What is the ruling on studying the history and archeological remains of past nations? A young man wishes to specialize in history and archeology; what is the ruling on this?

The Quran and Sunnah emphasize the importance of exploring the world and examining the remains of past civilizations to learn and draw guidance from them. Allah Almighty says, “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah, over all things, is competent’” (Quran, 29:20). Commenting on this verse, Imam al-Qusheiri notes in Lata`if Al-Isharat (3:93) the recurrence of events, “Every river that carried water … to it the water shall one day return.” Similarly, Imam Ibn Ajiba writes in Al-Bahr Al-Madeed (4:294), “Observe how creation began, despite their vast numbers, the diversity of their conditions, languages, colors, temperaments, and appearances, so that you may witness the wonders of Allah’s might and strengthen your belief in the Resurrection.”

Furthermore, Allah Almighty has made mutual acquaintance a fundamental human trait, and diversity a universal law; He says, “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another” (Quran, 49:13). Shaykh Mohammed al-Taher Ibn Ashur explains in Al-Tahrir wal Tanwir (26:259-260) that Allah created humanity as nations and tribes so that people might come to know one another. This mutual acquaintance unfolds gradually, layer by layer … eventually encompassing a single nation or all of humanity. It is through this wise divine principle that similar civilizations have spread among humankind.

Studying the history and archeology of past nations

The remains left by past nations, including those of ancient Egyptians, Persians, Romans, and others chronicle their social and political events, as well as their scientific, intellectual, and civilizational advancements, serving as historical records for modern humanity. Modern humanity continues to benefit from past civilizations, cultivating understanding of the past, faith, and knowledge and wisdom in the process. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Wisdom is the lost property of the believer. Wherever he finds it, he is most deserving of it” (recorded by Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi).

Understanding past civilizations requires collecting and examining their material remains and drawing lessons from them through inductive analysis. This approach allows scholars to understand their languages, customs, and knowledge through the inscriptions and depictions recorded on their remains. A well-known example is the major discovery that uncovered the authentic history of the ancient Egyptian civilization following the unearthing of the Rosetta Stone and the subsequent decipherment of its inscriptions.

On statues and artifacts

It has been established that creating or collecting statues for educational purposes, such as preserving historical artifacts in museums, is permissible when it does not lead to worship, veneration, or any attempt to imitate divine creation. This aligns with juristic reasoning regarding the prohibition of statues. Shaykh Mohammed al-Tahir Ibn Ashur explains in Al-Tahrir wal Tanwir (22:162), “Three-dimensional statues were not prohibited in previous religious laws. Islam prohibited them as part of its efforts to eliminate polytheism, given how deeply entrenched it was in the hearts of the Arabs and others. Since idols were largely statues, Islam prohibited their use, not because they are inherently corrupt, but because they served as a means to polytheism.” Thus, when the risk leading to polytheism is absent, the rationale for the prohibition no longer applies.

The ruling

In light of the above, there is no objection in Islamic law for the young man in question to study past civilizations and their artifacts; he is, in fact, rewarded for doing so. Such study is considered the sound scientific means to preserving human civilizations, observing their destinies, drawing lessons from their experiences, and discerning the divine laws that govern the universe. This path of knowledge guides humanity towards deeper understanding and enlightened progress in science and civilization.

And Allah Almighty knows best.