History Quote by Fazlur Rahman
““the Qur’ān appears to be interested in three types knowledge for man. One is the knowledge of nature which has been made subservient to man, i.e., the physical sciences. The second crucial type is the knowledge of history (and geography): the Qur’ān persistently asks man to "travel on the earth" and see for himself what happened to bygone civilizations and why they rose and fell. The third is the knowledge of man himself.””
About This Quote
Source Qur’an: The Holy Book of Islam, 7th century CE
The passage outlines three categories of knowledge emphasized in the Qur’an: natural sciences, historical/geographical awareness, and self‑knowledge, urging humans to explore and understand each.
In simple terms: The Qur’an values science, history, and self‑understanding.
Seek knowledge in nature, history, and yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic study
- travel
- personal development
- interfaith dialogue
- historical research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance scientific, historical, and personal learning?
- What barriers exist to integrating these knowledge types?
Focusing only on one type may limit holistic growth.