The Qur’an and The Scientific Study of Nature

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Distinguished Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

10.30497/isqh.2026.78086

Abstract

While the Qur’an is not a scientific manual, it contains more than seven hundred verses referring to natural phenomena, consistently encouraging reflection, observation, and rational contemplation. The Qur’an conceptualizes nature as a realm of divine signs (ayat), designed not only to meet human needs but also to stimulate intellectual growth and spiritual awareness. This expanded study incorporates classical Islamic scholarship, modern philosophy of science, and contemporary Qur’anic exegesis to provide a deeper analysis of the epistemological structures embedded within the Qur’an. It evaluates divergent approaches to the so‑called “scientific verses,” reviews impediments to proper cognition, and examines the Qur’an’s integration of empirical observation, rationality, and revelation. The article concludes that the Qur’an promotes a balanced epistemology that supports scientific inquiry while safeguarding it from reductionist worldviews and uncritical assimilation of speculative scientific theories.

Keywords

Article Title [العربیة]

The Qur’an and The Scientific Study of Nature

Author [العربیة]

  • مهدي کلشني
Distinguished Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract [العربیة]

While the Qur’an is not a scientific manual, it contains more than seven hundred verses referring to natural phenomena, consistently encouraging reflection, observation, and rational contemplation. The Qur’an conceptualizes nature as a realm of divine signs (ayat), designed not only to meet human needs but also to stimulate intellectual growth and spiritual awareness. This expanded study incorporates classical Islamic scholarship, modern philosophy of science, and contemporary Qur’anic exegesis to provide a deeper analysis of the epistemological structures embedded within the Qur’an. It evaluates divergent approaches to the so‑called “scientific verses,” reviews impediments to proper cognition, and examines the Qur’an’s integration of empirical observation, rationality, and revelation. The article concludes that the Qur’an promotes a balanced epistemology that supports scientific inquiry while safeguarding it from reductionist worldviews and uncritical assimilation of speculative scientific theories.

Keywords [العربیة]

  • The Qur’an
  • Scientific Study
  • Nature

References

  1. The Holy Qurʾān. (n.d.). [Classical work].

    1. Bakar, O. (1991). Classification of knowledge in Islam. Islamic Texts Society.
    2. Barbour, I. (1997). Religion and science: Historical and contemporary issues. HarperCollins.
    3. Chalmers, A. (1999). What is this thing called science? Hackett Publishing.
    4. Golshani, M. (1997). Issues in Islam and science. Institute for Humanities.
    5. Ibn Sina (Avicenna). (1952). The metaphysics of the healing (M. Marmura, Trans.). Brigham Young University Press.
    6. Nasr, S. H. (1968). Science and civilization in Islam. Harvard University Press.
    7. Nasr, S. H. (1993). The need for a sacred science. State University of New York Press.
    8. Polanyi, M. (1958). Personal knowledge. University of Chicago Press.
    9. Tabataba’i, M. H. (1973). Al-Mizan fi tafsir al-Qur’an. Islamic Publications.
    10. al‑Biruni, A. R. (1879). The chronology of ancient nations (C. Sachau, Trans.). Oriental Translation Fund.
Interdisciplinary Studies of Quran & Hadith

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 January 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 06 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 January 2026

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