Common Misconception
"Islam is against science and rational thinking"
The Truth
The very first word revealed in the Quran was 'Read' (Iqra'). Islam actively commands the pursuit of knowledge. The Islamic Golden Age produced foundational advances in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy.
Quran References
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
"Read in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging substance."
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ
"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and day are signs for those of understanding."
Hadith References
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
Detailed Explanation
Al-Khawarizmi invented algebra. Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine was used in European universities for 600 years. Al-Biruni calculated Earth's circumference to remarkable accuracy. Ibn al-Haytham founded modern optics. Al-Zahrawi invented surgical instruments still used today. These scholars explicitly tied their work to the Quranic command to observe and reflect. Europe emerged from the Dark Ages partly through Arabic translations of Greek and new Muslim scientific texts.
Where This Misconception Came From
Conflation of the Catholic Church's historical conflict with science (Galileo, etc.) with Islam's relationship to knowledge — which was the opposite. Also stems from observing some contemporary Muslim-majority countries that lag in scientific output, confusing political underdevelopment with Islamic doctrine.