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    Knowledge

    By Dr Farrukh Saleem

    Knowledge is power. Knowledge is 'possession of information, facts, ideas, truths and principles.' If knowledge is power then who has knowledge has power. If knowledge is information, facts and ideas then who possesses information, facts and idea possesses power.

    Imagine, when the Vikings were busy plundering Europe Al Khwarizmi was busy producing mathematical knowledge (calculus of resolution and juxtaposition or hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala). Ibn Sina produced medical as well as philosophical knowledge. Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim had set up Dar al-Hikmah or the House of Knowledge. The Abbasids had set up a research institute called Bayt al-Hikma. Jabir ibn Hayyan was the first chemist to have produced sulphuric acid. Al Zahrawi became the 'Father of Modern Surgery'. Al Zarqali invented the astrolabe (historical astronomical instrument).

    When we were producing knowledge we were powerful. We overpowered Spain. We overpowered Constantinople, Nimes (in France), North Africa, Cypress, Sardinia, Sicily (Italy), Egypt, Jerusalem, Syria, Walachia (Romania), Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Persia, Venice and Hungary (in that order). We occupied Sicily for 264 years. Our occupation of Spain lasted for 700 years.

    Alas, we stopped producing knowledge a thousand years ago. Then, the Ummah's directors directed the Ummah to stop consuming knowledge produced by non-Muslims.

    Now we are powerless, absolutely powerless. Powerless because we produce no knowledge. Powerless because we consider the consumption of knowledge produced by non-Muslims a sinful activity. Powerless because we have failed to diffuse knowledge. Powerless because we have failed to apply knowledge.

    Just when we stopped producing knowledge they founded University of Bologna (founded 1088) followed by the University of Paris in 1150, University of Oxford 1167, University of Cambridge 1209, University of Salamanca (Spain) 1218, University of Montpellier (France) 1220, University of Naples 1222, University of Toulouse (France) 1229, University Complutense de Madrid 1293, University of Rome La Sapienze 1303, University of Pisa 1343, University of Vienna 1365, University of Leipzig (Germany) 1409, University of Catania 1434, University of Glasgow 1451, University of Copenhagen 1479 and University of Aberdeen 1494 (University of the Punjab was established in 1882 by the British Empire).

    Fast forward to 2006. Question: Who has produced the most knowledge so far this year? Answer: Harvard University; founded 1636, the oldest institution of higher learning in the US (as measured by 'highly cited researchers', 'articles in science citation index', 'alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes' and 'articles indexed in major citation indices'). Next to Harvard is the University of Cambridge (formed 1209).

    Imagine, of the top-100 universities on the face of the planet, 51 are based in the United States; less than five per cent of the world population with 51 per cent of the top-100 universities. Imagine, of the top 400 universities not a single -- not even one -- is in a Muslim-majority country. Amazingly, of the top 500 universities on the face of the planet six are based in Israel and two in India (Source: Academic Ranking of World Universities 2006; conducted by an institute run by the Ministry of Education and Shanghai Government; http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/ranking2006.htm).

    Why are we powerless? When was the last time we invented something? When and what was our last contribution to human civilisation? Is this also a Jewish conspiracy? Perhaps, an American one? Did the Jews stop us from producing knowledge? Did the Americans stop us from applying knowledge?

    http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=28341

    The writer is an Islamabad-based freelance columnist. Email: [email protected]
    _____________________


  • #2
    Why?


    It's something my ancestors found out a long time ago. Religion tries to suppress knowledge and keep people ignorant. Islam has been cursed because it succeeded where Christianity failed (although it came damn close) by being able to control the state. The moment any religion gets to be the sole arbiter of a societies' laws, kiss rationality and enlightenment goodbye.
    In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

    Leibniz

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by parihaka View Post
      Why?


      It's something my ancestors found out a long time ago. Religion tries to suppress knowledge and keep people ignorant. Islam has been cursed because it succeeded where Christianity failed (although it came damn close) by being able to control the state. The moment any religion gets to be the sole arbiter of a societies' laws, kiss rationality and enlightenment goodbye.
      I second that.
      Removing a single turd from the cesspool doesn't make any difference.

      Comment


      • #4
        Very true, parihaka:)

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by tarek View Post
          Knowledge is power. Knowledge is 'possession of information, facts, ideas, truths and principles.' If knowledge is power then who has knowledge has power. If knowledge is information, facts and ideas then who possesses information, facts and idea possesses power.
          Way to start your article, with time-old clichés.

          Imagine, when the Vikings were busy plundering Europe Al Khwarizmi was busy producing mathematical knowledge (calculus of resolution and juxtaposition or hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala). Ibn Sina produced medical as well as philosophical knowledge. Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim had set up Dar al-Hikmah or the House of Knowledge. The Abbasids had set up a research institute called Bayt al-Hikma. Jabir ibn Hayyan was the first chemist to have produced sulphuric acid. Al Zahrawi became the 'Father of Modern Surgery'. Al Zarqali invented the astrolabe (historical astronomical instrument).
          Nostalgia for the good ol' days is all you have? Awww.

          When we were producing knowledge we were powerful. We overpowered Spain. We overpowered Constantinople, Nimes (in France), North Africa, Cypress, Sardinia, Sicily (Italy), Egypt, Jerusalem, Syria, Walachia (Romania), Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Persia, Venice and Hungary (in that order). We occupied Sicily for 264 years. Our occupation of Spain lasted for 700 years.
          And then you got beaten back... and then colonised.

