Nobel Prize and the Muslim World: A Journey of Excellence
The Nobel Prize is bestowed upon exceptional scientists, laureates and activists for their remarkable achievements in the service of science and humanity. The winners are recognized for their significant contribution to unraveling existing phenomena and improving the quality of life for humanity. They inspire fellow scientists worldwide, and their work will undoubtedly be studied and built upon in the future.
However, it is worth noting that most Nobel Prize winners come from the Western world, while the Muslim world, with a population of 1.5 billion, has only achieved 11 Nobel Prizes. Among these, only three have been awarded to Muslim scientists.
In comparison, Jews have won 88 Nobel Prizes, including 65 in the sciences, despite comprising less than 0.2% of the global population. This achievement highlights the significant contributions Jews have made to science, culture and society.
India has won five Nobel Prizes in the sciences. In contrast, Pakistan has seen only one Nobel laureate, Dr. Abdus Salam, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979 for his groundbreaking contributions to the electroweak unification theory.
Dr. Salam's work is considered one of the most important breakthroughs in 20th-century physics, significantly advancing our understanding of nature's fundamental forces by unifying electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces.
While other Muslim scientists have contributed to the field of science, Dr. Salam remains the sole Muslim Nobel laureate in Physics.
Given the limited number of scientists from the Muslim world, questions arise regarding the cause of this disparity and the Muslim world's lack of contributions on scientific and philosophical levels. Does Islam play a role in the decline of scientific knowledge within the Muslim world?
The best answer is provided in the Quran itself — emphasizing the importance of exploring the universe, the earth, and nature and pondering the diverse phenomena created by God.
The Quran states in Surah Al-Ghashiyah, Verses 18-21: "Do they never reflect on the camels how they were created and the sky, how it is raised aloft and the mountains how they are firmly set up.” Surah Al-e-Imran, Verse 190 further emphasizes: “ Indeed there are signs in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day for people of understanding.”
Verse 191 invites by saying that those who ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth say, Lord, you have not created all this without purpose. Some verses invite people to contemplate the stars and the planets, how they float in their specific orbits, the minuscule particles (atoms), the formation of clouds, how things are created from water, and scores of other phenomena.
These verses encourage believers to study all the creation of God, reflect on it, and prioritize acquiring knowledge and scientific understanding within their communities.
The Quran highlights the elevated status of those who possess contemplation and knowledge, emphasizing that those lacking these attributes cannot be equal to those who acquire them. It underscores the necessity of research and development, urging believers to make it a habit in their daily lives. The famous Hadith attributed to the Prophet SAS encourages seeking knowledge even if it requires traveling to distant lands like China.
It is important to note that Dr. Salam found inspiration in an ayat (verse) from the Quran while formulating his complex theory. Maurice Bucaille, a French doctor and author, argued in his book "The Bible, the Quran, and Science" that the Quran contains scientific facts that were unknown at the time of its revelation. The book manifests the Quran as a divine revelation, asserting that no verse contradicts the validated scientific knowledge.
These verses from the Quran and numerous others formed the basis for remarkable scientific advancements by Muslims in the 8th to 12th centuries. In this period, Arab, Turkish, Afghan and Persian polymaths and philosophers translated the entire body of scientific breakthroughs by Greek and Persian scholars into Arabic.
They established learning institutes, such as the House of Wisdom (Bait-ulHikmah) in Baghdad, which became centers for exchanging knowledge and translating works from various languages.
Muslim scientists and scholars contributed significantly to multiple fields, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, optics, and philosophy. They built upon the knowledge of ancient civilizations and made groundbreaking discoveries.
For example, Muslim astronomers like Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi and Al-Battani made significant advancements in astronomy, including developing trigonometry and accurately measuring celestial objects.
The Islamic Golden Age was a time of great tolerance and intellectual curiosity when Muslim scholars embraced the ideas of scholars outside the Muslim realm, regardless of their origin or faith and held them in great veneration.
They built on the foundations of Greek philosophers and polymaths to make groundbreaking scientific discoveries. The caliphs extended the freedom of thought and patronage to scholars as long as it did not threaten their authority.
However, the decline of scientific and intellectual achievements in the Muslim world began around the 13th century. Various factors contributed to this decline, including political instability, conflicts and a shift in societal values.
While the number of Nobel laureates from the Muslim world is currently limited, it is essential to recognize the historical contributions of Muslim scientists and scholars and the potential for future advancements.
The Quran encourages the acquisition of knowledge and the exploration of the natural world, and there are ongoing efforts to foster scientific progress in Muslim-majority countries.
With continued support, investment and a conducive environment, the Muslim world can reclaim its legacy of scientific excellence and contribute to the advancement of knowledge for the betterment of humanity.
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