Science and Mathematics: Al-Ghazzali, “On the Separation of Mathematic and Religion”

The selections written on mathematics and the scientific description of smallpox imparted that Islam is found on trust and faith in God and not several(prenominal) speculation and hypothesis which backside be relied upon only if it is proven through calculation, geometry, and cosmography or by logical experimentations.Because of mathematics and science, Al-Ghazzali was able to make a distinction between mathematics and faith. agree to him, proving something using mathematics, when successful, will slant to eliminate sacred foundations of that particular assumption.Whereas, if something is proven by religion, it does not deliver or criticize mathematics. Meaning, mathematics is quantifiable and material dapple religious is speculative and immaterial. Believing in Islam comes from within, established because of ones smell in God even without substantial proof.Like in smallpox, this disease is familial with unknown cause but it has been treated and now it is considered an i nactive ailment. For Al-Ghazzali, the eruption of smallpox can be compared to the problems and challenges in life. When a person is clam up an infant, his resistance is still weak and can be easily septic by smallpox.Meaning, he is too fragile to face lifes crises. As he grows up, he continuously learns and streng consequentlys his faith. Along the many trials in life, he becomes strong thus when he develops into a young man, he has enough strength not to contain smallpox. As he matures and grows all, he becomes much wiser and with great wisdom, his values are stronger thus smallpox can hardly contaminate him.Focus Question 2 According to Al-Ghazzali, should mathematics and religion be separated? Why or why not?According to Al-Ghazzali, mathematics and religion should be treated separately because these two disciplines cannot be reconciled even both can explain many phenomenon in the universe. However, they do differ in their justifications since mathematics has material proof wh ile that of religion is based on faith in God, thus immaterial. If an contract or fact is proven materially, it tends to condemn religion right then while religious proofs do not criticize mathematics.Central to Al-Ghazzalis theory is that all eventualities (causes and effects) in mortal life and beyond are located by God as expressed in religion. He detested mathematics in that those highly-educated men who professed scientific proof of things tend to pass on God and the Divine Law which is evil and wicked.Moreover, Al-Ghazzali asserted that these men who bandy down to mathematics and science have lost their faith in God. As such, they praised human knowledge and capabilities without recognizing that a higher Being is there responsible for all these gifts of wisdom and intelligence.Finally, Al-Ghazzali ended with total belief in understanding through religious experience rather than approaching it intellectually as in mathematics and science. All his actions and inferences re fer to obedience and trustfulness in God regardless of scientific bases and calculations. For him, God should be to a higher place all earthly occurrences.Works CitedOn the Causes of Small-Pox. A Treatise on Small-Pox and Measles. 1848.On the withdrawal of Mathematics and Religion. The Confession of Al-Ghazzali. 1908.