Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 67
Malfuzat - Volume I 67 modern sciences to be in the wrong. For in doing so, they seek to veil their own error and weakness. Their minds are set on the fact that research in the field of modern science distances people from Islam and misguides them. They assert that reason and science are, as if, completely at odds with Islam. Since they do not possess the ability to demonstrate the flaws in philosophy themselves, in order to hide their own incapability, they have formed the notion that it is unlawful to study the modern sciences at all. Their souls tremble in the face of philosophy and submit helplessly before modern research. True Philosophy Lies in the Quran However, such people have not been granted knowledge of that true philosophy which comes forth from the Word of Allah and with which the Holy Quran is full to the brim. This is granted to those-and only those who throw them- selves at the threshold of Allah with extreme humility, effacing themselves; those from whose minds the stench of pride has been eliminated; those who being cog- nisant of their own weaknesses, fervently profess complete devotion to God. Make the Modern Sciences Subservient to Islam Hence, in this day and age, it is imperative that you learn the modern sciences and study them with toil and effort for the purpose of service to the Faith and the supremacy of God's Word. However, it is my experience—and so I would like to warn you—that those who became entangled in secular knowledge alone, and became so absorbed and engrossed in such study that they did not receive an opportunity to sit in the company of spiritual and saintly people, and were also themselves devoid of spiritual light, they too have usually stumbled. They became distanced from Islam and instead of looking at these sciences in light of Islam, they made useless attempts to bend Islam to secular thought. And by doing so, in their own fancy, they became defenders in the cause of service to country and nation. But remember, no one can accomplish this task, i. e. of serving the Faith, unless they possess within themselves heavenly light. The fact of the matter is that education in these sciences is influenced by Chris- tian theology and philosophical thought. As a result, people who are fond of these studies continue to instinctively adhere to the traditions of Islam on account of their favourable view of the religion. However, as such a person continues to take