Science in the medieval Islamic world

Tusi couple

Map of expansion of Caliphate

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Lunar phases al-Biruni

A Quince Tree, a Cypress Tree, and a Sumac Tree in Zakariya al-Qazwini's Wonders of Creation

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Science in the medieval Islamic world refers to the study of science in the Islamic civilization during the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 14th century. During this period, scholars in the Islamic world made significant advances in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, geography, and physics. These contributions were heavily influenced by earlier works from Ancient Greece, India, and Persia, but Islamic scholars expanded upon them, developing new theories, inventions, and methods of research.

History and Background

The foundation of science in the medieval Islamic world was laid with the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century. The Abbasids promoted learning and established the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, where scholars of different cultures and religions translated scientific and philosophical texts from Greek, Sanskrit, Persian, and Syriac into Arabic. This translation movement, known as the Translation Movement, was crucial for preserving and enhancing the knowledge inherited from previous civilizations.

Contributions to Mathematics

Islamic scholars made significant contributions to mathematics. Al-Khwarizmi is often regarded as the father of algebra for his comprehensive book on the subject, which introduced the methods of reducing and balancing equations. The term "algebra" itself is derived from the title of his book, Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala. Furthermore, the concept of the algorithm is based on his name, highlighting his impact on mathematics. Islamic mathematicians also made advances in trigonometry, geometry, and arithmetic, including the development of the Arabic numerals and the concept of the zero.

Astronomy

In the field of astronomy, Islamic scholars corrected and expanded upon the astronomical knowledge inherited from the Greeks. They built observatories, such as the one built by Ulugh Beg in Samarkand, to make more accurate astronomical observations. Scholars like Al-Battani and Al-Tusi made significant improvements to the Ptolemaic model of the universe. The Tusi-couple, a mathematical model developed by Al-Tusi, was later used by Nicolaus Copernicus in his heliocentric model.

Medicine

Islamic medicine was characterized by its empirical approach, with physicians like Al-Razi and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) compiling comprehensive medical encyclopedias that were used in the Islamic world and Europe for centuries. Ibn Sina's The Canon of Medicine was a standard medical text in Europe until the 17th century. Islamic hospitals, known as Bimaristans, were among the first to establish wards for specific diseases and to use pharmacies.

Chemistry

The development of chemistry in the Islamic world laid the groundwork for modern chemistry. Scholars like Jabir ibn Hayyan, considered the father of chemistry, introduced experimental techniques to the field, including distillation, crystallization, and filtration. They also discovered numerous substances and chemical processes.

Geography and Exploration

Islamic scholars made significant contributions to geography through their extensive explorations and the compilation of detailed maps and travel accounts. Al-Idrisi's Book of Roger was a notable geographical text that provided detailed descriptions of different parts of the world based on comprehensive surveys.

Physics

In physics, Islamic scholars like Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) made groundbreaking contributions, particularly in the field of optics. His work Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics) laid the foundations for the modern understanding of vision, light, and optics. He is often referred to as the father of modern optics.

Legacy

The scientific achievements of the medieval Islamic world had a profound impact on the development of science in the Western world. Many of their works were translated into Latin in the 12th and 13th centuries, playing a crucial role in the Renaissance. The methodologies and discoveries of Islamic scholars laid the foundations for various scientific disciplines and continue to be recognized for their contributions to human knowledge.