 Islam and Development

The development of science and technology in the world has now been controlled by
Western civilization, the material welfare and prosperity generated by the development of
modern science and technology has made many people admire and then imitate the lifestyle
without being selected in advance for all the negative impacts of the future or the
multidimensional crisis that results. Islam does not hinder the progress of science and
technology, nor is it anti-technological products in the past, present or future. [ CITATION
Alf18 \l 1033 ]

In Islam itself, the Al-Qur’an never restricts its people from being advanced and modern,
Islam actually supports the progress of its people to conduct research and experiment in any
field, including technology. For Islam, technology is a part of Allah's verses that we need to
explore and find the truth. according to the law of origin, everything is permissible, including
all that is presented by various civilizations. As for modern civilization which is so
widespread in promoting sophisticated technology products such as those that exist today, for
example, communication tools and others. The tools resulting from the development of
technology are not responsible for what it causes, but it is the responsibility of the humans
who use and operate them. There are science and technology products that are useful when
humans use them properly and appropriately and can also bring sin and calamity when they
are used for indulgence and pleasure.

The progress and development of science and technology has provided facilities and
welfare for human life. Science and technology are two figures that cannot be separated from
each other. Science is a source of technology capable of providing the possibility for the
emergence of various engineering discoveries and ideas. Technology is the application or
application of science that can be shown in tangible results that are more sophisticated and
can encourage humans to develop even more. As Muslims we must realize that the
philosophical foundations for developing science and technology can be studied and explored
in the Al-Qur’an, because this holy book contains a lot of information about science and
technology. Islam is a religion that regulates all aspects of human life and provides basic
guidelines for developing culture as high as possible, so that humans are happy in this world
and in the hereafter. Islam, as stated in the Al-Quran and the Sunnah can act as a guide to the
development of human life, including the development of science and technology. [ CITATION
Sah99 \l 1033 ]
 In the Al-Qur’an itself, there are letters that discuss how Allah instructs us to reason,
namely applying the scientific method to study the universe, for example, as in Surah Ali
Imran (190-191) which means: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the
alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason They are˺ those who
remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation
of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this
without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire”. This verse also
states that in this universe the principle of "openness to reasoning" applies. This principle is
very important for the development of science or knowledge through scientific research. If
human beings are diligent in reasoning and researching various natural phenomena that vary
throughout the universe, they will undoubtedly be fortunate to find pearls of truth in the form
of characteristic properties of natural objects and their laws.[ CITATION UMJ98 \l 1033 ]

Broadly speaking, Islam provides guidance so that industries starting from the initial
process of exploration until the results to be achieved run in order to realize a life of righteous
deeds, so that there are eternal values of ukhrowi virtues, or can be contained in them. This
means that exploration that is purely worldly in nature does not lose its virtue, namely for the
welfare of mankind itself, as well as a means of doing good to one human being and
supporting to know and worship God better. So, it becomes clearer here, that Islam guides
technology and science to a life that benefits humans in the hereafter in order to avoid being
destroyed because of the carelessness of their own hands or because of the torment and wrath
of Allah. That is, all of that is always at the level of human nature itself and has a direction to
participate in the successful fulfillment of human duties as servants of Allah and caliph on
this earth.

An example is the word of Allah SWT in Surah Al-Anbya verse 80 which means " We
taught him the art of making body armour to protect you in battle. Will you then be
grateful?". From this information it is clear that humans are required to do something by
means of technology. So, it is not surprising that in the 7th century AD there were many
Islamic thinkers who were strong productive and innovative in the development of science
and technology. Islam is the Religion of Rahmatallil'alamin which means mercy for all
nature. Humans are God's most perfect creatures. We are given creativity, taste, and initiative.
We are given the ability to feel things that other beings don't. Allah also gave revelations to
Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH). The first sentence is "Iqra", which means that we as
servants of Allah should always read. Reading in this case is not only reading something that
is written, but also something that is visual in nature. In the form of a picture of life. We read
how Allah created mountains, and so forth. [ CITATION UMJ98 \l 1033 ]

References
Alim, S. (1999). Menguak keterpaduan Sain, Teknologi dan Islam. Titian Ilahi Press.

Ubaidillah, A. (2018, December 19). Pandangan Islam terhadap Perkembangan Teknologi. Retrieved
from Kompasiana:
https://www.kompasiana.com/alfiubaidillah/5c1a316f43322f3547548463/pandangan-islam-
terhadap-perkembangan-teknologi

UMJ. (1998). Al-Islam dan Iptek. Jakarta: RajaGrafindo Persada.