Islamic Enlightenment the threefold interaction of science, religion and progress

Description

The concept of enlightenment in Europe represented an intellectual and social revolution that culminated in reducing the political and social role of the Church. Religious practice shifted from the public sphere to a more limited domain, which was soon overshadowed by scientific progress in the European context. Consequently, a comprehensive perception of enlightenment took root in the European imagination, epitomized in the equation: “Progress is restoring the human condition by excluding religion from the public sphere in favor of science.”
In contrast to this perception of religion and progress, Islamic Enlightenment diverged significantly from the European model. It viewed religion as a prerequisite for knowledge and a source of progress. Islam created a unique historical phenomenon by linking religion with both knowledge and advancement. It overturned primitive worldviews and flawed social interactions, granting a central role to reason, removing obstacles to intellectual growth, focusing on ethical dimensions, and paving the way for pioneering scientific achievements.