Page 48 - Ramadan 2022

48 LG RAMADAN 2022

Science and technology in Islam

precise time and location for prayer science and ethics can make a signif-
and fasting in unknown places and icant contribution to the creation of
outer space, this will be in line with a revised epistemology of modern
the protection of religion, which is science.
also one of the daruriyyat. Minaret
Then again, if science can help Now a symbolic image of Islam the
find a better cure for lethal diseases, first known minarets appeared in
this will help to protect life, which is the early 9th century under Abbasid
also one of the essential purposes of rule, during a time which historians
syariah. call the Islamic Golden Ages. A time
Science and technology, as we have when science, literature technology
known, are capable of bringing great and philosophy was heavily a part
benefit and also great harm, and are of during this time architecture also
wanting of an ethical vision if they evolved into a style based more on
were to be guided by values, such as the Sasanian Empire.
those of the maqasid, that seek to Their original purpose was to relay
SLAM is supportive of protect human welfare, regardless of the prayer call with the unamplified
scientific research that brings considerations of race, language and voice. Now in many Muslim coun-
benefit to humankind, but religion. tries will be heard at prayers times,
Iknowledge of science and This is a manifestation also of using modern technology with
technology that is predominantly the Islamic principle of tawhid, the speakers mostly place on the minaret
harmful is discouraged. The Islamic Oneness of Being that runs deep in to play the prayer call.
view of technology and science is, shaping the Islamic epistemology Many also use automatic systems
thus, geared towards the purposes of knowledge. When science and which are time controlled so the
they advance. technology are informed by ethical prayer calls in time with the regional
If science and technology can be norms, they help to advance a hu- clock. The first known installation
used to facilitate better methods of mane society and civilisation. of a microphone loudspeaker set
truth discovery while involving no vi- Hence, a credible critique of the occurred in 1936 in the Masjid Sultan
olation of the Islamic principles, there epistemology of contemporary tech- in Singapore; it was reported that the
is no question over their acceptance. nology and science is wanting. Islam’s summons to prayer could ‘carry more
If technology can determine the holistic vision of a merger between than a mile’.