The Illusion of Conflict between Science and Religion in Islamic and Western Thought: A Comparative Study

Dr. najaf irfani

Abstract

The dialectic concerning the relationship between science and religion represents a multifaceted intellectual issue that has long captivated thinkers and scholars of religion alike. This tension originated with the European Church, which took religion to be an alternative to science, when opposed scientific inquiry and persecuted scientists, thereby generating a lasting conflict between scientists and philosophers from the past till the present day. Some describe the relationship as conflictive, while others portray it as harmonious. However, with the emergence of Islam, the interaction between science and religion took on a more balanced and stable form. Islam promotes a positive view of both fields, seeing them as intertwined rather than in opposition; this is reflected in many Quranic verses that support a relationship based on knowledge, interaction, communication, and respect for specializations. This is what the present article seeks to explore, it takes on one of the critical issues within the discourse on the relationship between science and religion, that being the perceived conflict between them. It explains the concept and methodology of each field, displays practical examples, and offers a comparative analysis using descriptive methods for reviewing theories and their applications, and analytical methods for critique and evaluation. The goal is to demonstrate, through proves and evidence, that science and religion are not at odds but rather complement each other, each revealing unique aspects of the world. The article also considers major Western perspectives on this topic and compares them with views and theories found in Islamic intellectual and religious thought.

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)