Our Intentions: Based on Faith or Science?

In the 21st century, science has become the bar that (almost) every claim must be 'proved' by. Hence, Muslims born into the 21st century might get anxious when science and faith appear to be at odds. But to their relief, they find many scientific theories or facts that seem to conform to religious texts or injunctions. Take the famous verse in the Quran about the two seas not mixing (how was it possible that Prophet Muhammad came to know of it?) and the health benefits of Ramadan. It would be completely justified for a Muslim to have their iman or yaqin in Islam increased when they come across such facts. However, we must ponder: is this need for validation with science doing more good than harm?

For example, ask why a Muslim why he does not eat pork or drink alcohol and he the first thing he may say is that pigs are dirty animals and alcohol is an impairing substance. Or ask him why Muslims use a miswak or drink zam zam water and he will continue on about their health benefits. It seems that Muslims today have an inferiority complex such that they need to justify their actions with a scientific claim.

This obsession with justifying our actions based on science is not our tradition. Imagine: how did Muslims of the past answer such questions before they were even 'proven' by science? Instead of saying "I did it because it is scientifically proven" and "It's good for me", they said "I did (or believe) it because Allah commanded me to do so" and "I did it out of the love of my Prophet peace be upon him". SubhanAllah, what beautiful and powerful words a person can ever say!

I'm not saying we should completely dismiss scientific claims, for Allah in his infinite wisdom has made it so that the reasoning behind His commands is something we humans can appreciate or because it is meant to be good for us (whether or not we grasp the true reasoning behind them is another matter). Maybe He also made it so to provide us with certainty and beauty in His religion and to show that the religion that Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him preached was one of morality and goodness. Therefore in this context I would say that the extent to which science can be used is to supplement one's faith, shed new light on a Quranic verse, to soften the hearts of non-Muslims to Islam or to reassure Muslims that Islam is not a religion of falsehood.

However, please be certain of your intentions when doing actions (especially ibadah) in the first place. Is it to say to Allah "we hear and obey" or to show off to the non-Muslims that Muslims lead better lives? Is it to do or believe in something purely out of faith or because it has been scientifically proven to be true? There are also many things in Islam that require faith and cannot or are yet to be scientifically proven. Muslims who allow their Islam be led by science have no answer for this. Surely, this is a dangerous route. If one day the scientific claims would be proven false then the situation would topple on our heads. And if our Islam should start to crumble if we become the subject of mockery, what more if it opens the door for doubt?

Do you know of how Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him got the title of As-Siddiq (The Truthful)? It was because he did not hesitate in believing Prophet Muhammad's miraculous travel of Isra' and Mi'raj. While others were skeptical of it, Abu Bakr's faith did not waver even an inch. He did not need to reconsider his Prophet's claim due to its 'scientific' impossibility or had to seek others for any 'peer review'. The truthfulness of his words when asked about his belief in Isra' and Mi'raj shows us his reasoning behind it: "Yes. Verily I believe what is even more astonishing than that [ie. Isra']. I believe he has received messages from heaven for everything he does".

As Muslims, we do not believe in blind faith, especially for our core beliefs such as tawhid. We are encouraged to ask questions and seek knowledge, be it about Islam or any other topic. But at the same time, there are also aspects of Islam that does purely require our faith alone. After having certainty in Allah's existence and in our religion (due to its many logical reasonings), Allah wishes to test our belief in Him even further. Do you fast in Ramadan mainly because it is healthy, or because Allah told you to, there being a reward for it in Heaven (which you cannot see or perceive but already believe in)? What is your real intention that you make when you take your sahur? Our actions are only by their intentions, so lets make our actions for the sake of Allah alone. I'm sure in our own way, we would like to live to the name of 'As-Siddiq'...

So, the next time someone asks you: "Why do you fast in Ramadan?" Answer somewhere along the lines of: "Because Allah told us to do so. But there are also physical benefits to fasting, such as: to maintain a healthy body weight and cardiovascular system." I understand, it may feel awkward to mention (our belief in) Allah in front of non-Muslims. We think they might not care about it. And that might be true. But the fact that they are asking about Islam is a chance for us to do da'wah. Rather then showing that Muslims are also subservient to science (just like everybody else), we should should seize that opportunity to first show what is unique about Islam (ie. tawhid) and then to couple it with support of its scientific benefit would make more of an impact, don't you think? Either way, to internalize this concept of putting faith first is a sure path to success, inshaAllah.

May Allah strengthen us in obedience and purify our intentions, amin.

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