Towards an Islamic Paradigm for Reconciling Islam and Modern Science for Responsive Muslim Education: A Perspective Drawn from Ziauddin Sardar’s Epistemological Thought

Abstract

During the golden age of Islamic civilization, there was no clash between Islam and science. The relationship between Islam and science was then characterized by a profound synergy that led to groundbreaking contributions across fields such as astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, all unified by a Qur'anic worldview. However, contemporary Muslim societies are experiencing a widening gap between classical Islamic knowledge frameworks and modern scientific studies. The purpose of this study is to examine Ziauddin Sardar’s framework to reconcile Islam and modern science. Sardar is one of the contemporary Muslim scholars who has advocated reconciling Islam with modern science to address the issue. Using a descriptive-analytic method, this paper examines Sardar’s approaches to reconciling Islam with modern science, drawing on his extensive body of work, particularly his contributions to Islamic epistemology, futures studies, and critiques of Western scientific frameworks. Based on Sardar’s framework, the present researcher proposes a paradigm for reconciling Islam and modern science to create a sustainable and responsive Muslim education system. This paradigm introduces a four-dimensional conceptual framework that encompasses epistemic integration, pedagogical transformation, institutional reform, and societal relevance. It asserts that a paradigm inspired by Sardar can help cultivate scientifically literate, ethically grounded, and future-ready Muslim learners, equipping them to navigate the rapidly evolving challenges of the global landscape.