The two greatest revolutionary ideas of the modern age, namely the theory of a moving by Galileo and the theory of evolution by Darwin are both accepted through pre-distribution of mind, as against the religion quite out of spite otherwise what decisive point is there to prove the rotation of the earth, or the evolution of man. Both these points seem to be on the other side of the mountain which demarcates the limits of human understanding and certainly with the turning tide for the religion both these theories shall see their rejection; not through any decisive point of a proof, but merely due the reversal of the disposition of humanity’s mind. Yet the earth I say, does belong to God and it makes no difference to us its inhabitants primarily, whether it stands are whether it moves; but do you deny the bad effects which this theory has had on the human mind against the faith & religion. And do you not see with your own eyes the anti-religious effect which the theory of evolution has made upon the mind of humanity. Yet do we not all know, that whether we were evolved from a baser animal or whether we were created in the very same order & from in which we find ourselves, would not make a bit of difference in our immediate problems and the purpose of our creation. Why all this? This because the religion and modern science are basically opposed to each other and the survival of the one would mean the annihilation of the other. But the decision we must remember shall be made by the factor, whether of the two is more essential for the existence and survival of mankind; that is which of the two is more natural for them. To me it seems that religion is more natural. For the religion and I cite here Islam as an exemplary religion leaves a reasonable margin for the acquirement of material necessities of human body, beside the real practice of faith, where as the modern science; the mother of the machine ridden materialism leaves basically no recognition for the spiritual and allows no room for the practice of religion. Men may be in difficulty to appreciate this point now, but after a number of years when the pressure of material progress shall be felt in full, there shall be no time or distribution of mind left even for the five times prayers a day, the modern science shall then be in full swing.
Philosophical Overview
In Gabrielian Philosophy, the premise titled "The Enmity between Religion and Science" is identified as a historic, artificial conflict engineered by post-Enlightenment Western secularism. Allama Muhammad Yousaf Gabriel (1917–2006) argued that there is no intrinsic conflict between divine revelation (Religion) and empirical inquiry (Science).
Instead, the conflict arose historically when modern science adopted Baconian Materialism—a paradigm pioneered by Francis Bacon that systematically severed scientific exploration from divine morality, spiritual teleology, and ethical restraint.
Genesis of the Conflict: The Baconian Divergence
[ UNIFIED KNOWLEDGE ]
(Science Pursued under Divine Moral Law)
│
▼
[ THE BACONIAN SEPARATION ]
(Francis Bacon Divorces Science from Ethics)
│
┌────────────────────┴────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ RELIGION / FAITH ] [ SECULAR SCIENCE ]
Spiritual, moral, & Empirical, power-driven, &
transcendent purpose materially unlimited
│ │
└────────────────────┬────────────────────┘
│
▼
[ CONFLICT & CATASTROPHE ]
(Subatomic Fission & The Atomic Bomb - *Al-Hutamah*)
According to Gabriel, the historical rupture developed across three primary stages:
1. The Pre-Baconian Harmony
Historically, within the Islamic Golden Age and early holistic philosophy, studying the physical universe was considered an act of worship—observing God’s signs (Ayat) in nature. Physical inquiry operated within strict moral boundaries, serving human well-being and spiritual elevation.
2. The Baconian Rupture
In the 17th century, Francis Bacon (1561–1626) redefined the objective of science: shifting it from understanding divine truth to acquiring physical power and dominating nature. Science declared its independence from religious ethics, giving birth to a purely secular, utility-driven methodology.
3. The Ultimate Consequence: Subatomic Fire (Al-Hutamah)
Gabriel asserts that when science rejected religious moral boundaries, its technological power grew exponentially while its moral wisdom withered. This imbalance inevitably culminated in the split nucleus, producing nuclear weapons and radioactive fallout—the exact destruction foretold in Surah Al-Humazah (104) as Al-Hutamah.
Comparative Analysis: Reconciliation vs. Conflict
Theoretical Axis
Secular Baconian Science
Quranic Integrated Framework
Primary Goal
Material utility, physical domination, and power.
Understanding creation (Bil-Haqq) and exercising moral stewardship (Khilafah).
Ethical Control
Internal/Secular (often dictated by political or state interest).
Bound by Divine Law, moral accountability (Akhirah), and universal human sanctity.
View of Nature
A dead mechanism to be dissected and exploited.
A purposeful, balanced creation (Mizan) containing divine signs (Ayat).
Final Result
Nuclear proliferation, ecological crisis, and existential risk.
Harmonious technological progress governed by the Abrahamic Remedy.
Resolving the Conflict: The Abrahamic Remedy
Gabriel concluded that the "enmity" between religion and science cannot be resolved by abandoning scientific inquiry, nor by submitting to unchecked material progress.
The conflict is reconciled only when science is re-anchored within divine revelation:
Moral Restraint: Restricting research that threatens the biosphere or human survival (such as subatomic fission and nuclear weapons).
Universal Disarmament: Utilizing spiritual ethics to dismantle nuclear arsenals worldwide.
Ethical Science: Redirecting human intellect toward preserving life, healing nature, and honoring the Creator.