An important question that reoccurs during “The Saint’s Lamp” by Yahya Haqqi is the controversy over science and religion. This question seems to arise when Ismail returns home after studying medicine in England. His religion begins to pose difficulties in the methods and practices that in turn makes him struggle with finding the right balance between religion and science. Religion is a huge influence into people’s beliefs regarding medical attention. In the end, Ismail is forced to combine his faith and science to work hand in hand in order to make an impact on his community. Haqqi writes, “he only held to the spirit and basis of his science, abandoning all elaborate instruments and techniques. He relied first upon God, and secondly on his learning and the skill of his hands” (Haqqi, 37).
For my creative response, I designed a signpost that signified science pointing to one way and religion pointing the other. When relating this story to my culture, the issue that tends to come up often is that of abortion. Although I am not catholic, the controversy over abortion is often debated throughout the united states, especially in terms of the law. Many people have a hard time justifying abortion because of their religion due to the fact that it may go against their scripture. Likewise, in “The Saint’s Lamp” this issue is raised through the point of view of a doctor versus his Islamic faith. We face this controversy in many different societies throughout the world.
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