Ancient Islamic Science Rachel King, Sheri Munson-Castro, Juhayna Bechara, Janice Sannicolas

The importance of Islam’s legacy History remembers “firsts” in discoveries But no one remembers Islam being first with these: Men in flying machines Mechanical clocks Study of light and prisms Trigonometry Decimals Negative numbers Eyeglasses So here’s all the things that history “forgot” to teach about the great science legacy of Islam:

Why the Middle East and not Europe? Science flourished in Islamic realms, while falling into the Dark Ages in Europe, for many reasons: Support from the Qur’an "contemplate the wonders of creation" (Qur'an 3:191) The Qur'an has many scientific passages Harmonious interaction between religion and science allow both of them freedom Islamic societies remained organized during the Dark Ages, allowing science a safe place to grow Colleges were first “invented” by Muslims in late 600s The “House of Wisdom” was set up in Baghdad in 1004 C.E. as a scientific center for whole kingdom Knowledge was preserved in libraries and translation institutions Some things that were cultivated because of this attitude towards science:

Islam and Math part 1 Al-Tusi Al-Khwarizmi Born 1201 C.E. Master of many scientific subjects such as math, medicine, logic, and theology Wrote 64 scientific treatises Made trigonometry its own field Al-Khwarizmi Born 780 C.E. Pioneered field of algebra First to use concept of zero Word “algorithm” comes from his name Also calculated locations for a world map

Islam and Math part 2 Omar Khayyam Born c. 1038 C.E. Mathematician, astronomer, and poet Classified algebraic equations Developed accurate calendar Developed methods for determining gravity Wrote one of the classics of poetry, the Ruba’iyat

Islam and Chemistry Al-Razi Jabir Ibn Haiyan Born c. 854 C.E. Used chemistry in medicine Wrote first chemistry lab manual Discovered distinction between smallpox and measles Classified all chemical substances he knew by category Other contributions to chemistry include the discovery of elemental weights, the distinction between metals and alloys, and the acid-base principle. Jabir Ibn Haiyan Theory of geological formation of metals Observed magnetic force Wrote several alchemic treatises

Islam and Medicine Ibn Sina Al-Zahravi Born 980 C.E. Wrote 99 books in lifetime Gathered an encyclopedia of medical knowledge Kept careful observation of symptoms of diseases Recognized the contagious nature of disease First accurate treatment of cancer Al-Zahravi Collected volume of surgical techniques Invented several surgical instruments Made advances in dentistry Ibn Katina, another physician was the first to write a treatise on the plague and its contagious nature, which influence Europe considerably

Islam and Astronomy Al-Farghani Al-Zarqali Determined diameter of the Earth Wrote book detailing celestial motion Was a great theorist but not a great engineer Al-Zarqali Born in 1029 C.E. Constructed an elaborate lunar clock Developed most precise astrolabe Wrote the Toledan Tables, which calculated rising and setting and eclipses of the planets and sun The astrolabe was used to determine one’s position on the Earth by calculating the position of the sun and stars

Islam and Geography & Cartography Al-Biruni Determined latitudes and longitudes Has a crater on the Moon named after him Determined circumference of the Earth Determined the density of various precious stones/metals Decided that the speed of light was immense Al-Idrisi Made meticulous notes on cities, trade routes, lakes, mountains, etc., when producing a detailed globe Traveled to gather his geographical data Created a geographical encyclopedia Also studied medicinal plants in detail The required pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) gave Muslims the impulse to collect correct geographical information and guides to direct devout travelers from all parts of the Islamic empire

The Islamic Legacy Today Scientific words from Islam: Zero Epidermis Algebra Diaphragm Average Alkaline Pancreas Algorithm Other words that Islam gave us: Magazine Coffee Admiral Sugar Earth Alcohol Safari Orange Ancient Islamic treatises are still the basis of some of the major fields of science

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