The Holy Quran, beyond its spiritual and devotional status, is regarded as an unparalleled source for the scientific and civilisational guidance of humanity. This divine book, with verses referring to the creation of the heavens and the earth, invites mankind to contemplation and research into the cosmic system. In this treatise, with a focus on Verse 117 of Surah Al-Baqarah and related verses in Surah Al-Imran, the necessity of transforming religious seminaries into research and laboratory centres is examined. The objective is to elucidate the capacities of the Holy Quran as a scientific and practical book capable of guiding Islamic societies towards civilisational advancement. This work, adopting an academic approach and employing refined metaphors, emphasises the reconstruction of the educational system of seminaries and the strengthening of scientific relations with the world. The structure of the work is presented in systematic sections, each enriched with detailed analyses and independent conclusions.
Religious seminaries, as the principal bases for the propagation of religious sciences, require structural transformation towards becoming research and laboratory centres to harness the scientific capacities of the Holy Quran. This transformation not only facilitates the extraction of Quranic knowledge but also paves the way for the advancement of Islamic societies and global influence. The Holy Quran is a book that, through its verses, invites mankind to explore the system of creation; however, the utilisation of these capacities demands scientific and research infrastructures.
At present, religious sciences are often confined to theological, lexical, and literary discussions, distancing themselves from scientific and research-based approaches. This limitation hinders the realisation of a Quranic worldview and cosmology, preventing religious sciences from competing on the global stage. For instance, focusing repetitively on subjects such as jurisprudential rulings or familial ethics without innovation diminishes scientific competitiveness. This critique is an invitation to reconsider the educational and research systems of religious sciences.
The transformation of religious seminaries into research centres is an essential step for the flourishing of the scientific capacities of the Holy Quran. This transformation necessitates the reconstruction of the educational system, the strengthening of research infrastructures, and the encouragement of students to innovate scientifically. Only through this approach can religious sciences attain a status influential in the contemporary world.
The Holy Quran, beyond a book for recitation and blessing, is a scientific and educational source capable of guiding humanity along the path of progress. Numerous verses in this divine book invite mankind to reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth. For example, Verse 117 of Surah Al-Baqarah introduces God as "بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ" (The Unprecedented Originator of the heavens and the earth), alluding to divine infinite creativity.
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
The Unprecedented Originator of the heavens and the earth; and when He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.
Several verses in Surah Al-Imran call upon mankind to ponder the creation of the heavens and the earth. For example:
إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ * الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
These verses invite the wise to contemplate the system of creation and consider scientific reflection alongside worship as a divine duty.
The Holy Quran, through verses referring to the creation of the heavens and the earth, is a scientific and practical book capable of guiding humanity on the path of progress. This capacity flourishes only through a research and experimental approach, and religious seminaries must pioneer this transformation.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), through a conduct combining worship, reflection, and social management, provided an unparalleled model for Islamic societies. He would rise several times at night for remembrance and prayer, reciting verses such as those from Surah Al-Imran and contemplating the creation of the heavens and the earth. This nightly remembrance was not only a spiritual worship but also an exercise to strengthen the mind and soul.
The Prophet (PBUH), with active presence in the city and direct supervision of affairs, ensured social security and order. Narrations indicate that he would go to the mosque at night for voluntary prayers and personally undertake night patrols, managing society. This conduct reflects the integration of religion and politics in the life of the Prophet (PBUH).
The belief in the separation of religion from politics contradicts the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH), who intertwined religion and social governance. His conduct demonstrates that religion can guide politics and undertake societal management, provided it adopts a scientific and dynamic approach.
The conduct of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a comprehensive model combining worship, reflection, and social management. Religious seminaries must, inspired by this conduct, strengthen their role in societal management and knowledge production so that religion manifests as a civilisational force in the contemporary world.
The Holy Quran, through the repetition of verses concerning the heavens and the earth, alludes to the complexity of the system of creation and the necessity of scientific exploration. For example:
أَفَلَمْ يَنْظُرُوا إِلَىٰ مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ
Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and the earth?
This verse invites mankind to observe and contemplate the cosmic and spiritual structure of the heavens, indicating the feasibility of such reflection.
The Holy Quran refers to entities in the heavens that transcend humans, jinn, and angels. These creatures, perceived by Gods friends (Awliy), constitute part of the mysteries of creation, requiring scientific and spiritual investigation.
يَسْأَلُهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ
Whoever is in the heavens and the earth asks Him; every day He is in a matter.
The verses concerning the heavens and the earth constitute an invitation to scientific exploration of the system of creation. These verses, referring to unknown beings and the columnless structure of the heavens, highlight the necessity of scientific and experimental research within religious sciences.
Religious sciences, due to isolation and lack of interaction with the world, have failed to achieve global impact. The absence of scientific article production, weaknesses in language skills, and self-imposed restrictions on the use of technology are the main obstacles to this isolation.
To advance religious sciences, it is proposed that seminaries establish scientific websites in the fields of philosophy, psychology, and sociology, organise global debates, and produce innovative articles. These measures will elevate religious sciences to a deserving status in the contemporary world.
The consumption of vast budgets in seminaries without scientific output and global impact is unjustifiable. Religious sciences must pursue efficiency and accountability, producing science and competing globally.
Religious sciences, to fulfil a civilisational role, must exit isolation and adopt a scientific and global approach to produce science and compete internationally. This transformation requires the reconstruction of the educational system, encouragement of innovation, and utilisation of technology.
The Holy Quran is a book that, through its verses, invites humanity to contemplation of creation and scientific exploration. Verse 117 of Surah Al-Baqarah and the verses of Surah Al-Imran, emphasising the creation of the heavens and the earth, highlight the necessity of a research-oriented approach in religious sciences. The conduct of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a model combining worship, reflection, and governance, serves as guidance for seminaries to emerge from isolation and compete globally. The critique of the current state of religious sciences is an invitation to rebuild educational and research systems, strengthen global communication, and produce scientific articles. This transformation not only preserves the achievements of the Islamic Revolution but also elevates the intellectual culture of Shi'ism to a deserving position in the contemporary world. Inspired by the Holy Quran and the prophetic conduct, religious sciences can lead Islamic societies towards civilisation building, provided they become pioneering and global scientific centres.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
