Islam & SciFi Blueprint

 

Islamic-Based Science Fiction Blueprint

Purpose:

This blueprint will guide the creation of science-fiction narratives that draw on Islamic principles, themes, and imagery. It integrates core Islamic values, spirituality, and philosophy into speculative futures, exploring advanced technology, cosmic journeys, social structures, and human identity through an Islamic lens.

1. Theological and Spiritual Framework:

A. Tawhid (Unity of God)

• Central to the universe is the belief in the oneness of God (Allah). All creation is a reflection of God’s unity, with everything existing within a divine order.

• Narrative Application: The concept of God’s unity can be used to reflect how technological or scientific advancements align with or deviate from divine order. For instance, stories could explore AI, biotechnology, or space exploration as a reflection of humanity’s quest to understand the unity of existence, or its attempt to transcend divine limitations.

B. Prophethood (Nubuwwah)

• The idea of prophets who guide humanity toward righteousness.

• Narrative Application: Characters who are chosen or anointed to lead or save humanity, similar to a prophet or visionary, can play pivotal roles. These individuals may navigate futuristic, morally ambiguous landscapes where they must guide humanity in a new era.

C. Akhirah (Afterlife)

• Belief in the afterlife, where individuals are rewarded or punished based on their actions on earth.

• Narrative Application: Themes of immortality, life after death, or reincarnation in a technologically advanced society can be explored. New technologies could alter the understanding of life and death, with the afterlife serving as a moral backdrop for characters’ actions and decisions.

D. Fitrah (Natural Disposition)

• Human beings are born with an inherent nature inclined toward goodness and truth, but this can be corrupted by desires or external influences.

• Narrative Application: Technology or alien encounters could challenge humanity’s fitrah, leading to stories of moral dilemmas where advanced technology either enhances or disrupts innate human qualities. Ethical dilemmas could revolve around how technology should evolve in harmony with human nature.

2. Science and Technology:

A. Jinn and the Unseen World

• Jinn are supernatural beings that exist in a parallel world, influencing human affairs in unseen ways.

• Narrative Application: The concept of jinn could be re-imagined as an alien or extra-dimensional species, interacting with human society and advanced technology. These beings may be responsible for guiding, manipulating, or challenging humanity’s progress into the unknown.

B. Quantum Mysticism and Science

• Islam embraces both science and spirituality, viewing them as complementary ways to understand God’s creation.

• Narrative Application: Advanced quantum technology could be seen as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds. Characters may explore the metaphysical properties of the universe, delving into realms of physics that blur the boundaries between science and the supernatural.

C. Environmental Stewardship (Khilafah)

• Humans are appointed as stewards (khalifah) of the Earth, responsible for its care and protection.

• Narrative Application: Environmental themes could be explored, where futuristic societies are dealing with the consequences of technological exploitation of resources or space colonization. The story could focus on efforts to restore balance with the natural world, or the tension between progress and preservation.

D. Artificial Intelligence and Ethics

• AI in Islamic thought is complex, with considerations about free will, consciousness, and moral responsibility.

• Narrative Application: The creation of sentient beings (AI or cyborgs) could raise questions about personhood, ethical treatment, and the relationship between creator and creation. Islamic thought might challenge the human-like qualities of AI, asking if they possess free will or a soul.

3. Cultural and Social Structures:

A. Ummah (Community)

• The global Muslim community bound by shared faith and values.

• Narrative Application: Stories could focus on the strength of a united community that transcends national, ethnic, or planetary boundaries, uniting to address issues like inequality, war, or survival. Diverse Muslim communities could come together to fight for a common cause in an interplanetary setting.

B. Sharia and Ethical Codes

• Sharia law is a moral and legal framework derived from the Quran and Hadith (teachings of the Prophet).

• Narrative Application: In a future society, the adaptation of Sharia principles could be tested against technological advancements, social changes, or global crises. Characters could navigate the application of religious laws in an increasingly secular, post-modern world.

C. Gender and Justice

• Islam provides distinct guidelines for gender roles, but it emphasizes fairness, justice, and equality.

• Narrative Application: The role of women in a futuristic Islamic society could be explored, with a focus on justice, equality, and empowerment in a world where traditional structures clash with modernity. It could involve both challenges and victories related to gender, marriage, inheritance, and societal roles.

D. Family and Lineage

• The importance of family and honoring one’s lineage is a central aspect of Islam.

• Narrative Application: In a sci-fi world, lineage could take on greater significance, such as the preservation of genetic purity, inheritance rights in space colonies, or the importance of family legacies in a multi-generational interplanetary society.

4. Themes and Philosophies:

A. Moral Duality and Human Struggle (Good vs. Evil)

• The Quran often speaks about the struggle between good and evil, and the choices humans make.

• Narrative Application: This could manifest in characters facing internal or external battles between good and evil, where advanced technology is used by both sides to further their causes. The theme could be explored through conflicts between utopian and dystopian societies.

B. Knowledge and Its Limits

• Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge but emphasizes humility before God’s greater wisdom.

• Narrative Application: The pursuit of knowledge, particularly through advanced science and technology, could be a central theme. The limits of human understanding and the dangers of overreaching could be explored through the consequences of manipulating nature or tampering with cosmic forces.

C. Predestination and Free Will

• While God has a divine plan (qadar), humans are granted free will to choose their actions.

• Narrative Application: Futuristic scenarios could deal with characters grappling with fate versus free will. In a world of advanced technology, characters might wonder if their choices are truly free, or if they are manipulated by technology, artificial intelligence, or cosmic forces.

