As I mentioned in my last Khutba, ‘Living in the Revolution’, there are three things that we must change in our approach to life to leverage the benefits of technology and counter its ill effects. Change the way we connect with Allahﷻ and Rasoolullahﷺ, change the way we teach, and change the way we relate with one another.  In the 15th century in Medieval Europe the conflict between the Church and scientists came to a head. The Pope was Urban VIII and the scientist was Galileo. Galileo's theory of Copernican heliocentrism (Earth rotating daily and revolving around the Sun) was opposed by the Catholic Church. The matter was investigated by the Roman Inquisition in 1615, which concluded that heliocentrism was foolish, and heretical since it contradicted Holy Scripture.

Galileo later defended his views in Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), which appeared to attack Pope Urban VIII and thus he was tried by the Inquisition, found ‘vehemently suspect of heresy’, and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest. The reason I am mentioning this is because we Muslims inherited this conflict between the Church (in our case our Ulama) and scientists without any reason because there is, in fact, no conflict between Islam and science.

The purpose of science is to peel back the layers of the appearance of objects to reveal their underlying nature. The purpose of Islam is to peel back the layers of the appearance of objects to reveal their underlying purpose. Let’s see what happens in practice. I call it the “Why” versus “How” conundrum.

When you ask “Why” something happens, science tells you “How” it happens. For example, if you ask why do rogue waves happen? You are told, “Waves coming at different speeds from different directions suddenly meet and mingle into one big rogue wave. Strong waves collide with fast-flowing ocean currents coming from the opposite direction, slowing down the waves so that they pile up and form rogue waves.” The answer is perfectly correct but not for the question you asked. Is this the answer to the question: “Why?” Or are they telling us “How” rogue waves are formed? Is it important to know how it happens? Of course, it is. But does that answer your question about why? ‘How’ is the method or mechanics. ‘Why’ is the cause or reason. Both are important but not in the same way. Just as ‘How’ is different from ‘Why’, so are the answers. Also, if you want to know how to change something, you must know why it happened. Just understanding the mechanics is not enough. You need to know the reason.

The real answer to “Why” can only be given by the One who made it happen. Let me give you an example. If you invite me for dinner and make Hyderabadi Biryani, I will be totally delighted. Then imagine that overcome with happiness, I ask you, “Ya Habeebi, why did you do this?” Listen to my question: ‘Why did you do this?’ You answer, ‘Take a pot and wash it well. Then take good quality Basmati rice and wash it well. Then cut up the mutton because Biryani with any other meat is Bida’a. Wash the mutton well in lime juice and then with water.’ I say to you, ‘Hello! Excuse me. I asked you why you took all the trouble to make this delicious Biryani. You are telling me the recipe of Biryani. While that is good to know, it doesn't answer my question. Why did you do it?’ You respond, ‘That is what I am trying to tell you. Just listen.’ And this ridiculous conversation continues. Tell me, is my question, ‘WHY did you make Biryani for me?’, answered, if you learn HOW to make Biryani?

The source of confusion is modern education that is taught without considering the nature of the Creator and His Will in His creation. Since the Creator is not recognized, His Will is not recognized. This leads to gaps in knowledge which are attempted to be...