          Now we are powerless, absolutely powerless. Powerless because we produce no knowledge. Powerless because we consider the consumption of knowledge produced by non-Muslims a sinful activity. Powerless because we have failed to diffuse knowledge. Powerless because we have failed to apply knowledge.
          You're not powerless. You sit on a load of oil, and influence world events, largely for the worse.

          Why are we powerless? When was the last time we invented something? When and what was our last contribution to human civilisation? Is this also a Jewish conspiracy? Perhaps, an American one? Did the Jews stop us from producing knowledge? Did the Americans stop us from applying knowledge?
          You answer your own question earlier:

          Alas, we stopped producing knowledge a thousand years ago. Then, the Ummah's directors directed the Ummah to stop consuming knowledge produced by non-Muslims.
          HD Ready?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by HistoricalDavid View Post
            Way to start your article, with time-old clichés.



            Nostalgia for the good ol' days is all you have? Awww.



            And then you got beaten back... and then colonised.



            You're not powerless. You sit on a load of oil, and influence world events, largely for the worse.



            You answer your own question earlier:
            Tarek was merely showing us an aricle written by Dr Saleem that was published in a Pakistani newspaper. I think it was rather brave of the good doctor to pose his questions to a wide readership. Many of the papers readers might think the same way, but it would be most unwise for them to say so in public. I can only hope that they do in private.
            Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

            Comment


            • #7
              It's a sad commentary on a region where the best thing invented/adopted in the last 30 years is a suicide belt....

              Comment


              • #8
                It is an excellent article which has done introspection and it is a wake up call as also a challenge that should be taken up.

                As Parihaka has correctly deduced, a overpowering grip of religion, does emasculate knowledge and creativity.

                Christianity has gone through this phase too! Many a scientist, philosopher or thinker had been branded heretics. Fortunately, Christianity grew out of it and progressed into a better world.

                I am sure that there will come a time when once again Islam will be on the path of quest for knowledge and may even become pacesetters.


                "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

                I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

                HAKUNA MATATA

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Ray View Post
                  It is an excellent article which has done introspection and it is a wake up call as also a challenge that should be taken up.
                  .
                  I agree.
                  In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

                  Leibniz

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Ray View Post
                    Christianity has gone through this phase too! Many a scientist, philosopher or thinker had been branded heretics. Fortunately, Christianity grew out of it and progressed into a better world.
                    When the Xtians had this problem there was no such thing as High Explosives....let alone thermonuclear devices.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by M21Sniper View Post
                      When the Xtians had this problem there was no such thing as High Explosives....let alone thermonuclear devices.
                      Which is why it is more imperative that Islams transition to an adult philosophy cannot be left up to natural progression the way Christianity's was. We have to take an active hand in this one.
                      In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

                      Leibniz

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by parihaka View Post
                        Religion tries to suppress knowledge and keep people ignorant. Islam has been cursed because it succeeded where Christianity failed (although it came damn close) by being able to control the state. The moment any religion gets to be the sole arbiter of a societies' laws, kiss rationality and enlightenment goodbye.
                        One of my informal standards for "Civilization," is secularization. You cannot call yourself civilized until you've told your religion to stuff it. This does not mean abandoning Faith and religion, but denying religion a central role in politics.

                        A religion is strongest when it is politically weak, anyway. So this also does a service to religion.
                        - Dennis
                        --
                        Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
                        -Sir Winston Churchill

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by parihaka View Post
                          Which is why it is more imperative that Islams transition to an adult philosophy cannot be left up to natural progression the way Christianity's was. We have to take an active hand in this one.
                          Islam cannot change itself and remain Islam. The Koran is written to preclude that. The Bible isn't, so Christians were able to adapt. That's the fatal flaw in Islam that may relegate it to the radioactive ash heap of history.
                          - Dennis
                          --
                          Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
                          -Sir Winston Churchill

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I don't totally agree that it's all about religion ideology... Well, it also plays some role to a certain extent. It's not just Middle East that lost its grip on world knowledge power. Practically most of Asia also faces the same problem and finally the Europeans clearly surpassed Asians around 15th-16th century.

                            China was powerful in knowledge centuries ago (not to say that they are weak now, they are strong and getting stronger). The Chinese invented the gunpowder although it was used only as fireworks. Mathematics algebra came from Middle East. There are lots more example of knowledge powers in Asia! Unfortunately, according to the book I read, "Fall and Rise of The Great Powers", (I forgot who wrote the book) one reason why the Europeans surpass the Asians is because Europeans decided to adopt reality over mystics, unlike other nations from Asia or Africa who still believe in fate, mystics, witchcrafts, unscientific remedies, etc. Age or Reason might be the turning point of Europeans knowledge and information.

                            Christianity also believed in fate and mystics, and long ago the Roman Chatolic Church played big part in European politics. But after the protestant movement came, things were getting different. People tend to think that they have the control to determine their future politically or scientifically/technology and that's why they improved. In the society where I live, muslims believe that how good or bad their life is determined by Allah and they have little part in determining their own fate. I think if we want to get realistic, we can determine our own future although we can’t deny that religion is still important. The key here is democracy, Islam majority countries tend to have extremists who believe that religion should govern the country and it definitely suppress the freedom of speech. As a matter of fact, the basic foundation of Islam itself teaches the people not to be critical especially to Allah. Islam countries should have a more moderate way of thinking to once again take part in world technology.
                            ~~~The Victim of Truth~~~

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