D. Cosmic Order and Divine Intervention

• The universe operates according to divine laws, and God’s will prevails in the grand scheme of things.

• Narrative Application: The exploration of the cosmos could bring characters face to face with the unknown, where divine forces intervene in mysterious or miraculous ways. This can bring a sense of awe and reverence for the cosmic order that transcends human understanding.

5. Aesthetic and World-Building:

A. Islamic Architecture and Art

• Incorporating elements like calligraphy, intricate geometric patterns, and the use of light and space.

• Narrative Application: World-building can involve visually stunning futuristic settings inspired by traditional Islamic aesthetics, such as space stations, planets, or cities that blend high-tech design with Islamic artistry.

B. Language and Dialogue

• Islamic culture is steeped in rich, poetic, and philosophical language.

• Narrative Application: Dialogue and speech can draw from Quranic verse, Hadith, and classical Arabic poetry, infusing stories with deep moral and spiritual reflections, and providing characters with wisdom beyond their time.

C. The Quranic and Prophetic References

• Quranic references and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can be woven into the narrative as sources of wisdom, prophecy, and guidance.

• Narrative Application: Characters might refer to the Quran or Hadith for guidance, or these texts could be rediscovered in the future as ancient wisdom crucial to solving existential crises.

6. Plot Structure:

A. Conflict Between Progress and Spirituality

• Technology and spirituality clash as humans attempt to balance their pursuit of knowledge with their duty to God.

• Narrative Application: Plot arcs could center on a civilization that has reached technological heights but risks losing its spiritual essence, or the tension between expanding into the cosmos and staying true to earthly values.

B. Redemption and Self-Discovery

• Characters may struggle with personal sins or regrets, seeking redemption through faith, knowledge, or action.

• Narrative Application: A character’s journey to uncover the truth about their purpose in the universe, seeking forgiveness or enlightenment, could form the backbone of the narrative.

This Islamic-Based Science Fiction blueprint offers a pathway to create richly layered, spiritually grounded, and thought-provoking narratives that combine Islamic thought with futuristic, speculative storytelling. It provides space for stories about the balance between science and spirituality, ethical dilemmas, and humanity’s journey toward cosmic understanding.

Islamic Science-Fiction Writers 

Here is an index of notable science fiction writers who are either of Islamic background or have integrated Islamic themes into their work:

1. Harun Yahya

• Date of Birth: February 2, 1956

• Notable Work: Eternity Has Already Begun

• This work explores themes of existence and the afterlife from an Islamic perspective.

2. G. Willow Wilson

• Date of Birth: August 31, 1982

• Notable Works:

• Alif the Unseen

• A novel blending cyberpunk elements with Islamic mythology, following a young hacker in an unnamed Middle Eastern city.

• The Bird King

• Set during the last days of the Emirate of Granada, it tells a story of freedom and love intertwined with magical realism.

3. S. A. Chakraborty

• Notable Works:

• The City of Brass

• The first book in The Daevabad Trilogy, introducing a magical Middle Eastern world with complex political and social dynamics.

• The Kingdom of Copper

• The sequel that delves deeper into the intrigues and power struggles of Daevabad.

• The Empire of Gold

• The concluding novel that brings the epic tale to a climactic end.

4. Saladin Ahmed

• Date of Birth: October 4, 1975

• Notable Work: Throne of the Crescent Moon

• Set in a fantasy world inspired by Middle Eastern folklore, it follows a ghul hunter and his companions facing a supernatural threat.

5. Somaiya Daud

• Notable Works:

• Mirage

• A science fiction novel about a young woman who is forced to become a body double for a cruel princess in a distant empire.

• Court of Lions

• The sequel that continues the protagonist’s struggle for identity and freedom.

6. Hafsah Faizal

• Notable Works:

• We Hunt the Flame

• A fantasy novel set in a world inspired by ancient Arabia, following a hunter disguising herself as a man to brave a cursed forest.

• We Free the Stars

• The sequel that continues the adventure, delving into themes of loyalty, love, and destiny.

7. Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa

• Notable Work: The 99

• A comic book series featuring superheroes inspired by the 99 attributes of Allah, promoting universal values and cultural diversity.

8. Steven Barnes

• Date of Birth: March 1, 1952

• Notable Works:

• Lion’s Blood

• An alternate history novel where Africans have colonized the Americas, exploring themes of slavery and cultural identity.

• Zulu Heart

• The sequel that continues to delve into the complexities of this alternate world.

9. Amal El-Mohtar

• Date of Birth: December 13, 1984

• Notable Work: This Is How You Lose the Time War

• Co-authored with Max Gladstone, this novella is a lyrical exploration of time travel, love, and rivalry.

Non-Islamic Science Fiction Writers Incorporating Islamic Themes:

1. Frank Herbert

• Date of Birth: October 8, 1920

• Date of Death: February 11, 1986

• Notable Work: Dune

• A seminal science fiction novel featuring a desert planet and incorporating Islamic and Arabic motifs, exploring themes of politics, religion, and ecology.

2. George Alec Effinger

• Date of Birth: January 10, 1947

• Date of Death: April 27, 2002

• Notable Work: When Gravity Fails

• Set in a futuristic Middle Eastern city, this novel follows Marîd Audran, navigating a world where technology and identity intertwine.

3. Kim Stanley Robinson

• Date of Birth: March 23, 1952

• Notable Work: The Years of Rice and Salt

• An alternate history novel exploring a world where the Black Death has eradicated most of Europe’s population, leading to a dominant Islamic and Asian influence on global development.

These authors have significantly contributed to the science fiction genre by weaving Islamic themes and perspectives into their narratives, enriching the tapestry of speculative fiction.