhari has said that nazr means ‘to reflect on something looking at it through eyes’.1
According to Imam Raghib Asfahani it means to reflect and ponder.2
Allama Zamakhshari has written in the commentary on verse 99 of chapter 6 that this divine manifestation of sustenance has to be viewed with insight, reason and knowledge.3
Imam Ghazzali puts forth his views in this regard as follows:
Allah 
, the Almighty, created wisdom and perfected His Guidance through revelation. Then He advised the men endowed with this sagacity to look at His creations and reflect on their inherently endowed miracles and take lesson from them, as exhorted in the following verses: “Say: Reflect on all things present in the earth and the heavens” and “We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” There are many more verses that deal with this subject. There are many more verses that deal with this subject.4
Allama Qazveni is more explicit on this score while interpreting the verse: “Do they not look at the sky above them? How We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it?” He says that here “look” does not mean merely casting eyes on it which is a quality of the beasts. If anyone finds only blue colour in the sky and dust and smoke on the earth, he is fit to be grouped with the beasts, or he may not be fit enough to be included even with them. He would then be a thoughtless being as described in the verse: “They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle – nay more misguided for they are heedless (of warning).” Here ‘look’ refers to reflection on probabilities, words or things consistent with reason, contemplation, perception, feelings and thoughts and discussion on their mysteries so that the facts about His creations get revealed.5
