Publication:

Scientific worldview and pessimism : an Islamic critique

If science is defined as established scientific facts agreed upon by the majority of the current scientific community, and the scientific worldview is defined as interpreting scientific facts to mean that the entirety of life has no value, interest, or usefulness except as understood by scientific facts, then, it follows that science and the scientific worldview are not the same. In addition, if pessimism is defined as the negative outlook about the religious worldviews having no basis of revealed knowledge in light of the scientific worldview, then, there is serious polarisation in thought patterns, and pessimism can arise among contemporary Muslim Youth. There is no problem with science; however, the scientific worldview causes pessimism, which ultimately can lead to Dawkins� version of new atheism among youth worldwide. Muslim youth are not exempt from this problem, which ultimately leads to growiIf science is defined as established scientific facts agreed upon by the majority of the current scientific community, and the scientific worldview is defined as interpreting scientific facts to mean that the entirety of life has no value, interest, or usefulness except as understood by scientific facts, then, it follows that science and the scientific worldview are not the same. In addition, if pessimism is defined as the negative outlook about the religious worldviews having no basis of revealed knowledge in light of the scientific worldview, then, there is serious polarisation in thought patterns, and pessimism can arise among contemporary Muslim Youth. There is no problem with science; however, the scientific worldview causes pessimism, which ultimately can lead to Dawkins’ version of new atheism among youth worldwide. Muslim youth are not exempt from this problem, which ultimately leads to growing pessimism in their mind. There is a contemporary trend of Islamophobia and apostasy within the Muslim community. With the development of science and technology, the scientific worldview is also developing. Scientific worldview is vehemently advocated and popularised by New Atheist academicians like Lawrence Krauss, Richard Dawkins, and others. Consequently, some Muslim Youth are vulnerable to the scientific worldview. This research uses the qualitative methodology to understand the link between the scientific worldview and pessimism among Muslim youth. Descriptive as well as normative methods are used for this thesis. This research explores firstly the philosophical scopes of Pessimism and the impact of the scientific worldview on pessimism. Then, the thesis examines the works of Richard Dawkins, propounding New Atheism, and Ibn Warraq’s case study on apostasy among Muslim youth due to the influence of modern science. The research further examines the writings of Imam Ghazali and Muhammad Iqbal to find some answers against the scientific worldview. This research also investigates the Quranic teaching. Lastly, the thesis shows the contemporary relevance of studying pessimism among Muslim youth to encounter the possible threats within Muslim societies. The research finds that due to science-based education within Muslim countries, the scientific worldview is gradually affecting some Muslim youth with a sense of pessimism, thinking Islam is not the true revealed religion coming from a divine source. Rather it is a man-made, organised religion like other world religions. Hence, the notion that the existence of Allah is purely fictional to these vulnerable Muslim youth. They become Islamophobic and apostate as a consequence of their pessimistic mindset about Islam. This research is significant because it will help governments of Muslim countries to address Islamophobia and apostasy among Muslim youth by changing education policy based on the Islamisation or Integration of Knowledge model. This thesis suggests that, along with science education, empowering Muslim students with proper Islamic education and helping them develop critical thinking skills can help to prevent Islamophobia and apostasy among Muslim youth. By changing educational policies based on the Islamisation of Knowledge, Muslim countries can encounter this specific type of pessimism coming from the scientific worldview. ng pessimism in their mind. There is a contemporary trend of Islamophobia and apostasy within the Muslim community. With the development of science and technology, the scientific worldview is also developing. Scientific worldview is vehemently advocated and popularised by New Atheist academicians like Lawrence Krauss, Richard Dawkins, and others. Consequently, some Muslim Youth are vulnerable to the scientific worldview. This research uses the qualitative methodology to understand the link between the scientific worldview and pessimism among Muslim youth. Descriptive as well as normative methods are used for this thesis. This research explores firstly the philosophical scopes of Pessimism and the impact of the scientific worldview on pessimism. Then, the thesis examines the works of Richard Dawkins, propounding New Atheism, and Ibn Warraq�s case study on apostasy among Muslim youth due to the influence of modern science. The research further examines the writings of Imam Ghazali and Muhammad Iqbal to find some answers against the scientific worldview. This research also investigates the Quranic teaching. Lastly, the thesis shows the contemporary relevance of studying pessimism among Muslim youth to encounter the possible threats within Muslim societies. The research finds that due to science-based education within Muslim countries, the scientific worldview is gradually affecting some Muslim youth with a sense of pessimism, thinking Islam is not the true revealed religion coming from a divine source. Rather it is a man-made, organised religion like other world religions. Hence, the notion that the existence of Allah is purely fictional to these vulnerable Muslim youth. They become Islamophobic and apostate as a consequence of their pessimistic mindset about Islam. This research is significant because it will help governments of Muslim countries to address Islamophobia and apostasy among Muslim youth by changing education policy based on the Islamisation or Integration of Knowledge model. This thesis suggests that, along with science education, empowering Muslim students with proper Islamic education and helping them develop critical thinking skills can help to prevent Islamophobia and apostasy among Muslim youth. By changing educational policies based on the Islamisation of Knowledge, Muslim countries can encounter this specific type of pessimism coming from the scientific worldview.