Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 263
DIVINE REVELATION AND RATIONALITY make the scientific enterprise an integral part of the community's life". The Holy Prophet of Islam said that it was the "bounden peace be upon him duty of every muslim man and woman 2, وو acquire knowledge”. to. The enquiry by itself is not sufficient, however, warns the Quran. The inner truth of man is a prerequisite for him to draw right conclusions from it. This principle of fundamental importance is dictated in the very beginning in the Surah Al-Baqarah. It should be remembered that though. Al-Baqarah is formally counted as the second after Surah. Al-Fatihah which contains the gist of the entire Quran, in effect it could be treated as an introductory Surah. Thus AlBaqarah may be counted as the first Surah with which the full text begins. Al-Baqarah begins with the following opening statement: بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ السمة ذلِكَ الْكِتَبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ow هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ 3-2:1. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever. Merciful. . I am Allah, the Most Knowledgeable. . This is that perfect Book; there is no doubt in it; a guidance for the righteous (muttaqi). ³. This profound declaration, simple as it may appear, demands special attention for the comprehension of its underlying message. The Divine teachings are obviously expected to guide the unrighteous to the right path. What, then, is the significance of the claim that this book can guide only those who are already righteous? What the. Quran implies is simply this that the seeker after truth must necessarily be true himself or his inquiry will prove futile. 257