Science without spirituality, source of trouble: Jazari

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Thursday, 07 December 2023

The president of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University said, “It is necessary for you students to reach the spiritual peaks as much as you reach the scientific peaks. Because science without spirituality, and spirituality without science, both are sources of trouble.”

ABWA Official Website – On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the commemoration of Student Day at AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Saeed Jazari, President of the University, gave a speech to non-Iranian students and university professors.

At the beginning of his speech, referring to the status of Student Day, Hojat al-Islam Jazari stated, “This day belongs to each and every one of you students. I am really proud and happy to feel the joy and spirituality you have in me. Today I visited the exhibition that was set up on the sidelines of the venue and enjoyed it. I wish students from other universities were also present here and benefited from these works of art.”

Scientific background of Iran

“Many countries celebrate Student’s Day, and this day is important for them,” he continued, “Because each of you students must build the future of your society, and you are being trained to build your country. In addition, I hope you also know the Islamic Iran. In particular, the professors of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University need to introduce this land to you, as it is necessary for us to know your land. Therefore, I asked the Deputy of Cultural Affairs of the university to hold a ceremony to commemorate National Student Day and to hold exhibitions on its sidelines to preserve and recognize the artworks of different countries, from India and Pakistan to Madagascar, Afghanistan, etc. On the other hand, you students also need to try to introduce the culture of your country.”

“Over many centuries, Iran has achieved success in many scientific fields. Five hundred years BC, Iran had a structural engineer named Artachaees. Iran had Borzuya the physician, whose medical works have been recognized in the West. Iran has had Zakaria Razi, a chemist, Mulla Sadra, a philosopher, and many other figures, whom you need to get to know. Be sure that two wings together will lead you to felicity: thought and science, and faith and Maarifah,” added the president of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University.

The significance of balance between science and faith

Further in his speech, while referring to the role of religious scholars in spreading knowledge and sciences, Jazari stated, “Basically, the first universities in the world were founded by religious scholars. It means that science and faith have been together. The Holy Quranic verses of the Holy Qur'an also refer to this issue, including verse 11 of Surah Mujadila: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا فَانْشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ” (O you who have faith! When you are told, ‘Make room,’ in sittings, then do make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told, ‘Rise up!’ Do rise up. Allah will raise in rank those of you who have faith and those who have been given knowledge, and Allah is well aware of what you do.) This shows that faith and science together make people felicitous. The first university in Islamic countries is Ez-Zitouna University, which was founded by Ubaidullah bin Habhab, a religious scholar, in 737 in present-day Tunisia. Al-Azhar University was also founded by a religious scholar in Egypt. Even the Sorbonne University, which is one of the most prestigious universities in France, was founded around 1200 by a priest who was also a scientist. Therefore, you students need to know that the first universities in the world were founded by religious figures, and this is proof of the importance of balance between science and faith.”

He further said, “With these preliminaries, I need to make some points about the characteristics of a successful student. Our mission at AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University is to help pave the way for the growth of successful students. The first indicator for a successful student is to have planning and order for his life. One of the Infallibles (a.s.) said that success and felicity depend on planning. Each of you came to Iran with a purpose, and you are our guest here. Therefore, plan in different parts of your life. The second indicator is compliance with ethics. I express individual ethics in three dimensions. The first dimension is individual vitality. Above all, maintain your mental and physical vitality and enjoy the sports and artistic opportunities available here at the university. Because exercise is good for your body and art is good for your soul. Politeness is another dimension. When prominent scientists and scholars in the East and West of the world want to give a book to their family and friends as a gift, that book is about politeness, as Aristotle and Farabi, at the height of science and thought, gave such books. You also set teachers as your example who are more adorned with politeness. The third dimension is paying enough attention to art. Because, for example, the effect that a person has with conveying scientific and cultural works by producing a film, is much more than other effects. Paying attention to the artworks of Master Farshchian, you will understand how seeing the painting The Evening of Ashura impresses intellectuals.”

The role of science diplomacy in increasing the communication between countries

“One of the important characteristics of the late Allameh Tabatabai was his interest in the art of calligraphy. In the schools of the 6^th to 9^th centuries, calligraphy was the introduction to learning science. Because the elders believed that this art calms the soul. The next issue is social ethics. In telling the story of Prophet Abraham (a.s.), the Holy Quran says: “قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ” (They said: We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham.) (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse: 60). Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) was a young man who influenced the society by breaking idols. You should also be influential in society. Another characteristic of a successful student is to pay attention to the value and status of knowledge,” added the president of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University.

Referring to the role of science diplomacy in today’s world, Jazari stated, “In the 21^st century, a concept called science diplomacy has emerged. Science diplomacy means countries try to communicate through science to develop scientific benefits. It is in this way that we will be successful in other areas, including industry and trade. Sometimes science is used for diplomacy and develops friendship. For example, Iran does not have an embassy in Benin but students from the country study in Iran, and this shows the role of science in increasing communication between countries.”

“Another characteristic of a successful student is the commitment to society. You have commitments to both the Iranian society and your society, and you must establish a friendly relationship with these two. Another point is the importance of paying attention to spirituality. At the beginning of my speech, I said that human society is indebted to religious scholars for establishing the universities. Therefore, I must say that you must reach the spiritual peaks as much as you reach the scientific peaks. Because science without spirituality, and spirituality without science, both are sources of trouble. In numerous meetings with students since 1995, the Supreme Leader of the Revolution has repeatedly emphasized that the ways for spirituality and science should be equally provided for students. Therefore, we hope that you will strengthen your scientific and spiritual assets at the same time so that the path of felicity will be provided for you,” he said in the end.

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