King George II of England sent his niece, Princess Dubant, to the head of a delegation of 18 girls from noble and distinguished families to Seville, accompanied by the chief of staff of the royal palace, who carried a letter from the king to the caliph Hisham III.
The letter stated: "From George III, King of England, France, and Norway, to the caliph, King of Muslims in the kingdom of Andalusia, his greatness Hisham III, esteemed and revered, after the utmost respect and veneration. We have heard of the great advancements enjoyed by the pure bounty of the centers of knowledge and industries in your thriving land. We wish to borrow models of these virtues for the dissemination of knowledge in our country, surrounded by ignorance on all sides. We have placed our niece, Princess Dubant, at the head of a delegation of English noblewomen, to be honored by kissing the fringes of the throne and seeking your kindness, so that she and her companions may receive your great attention, the protection of the esteemed court, and care from those who will educate them. The little princess has brought a humble gift for your esteemed presence; I hope you will graciously accept it.
Your obedient servant, George."
The Quran and the Contemporary Scientific Method
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali narrated this story as quoted by Abdul Halim Al-Jundi in his book "The Quran and the Contemporary Scientific Method," among other writers, as part of the assertion that Islamic civilization made great progress, to the extent that Westerners sought to benefit from its sciences in the dark European world.
Immense Progress
This story reveals the immense progress achieved by Islamic civilization in theoretical and applied sciences, to the point where the entire world viewed it with reverence and esteem, and various nations were eager to draw from the beneficial Islamic civilization.
However, the Islamic nation today is the one that needs to reflect on its glorious history and ancient civilization in order to regain its former glory and occupy the highest and most prestigious positions. What are the ways to achieve this?
- Prohibition of Despair and Encouragement of Hope:
A Muslim should never despair and should instead open the doors of hope for reaching favorable and optimal conditions. Allah, the Almighty, says: (O my sons, go and inquire about Joseph and his brother and do not despair of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people) (Joseph: 87). Allah also says: (And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray) (Al-Hijr: 56). Furthermore, a Muslim should never consider himself or his methodology inferior. The believer is noble and honorable whenever he adheres to his religion, which is why Allah said: (So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are believers) (Al-Imran: 139).
- Increase in Sending Students for Pursuing Knowledge from Advanced Countries:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge. In Sunan Ibn Majah, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." Additionally, Tirmidhi reported from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The word of wisdom is the lost property of the believer; wherever he finds it, he is more deserving of it."
3- Contracting with Western Scientific Talents for Teaching in Islamic Lands:
The Islamic community is keen to benefit from any proposal that serves this nation and elevates it. This is exemplified by the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he sought the help of Abdullah ibn Uraiqit, a pagan, as a guide on the night of the migration from Mecca to Medina, and when he took the advice of Salman the Persian in digging the trench, as well as accepting the proposal of Tamim al-Dari to build the pulpit.
4- Supporting Exceptional and Distinguished Individuals in Applied Sciences:
The state should adopt exceptional individuals in applied sciences and support them through various forms of patronage and care, either through official institutions, charitable individuals, or through the Zakat fund. This is out of the necessity for them in building sound thought and serious, upright work.
5- Reducing Theoretical Studies and Strengthening and Generalizing Vocational Studies:
Vocational studies contribute to the practical application of theoretical sciences and derive real benefits for people. The need for applied sciences is much greater than merely acquiring theoretical knowledge of some rules and theories. Additionally, vocational studies are a way to open minds for creativity, innovation, and envisioning the future.
6- Convincing the Affluent and Wealthy to Invest in Research Institutions:
Scholars and preachers should approach the affluent and wealthy with persuasion and establish a legitimate argument that the Islamic community's need for laboratories is no less important than its need for mosques. An establishment for intellectual work is preferable to calling for laziness and inactivity, and the worship of a knowledgeable person is better than the worship of an ignorant one. This prepares them and others to work for what benefits the people and advances their upliftment, instead of relying on individual private endeavors.
7- Protecting Exceptional Individuals from the Resentment of the Envious:
The Islamic community must take care to provide all necessary requirements for exceptional individuals and create supportive environments for them, enabling them to uplift the nation. Therefore, they should be appreciated, respected, taken care of, and provided with pathways to advance scientifically within society. Why shouldn't we respect those whom Allah has raised in rank and elevated their status, as He said: "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." (Al-Mujadila: 11)
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(1) The Bitter Truth: Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali (1/8).
(2) The Friday and Eid Sermons Between Tradition and Renewal: Dr. Bakr Zaki Awad, pp. 195-196.
