Does the Shari'ah perspective differ from the scientific perspective?

The Shaykh : We must know that the medical perspective, or let us say generally, the scientific perspective, may differ from the Shari'ah perspective. I do not want this word to imply that science contradicts the Shari'ah, but I want to say that science is limited and will remain limited. Perhaps you know that the Europeans themselves, unfortunately, bear witness to the truth, while many Muslims still do not know it. They say, or at least some of them say: "The more we increase in knowledge, the more we become aware of our ignorance." Perhaps you have heard such a saying. But the Shari'ah, the Shari'ah is a revelation from the Wise, the All-Knowing, so nothing is hidden from Him on earth or in the heavens. Therefore, the knowledge of the Shari'ah is broader than this experimental science. Experimental science has limits at which it stops. Now, you say that medicine says that life begins in the third week, or did I say the sixth, or the third?

The questioner : The fetus begins to move in the sixth week.

The Shaykh : That is it. So we say that this is not the spirit about which we received news from Allah through the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). There is a separate spirit, created from ancient times, very ancient, that is breathed into the fetus in this fourth month, after the fourth month. This life is not that life which doctors discover. And what settles the matter is that semen, as you all know, contains these small, very small creatures that are not seen except by a very, very powerful magnifying microscope. Do these creatures not have life? Yes, but this life is not the spirit, not the spirit that is transferred to it. Therefore, we let science proceed on its path, and we let the Shari'ah proceed on its path, and we do not strike one against the other. And I give you an example. It is known from the astronomical and geographical standpoint that this sun does not set from the earth, is that not so?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Fine, but its rising and setting is a relative matter, relative to the countries located on the surface of the earth. For example, when we see the sun rise from the east, we say, in our custom, what do I call this custom? The general human custom, we say the sun has risen. The Shari'ah also says, in determining the time of the Fajr prayer, until the sun rises. And he (peace be upon him) said: This is the Shari'ah and this is what is seen. But science says that when we see the sun on the peak of the mountain, it is actually still behind the mountain, and it is only the reflections of the rays that have shown it to our eye. So can we say now that when the sun rose, it rose relative to general human vision, but from the theoretical scientific standpoint, it did not rise? So is there a contradiction? No, no, there is no contradiction. The sun rose as we see it; the sun did not rise as precise science sees it. Likewise, the problem of the earth and its sphericity and its movement, which confused some of the shaykhs, and they said: No, the earth is solid and flat and not spherical... and so on. My brother, the earth is as we see it, the earth is a carpet, meaning: in terms of what? In terms of dealing with it as if it were a carpet. But we also see it with our eyes on mountains, in valleys, in seas, so it is not a carpet, like this concrete slab here, no. But in terms of being able to deal with it, and people coming upon it, that they come to their interests in it submissively, as if it is what? A carpet. So if science says that the earth is spherical and that the earth rotates at such a speed, we do not deny this; because science discovers what we do not see with our eyes, as we said earlier. But this does not compel us to strain in interpreting the noble verses and attribute to them meanings they cannot bear, for what? So that it does not differ with what? With science. No, rather we say science proceeds on its path and the Shari'ah proceeds on its path, and both are truth. So when the Exalted said regarding the story of the People of the Cave: If it rises, meaning: relative to the eye itself. It does not concern us after that that science says, and Allah, now the sun has not yet risen; because the rays are what raised it. So the Muslim must be moderate between the knowledge of the Shari'ah, holding onto it and gripping it with his teeth, and with the knowledge as well whose certainty is established, taking it, and then there is no conflict between the knowledge of the Shari'ah and experimental science. This is what should be said on such an occasion. Where is the group of Ali? What is the whole duration? But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you - the Shaykh of the Sunnah laughs - (may Allah have mercy on him).

The questioner : In the passports.