The History of Islamic Science and Its Characteristics: A Valuable Contribution to the Development of Islam in Modern Times

THE HISTORY OF ISLAMIC SCIENCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS: A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM IN MODERN TIMES Muhammad Badrun*1, Alhafidh Nasution2, Dandi Setiawan3, Nizhof Lubbi Ma’arif4 1 Darussalam University, Gontor, Indonesia International Islamic University, Malaysia 3 Darussalam University, Gontor, Indonesia 4 Darussalam University, Gontor, Indonesia 2 Abstract As a religion that encompasses comprehensive aspects of life, Islam has made important contributions to science throughout its history. The history of Islamic science dates back to the early Islamic enlightenment from the 7th to the 14th century AD. Strong emphasis was placed on the synthesis between science and religion. Scientific thinking and research were conducted with the understanding that knowledge of the universe was integral to an understanding of God's creation. Islamic science is characterised by an inclusive and multi-disciplinary approach. Muslim scholars of the time did not limit themselves to one particular field of science, but rather studied and developed knowledge in various disciplines such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, physics, chemistry and philosophy. His valuable contributions to human civilisation. It also raises the question of how Muslims can combine the scientific heritage of Islam with the demands and challenges of the modern world, and how such a fusion can contribute to the sustainable and progressive development of Islam. As a result, the concept of Islamic science continues to be developed to this day. Keywords: Islamic Science; History of science; Characteristics of science. INTRODUCTION In Islam, science has a broad meaning and is closely related to the search for knowledge, understanding, and scientific development that is beneficial to humans (Al-Attas, 1999). The understanding of science in Islam is based on the principles of Islamic theology which teach the importance of knowledge, and one's faith in Islam, science is considered as one of worldview to understand the creation of Allah SWT (Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, 1995). Scientific research and understanding of science as an effort to seek haqq (truth) of Allah’s wisdom and majesty as the creator (Al-Attas, 1993). Therefore, science in Islam combines an approach between science and spirituality in acquiring knowledge. Science in Islam is also considered as a form of worship. By studying all aspects of knowledge without violating the provisions of Islamic law and thoughts that have the potential to damage the Aqeedah of the Islamic religion, Muslims are expected to be able to use their knowledge for the benefit of mankind and as a way to get closer to Allah SWT. Therefore, science in Islam has a strong ethical dimension, which emphasizes the use of knowledge and technology for good and beneficial purposes for humans. Islam also does not only view knowledge as a useful knowledge but a very important tool to recognize and find al-Haqq (truth) about the essence of knowledge in Islam beyond what is in other religions, cultures and civilizations (Alfi, 2018). in the 8th century to the 12th century AD, at this time, Muslims were in the golden age. The era in which Islamic science and civilization developed rapidly reached itis peak. At that time *Correspondance Author: Article History | Submited: 04 September, 2023 | Revised: 20 Mei, 2024|Accepted: 06 Juni, 2024 |Publish: 02 Juli 2024 HOW TO CITE (APA 6th Edition): Badrun, Muhammad., Nasution, Alhafidh., Setiawan, Dandi., Ma’arif Nizhof Lubbi. (2024). The History of Islamic Science and its Characteristics: A Valuable Contribution to the Development of Islam in Modern Times. Juspi: Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban Islam. 8(1), page.31-37 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.30829/juspi.v8i1.17212 31 Muhammad Badrun, Alhafidh Nasution, Dandi Setiawan, Nizhof Lubbi Ma’arif Muslims became world leaders because of their great attention not only to religious knowledge, but general sciences and pure sciences. At this time, very intelligent, active and reliable figures and scientists emerged, as mentioned, Al-Kindi (185 H/807M-260 H/873M), Al-Khwarizmi (d. 249 H/863M), Al-Razi (2551H/865M-313H/925M), AlFarabi (258H/870M-339H/950M), Ibn Sina (370H/980M-428/1037M), Al-Biruni (362H/973M-442H/1051M), Al -Ghazali (450H/1058M505H/1111 M) (Rosyidi, 2016). So it is necessary to understand the meaning of science according to an Islamic perspective by looking at history during the golden age of Islam which gave birth to intelligent Muslim scientists by looking at the history and character or characteristics of the scientific disciplines of that era. The author wants to describe how the development of science in Islam and its contribution so that the development of science exists in modern times by looking from a historical perspective between Islamic and western science which aims to prove that science cannot be separated from religion. This is different from the western understanding of science where the secularism happens between science and religion. The method used by the author is a method of descriptive analysis techniques to investigate the history of Islamic science, its characteristics, and its valuable contribution to the development of Islam in modern times. This study aims to provide a detailed and systematic description of the development of Islamic science and to analyze its characteristics and its impact in the context of the development of Islam in modern times. qualitatively by referring to primary book sources and journals that explain or describe the history of the development of science in Islam and its contribution to modern times. RESEARCH METHOD The method used by the author is a method of descriptive analysis techniques to investigate the history of Islamic science, its characteristics, and its valuable contribution to the development of Islam in modern times. This study aims to provide a detailed and systematic description of the development of Islamic science and to analyze its characteristics and its impact in the context of the development of Islam in modern times. qualitatively by referring to primary book sources and journals that explain or describe the history of the development of science in Islam and its contribution to modern times. RESULT AND DISCUSSION The Age of Prophet Muhammad Saw Science has developed since the time of the Prophet Muhammad Saw. However, this knowledge is only in the form of applied knowledge for preaching and development of the Muslim community (Zakariya, 2018). After the Prophet's death, Islamic civilization expanded to various areas, especially Islamic science which developed during the peak of civilization from this science, during the golden age of Islamic civilization (Sari R et al, 2023). The following is the classification of the development period of the history of Islamic science and its characteristics and contributions to the modern period. The development of the history of science in the Islamic context at (...truncated)