I read a book which explained how scientific discovery begins. The basis of scientific discoveries is spirit of enquiry. A person develops spirit of enquiry, he begins to think, perform experiments and finally discovers an idea. There is a famous incident of a scientist who discovered steam power. He was sitting in house and cooking food or boiling water in a utensil. When water reaches 100 degrees Celcius, it begins to boil. At this point, the lid kept on the utensil went up. This observation developed spirit of enquiry in the scientist. 
             He thought and realized that water is made up of molecules. At high temperature of 100 degrees, water changes state from liquid to gaseous. The gaseous molecules run around with great energy. This activity builds up pressure, which pushes against the lid and so it goes up. Thinking in this manner, the scientist discovered steam power. The steam engine was thus developed. This was used in ships, bringing about a revolution in the world. All discoveries begin with a spirit of enquiry. The spirit of enquiry is at the basis of our civilization. When the Angel Gabriel came to Prophet in the Cave of Hira, he told him something very important. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3)
This was meant for all human beings, not only for Muslims. Angel Gabriel gave a message to the Prophet for all of humanity: Think and develop the spirit of enquiry in yourselves.