The Qur'an instructs Muslims to learn about God's creation in order to further their faith. Scientists drew particular inspiration from passages such as the following, which point to the wonders of the natural world as signs of God's mercy, majesty, and power.

It is He Who makes the stars as beacons for you, that you may guide yourselves with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea. (6: 97) And among His Signs, He shows you the lightning, By way both of fear, and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: Verily in that are Signs for those who are wise. (30: 24)

Source: Yusif AH, trans., The Holy Qur'an (Brentwood, Md.: Amana, 1989).