1. Shaykh Amjad M. Mohammed University of Bradford
Islam & Science
Two Worlds or One?
Shaykh Amjad M. Mohammed
14th September 2011
University of Bradford

2. Pioneers of the Sciences

3. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
The Golden Age (1)
Abbasid Period
Centre – Baghdad CE
Greek, Indian and Persian – Translation Stage
Centre of ‘developed world’ – Christians, Jews and other faiths or no faith
Developed, founded and invented
Produced scientific enquiry/method
Translated to Latin – 12th to 13th centuries
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A. M. Mohammed

4. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
The Golden Age (2)
Umayyad Period
Centre – Cordoba in Andalusia (Qurtuba) CE
Centre of Europe – Christians, Jews and others
Developed, founded and invented and produced scientific enquiry/method
Translated to Latin – 12th to 13th centuries which led to European Renaissance
13th to 15th century – ‘Reconquista’ Libraries and Research Centres destroyed
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A. M. Mohammed

5. Scientific Method and Rationalism
Inductive Method
Specifics to general – “apples observed fall to the ground therefore all apples fall”
Observations which bring about theory
Greek ancient world pre-scientific
Greeks systemised, generalised and theorised
Muslims investigated, accumulated positive knowledge, carried out detailed and prolonged observation and conducted experimental enquiry
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A. M. Mohammed

6. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Mathematics
Developed number theory – mathematical and metaphysical aspects
New methods of numerical computations
Numerical series and decimal fractions
Systemised science of algebra
Developed solid and plane geometry, trigonometry
Arabic numerals and the zero
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A. M. Mohammed

7. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Agriculture
Innovative methods of conserving and distributing water in Spain
acequia, irrigation ditch; alberca, artificial pool; aljibe, cistern; noria, irrigating wheel or draw well; arcaduz, water conduit or bucket; azuda, Persian wheel; almatriche, canal; alcantarilla, bridge, sewer; atarjea, small drain; atanor, water pipe; alcorque, hollow round the base of a tree to hold water
Crops introduced into Spain
sugar-cane, rice, oranges, lemons, aubergines, artichokes, apricots and cotton
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A. M. Mohammed

8. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Living
Industry
Textiles in wool, linen and silk
Ceramic industry
Manufacture of crystal
Handicraft of fine metal, jewellery, ivory, wood and leather
Book-binding
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A. M. Mohammed

9. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Medicine
Hunain ibn Ishaq ( CE) - Opthalmology
Hospitals established – Bimaristans 9th century
Al-Muqtadir (10th century)– Ijaza (Certification) before practising medicine
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A. M. Mohammed

10. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Scientists (1)
Jabir Ibn Haiyan (Geber) ( )
‘Father’ of chemistry, polymath
Abd al-Malik Ibn Quraib al-Asmai ( ) Zoology, botany, animal husbandry – Kitab al-ibl
Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (Algorizm) ( ) Mathematics, astronomy, geography, (algorithm, algebra, calculus)
Hisab al-jabr wa al-muqabala – “what is easiest and most useful in arithmetic, such as men constantly require in cases of inheritance, legacies, partition, lawsuits, and trade, and in all their dealings with one another, or where the measuring of lands, the digging of canals, geometrical computations, and other objects of various sorts and kinds are concerned” (Rosen, 1831)
Reduced linear and quadratic equations
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A. M. Mohammed

11. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Scientists (2)
Abd-al Rahman al-Sufi (Azophi) ( ) Astronomy - Corrected several Ptolemy’s star list. Founded Andromeda Galaxy M31 seven hundred years before discovered in Europe
Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) ( ) Surgery, medicine (father of modern surgery)
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A. M. Mohammed

12. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Scientists (3)
Abu Muhammad Abdallah Ibn al-Baitar ( ) Pharmacy, botany
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta ( )
Explorer/Traveller
Abd al-Rahman Ibn Muhammad Ibn Khaldun ( ) Sociology – first social scientist, philosophy of history, political science, geography, demography, historiography (al-Muqaddimah - Prolegomenon)
Zheng He( )
Mohammed Targai Ulugh Beg ( ) Astronomy
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A. M. Mohammed

13. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Scientists (4)
Abu Raihan al-Biruni ( ) Astronomy, mathematics. Determined the earth's circumference
Abu Ali al-Hussain Ibn Abdallah Ibn Sina (Avicenna) ( ) Medicine, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy
Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya al-Zarqali (Arzachel) ( ) Astronomy (invented astrolabe)
Omar al-Khayyam ( ) Mathematics, poetry
Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (Algazel)( ) Sociology, theology, philosophy
Abu Marwan Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar, Abumeron) ( ) Surgery, medicine
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A. M. Mohammed

14. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Did Islam bring about the study of the Sciences or were they scientists who happen to be Muslims?
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A. M. Mohammed

15. Is the scientific approach inherent to Islam? Is science Islamic?
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A. M. Mohammed

16. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Qur’an
Many verses in which God describes Himself as al-alim
Knowledge held in high esteem, ignorance viewed negatively
Knowledge is a divine gift – favour
Knowledge should be sought and subsequently taught
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A. M. Mohammed

17. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Qur’an
Supplication وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا (20:114)
Lord increase me in knowledge
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَ
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people of sound knowledge. (30:22)
قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Say, are those who know equal to those who don’t know? Only those of intellect will understand (39:9)
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A. M. Mohammed

18. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Qur’an 88:21
أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى الْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ Do they not look at the camel, how they are created?
وَإِلَى السَّمَاءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ And at the skies, the way they are raised?
وَإِلَى الْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ And at the mountains, the way they are rooted and firm?
وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ And at the earth, how it is spread out?
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A. M. Mohammed

19. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Hadith
Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of God
Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people
Knowledge is maintained only through teaching
Two persons are never satisfied; one who is seeking knowledge and the other who seeks the world (materialism)
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A. M. Mohammed

20. Sociology & Archaeology
People of the Past
Visiting of Ruins
Travelling to learn
Study of Peoples
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A. M. Mohammed

21. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Medicine
Saving and protecting life
Every illness has a cure except death
Seeking cures for illnesses
Caring and tending for weak and sick
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A. M. Mohammed

22. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Physical Sciences
Astronomy
Travel
Prayer Times
Geology
Appreciation, understanding and utilisation
Physics
Chemistry
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A. M. Mohammed

23. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Mathematics
Inheritance
Division of property and wealth
Distances
Purposes of Trade
Time/Clocks
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A. M. Mohammed

24. Islam’s Concept of Knowledge
No division of secular and religious
Division based on this world or Hereafter
In some cases referred to as
‘ulum al-’ala – knowledge sought (goal)
‘ulum al-ala – knowledge utilised (tool)
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A. M. Mohammed

25. Philosophy and Scholasticism
Other than the ‘Church’ is not darkness and barbarism
Harmonisation between faith and reason
Not seen as contradictory but complimentary
Science led to better understanding and appreciation of God
Science provided better utilisation of resources and developed technology to bring ease to people
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A. M. Mohammed

26. A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com
Conclusions
Islam from its sources and early practice clearly appreciates and recognises the importance of seeking and imparting knowledge
The understanding of the world and its inhabitants was an honoured task and pursuit
Science led to a better appreciation of God and allowed the better utilisation of existing resources and the development of technology
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A. M. Mohammed