Research, Lab, Archeaological Dig and the student in Islam

"Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth." ~ Surahtul Anam 11
"Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand?" ~ Surahtul Yusuf 109
"Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts." ~ Surahtul Hajj 46
"Say: "Travel through the earth and see how God did originate creation; so will God produce a later creation: for God has power over all things." ~ Surahtul Ankabuti 30
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their apostles with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not God Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls." ~ Surahtul Rumi 9
"Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): Most of them worshipped others besides God." ~ Surahtul Rumi 42
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them,- though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is God to be frustrated by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He is All-Knowing. All-Powerful." ~ Surahtul Fatir 44
"Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but God did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against God." ~ Surahtul Ghafir 21
"Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them." ~ Surahtul Ghafir 82
"Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them (who did evil)? God brought utter destruction on them, and similar (fates await) those who reject God." ~ Surahtul Muhammad 10

How do we describe Bahthu ain Haqiqat? البحث عن الحقيقة [The search for the Truth], or Hana ain Ilm? حن عن العلم [to yearn for or to long for knowledge], or Hana ain Hikmat? حن عن الحكمة [To yearn or long for wisdom] Nabi Sulaimon (saws) articulated what some would call his thirst for wisdom in the book "The Wisdom of Solomon" in the Apocrypha. Perhaps, words like Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Researcher, Archaeologist, Systematic Analysis, Meticulous Research, Scientific Inquiry or Tenacious Study would be of the mindset. But, to what ends or for what purpose? Perhaps, to improve upon relations with Allah. To improve upon civilization. To advance society. Peace and prosperity and a better future. Just to name a few good reasons. Pins used for setting the corners of excavation sites or archaeological digs, are similarly used for setting the corners of foundations for construction sites. In other words, the intelligence gathered by researching past and other existing societies can be used for laying the foundations of future societies.

But, it is nothing short of a Miracle of God, or command and instruction of Allah, that places that will, drive, focus, determination, energy, concentration, and analysis in a person to cause them to excel in a field of study. Do most Archaeologists at a dig bring out their staff, excavation tools, brushes, etc. and work on the site for a day and then are tapped out of their motivation to learn more the next day? Not hardly...most of them are asking for commissions for projects that would span months or even years of research gathering. And it is Allah that places that light of drive in each of them to do so.

How to describe having that light turned on and then turned off? It would be like someone finding light, and then, whoever puts out that light, it is like that researcher lost their light. We know by the Quranul Kareem that there are those that wish to extinguish the Light of God, and God (Allah) has said that it is His Will to perfect that Light. Some would say that the archaeologist finds a treasure, but, in fact the true archaeologist(s) is a precious gem(s) of a treasure to civilization.

Obviously, those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Sometimes delving into a few good books is sufficient as a travel or journey experience in search of knowledge. (Some of us do not have the budget to travel the globe, and some places have become extremely dangerous with sex trades, kidnappings, etc.) With the worldwide web and extensive libraries, fulfilling this aspect of faith is quite easy right from home. The more truthful and meticulous the research the more valuable the person. Again, having that light of inner drive snuffed out is equivalent to losing a type treasure, value or worth. The ones that extinguish this type of light in you (namely, the research of Allah's Divine Words in the 2 Holy Books of Bible and Quran and the study of the World) would be better off with a millstone tied around their neck be flung to the bottom of the sea or ocean as in Matthews 18:6 of the Injeel (Gospel), but, of course taking matters into your own hands could land you behind bars in prison...so not advised. Blog Reflecting on the Value of Abel's Life. Just patiently persevere. I pray that I not cause the faithful or children to lose faith in God. Allahumma Ameen.

Here is some of PBS's work on Lost Roman Ships. To me this is brilliant.

Watch Lost Ships of Rome on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Dead.