Is becoming an astrophysicist acceptable in Islam?

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Assalamu Alaykum,

Is becoming an astrophysicist/astronomer
acceptable in Islam?

It would only consist
of research in astrophysics/astronomy. It would not involve teaching, nor would
it involve working in planetariums and science museums.

The job of astrophysicist/astronomer
consists in:

- Programming, writing
computer code to analyze observational data or to make models/simulations of
phenomena.

- Writing scientific research
papers that may be published in scholarly journals.

- Writing many emails.

- Filling out
paperwork to get funding for our projects.

- Traveling very
frequently to many countries to present our research findings at scientific
conferences and lectures, and to meet other astrophysicists/astronomers.

- Traveling frequently
to many remote parts of the world (on top of mountains) to make observations
with optical or radio telescopes.

Note that �astrophysics� and �astronomy� are the
same thing. But they must not be confused with �astrology� which is something
totally different.

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Koopa39 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Male Joined: 19 August 2016 Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Koopa39 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Is becoming an astrophysicist acceptable in Islam? Posted: 19 August 2016 at 7:21pm
	Assalamu Alaykum, Is becoming an astrophysicist/astronomer acceptable in Islam? It would only consist of research in astrophysics/astronomy. It would not involve teaching, nor would it involve working in planetariums and science museums. The job of astrophysicist/astronomer consists in: - Programming, writing computer code to analyze observational data or to make models/simulations of phenomena. - Writing scientific research papers that may be published in scholarly journals. - Writing many emails. - Filling out paperwork to get funding for our projects. - Traveling very frequently to many countries to present our research findings at scientific conferences and lectures, and to meet other astrophysicists/astronomers. - Traveling frequently to many remote parts of the world (on top of mountains) to make observations with optical or radio telescopes. Note that �astrophysics� and �astronomy� are the same thing. But they must not be confused with �astrology� which is something totally different.

airmano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 March 2014 Status: Offline Points: 884	Post Options Post Reply Quote airmano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 August 2016 at 1:51pm
	Formally I wouldn't see any reason to not do it. As Muslims keep on telling me - science is held in high esteem in Islam. The way you define this activity is however surprising to me. When listing the activities linked to this job, it seems to me as if you had a bookkeepers view onto this profession. All the things you list (besides possibly the first line) are rather "collateral damage" than the essence of it. To do it you first need a sound knowledge in physics and mathematics. You also need a critical spirit to "think outside the box". But the way you present things it looks to me as if you asked for permission ("Is becoming an astrophysicist/astronomer acceptable in Islam?") to do so. IMHO this is not a good starting point for a profession where unbiased and strong curiosity is mandatory and where you have to play the devils advocate by putting your and competing theories in doubt all the time - even and especially when they clash with your religion The underlying problem is of course that this may erode your faith. ...but may be I can help you with that. Best regards: Airmano Edited by airmano - 25 August 2016 at 2:05pm
	The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses (Albert Einstein 1954, in his "Gods Letter")

asep48garut60 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Male Joined: 27 July 2016 Location: Indonesia Status: Offline Points: 248	Post Options Post Reply Quote asep48garut60 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 October 2016 at 10:41pm
	Wa�alaykumsalam, Yes, being an astrophysicist / astronomer is acceptable in Islam. Even God told to Mankind and Jin (genie) to penetrate regions of the heavens and the earth (as mentioned in His Word) Precisely with the profession as an astronomer, geologist, doctor, etc., for Muslims will further strengthen their faith than Muslims who don't have the profession like that. Regards.

Tim the plumber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Male Joined: 30 September 2014 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 944	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tim the plumber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 October 2016 at 12:10pm
	The job of an astrophysicist is to do your best to understand the universe and to develope a deeper understanding of the universe by seeing what is out there, developing ideas to explain it, using those ideas to predict other things and seeing if those predictions are correct. When they are you publish a great new paper. When they are not you list another "did not work" result and move on, having added a bit of understanding although not an exciting bit. Questing for knowledge with an open mind. Good luck. I hope you find new stuff!