Key research themes
1. How have Muslim scholars historically conceptualized and integrated scientific knowledge within Islamic education and worldview?
This theme explores the historical and ongoing efforts within Muslim-majority societies to harmonize scientific inquiry and education with Islamic theological and philosophical traditions. It examines the evolution of Islam’s engagement with various scientific disciplines, the establishment of educational institutions promoting this dialogue, and the challenges posed by Western colonialism and secularism to scientific progress in Muslim contexts. Understanding this dynamic is crucial to explaining contemporary calls for an Islamization of knowledge and the role of institutions in fostering a scientific ethos aligned with Islamic principles.
2. What is the nature and academic grounding of the discourse on ‘scientific miracles’ in the Qurʾān, and how has this influenced Muslim engagement with modern science?
This theme investigates the theological and epistemological claims surrounding the purported alignment of Qurʾānic verses with modern scientific discoveries—often termed ‘scientific miraculousness’. It traces the historical emergence, popularization, and polemical use of this idea across Muslim societies, along with its reception, both by religious communities and academia. Understanding this discourse provides insight into how scripture is interpreted in light of contemporary science, its role in Muslim apologetics, and the accompanying debates on the proper relationship between revelation and empirical knowledge.
3. How are contemporary Islamic theological and philosophical traditions engaging with modern scientific developments such as evolution, and what hermeneutical strategies are employed?
This theme focuses on the nuanced debates within modern Islamic thought regarding evolutionary theory and other scientific developments, emphasizing diverse theological stances from outright rejection to conditional acceptance. It includes an examination of exegetical works from varied Muslim contexts (e.g., Indonesian, Iranian Shī‘ī) and contemporary philosophers advocating frameworks to navigate apparent conflicts. This inquiry is vital for comprehending how Islamic intellectual traditions respond to, reinterpret, or resist scientific paradigms in the present era.