MUSLIM CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MODERN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Rise and Fall of Abbasids and Umayyad: As the saying goes that for every rise there is a fall. The Abbasids claim for power was based on the fact that they were the descendants of the younger uncle of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), named Abbas. They were sympathetic towards the Shia Muslims and received assistance from them. But once they came to power, they were more tyrannical and oppressive to the Shia Muslims. Nepotism, unlawful use of Muslim wealth for personal selfish interests, oppressive behavior towards the Muslims, was some of the causes of their downfall.

Islamic Golden Age: The capital was moved from Damascus to Baghdad. The society as a whole realized that importance of knowledge as reported in the Traditions that the ink of a scholar was more holy than the blood of a martyr. The Abbasid caliphate which lasted till the conquest of Baghdad by the Mongols is considered as the “Islamic Golden Age” Arab scientists were in the fore front of the scientific advancements in the fields of Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine, and optics etc.

Algebra was significantly developed by Muhammad al-Khwarizmi as detailed in his book “Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala”. He is considered as the “Father of Algebra”. He was also responsible for introducing the Arabic Numerals and Hindu Arabic numerals system beyond the Indian sub-continent. Ibn al-Haytham (alhazen) developed an early scientific method in his “Book of Optics”. Ibn al-Haytham’s empirical proof of the intromission theory of light (that the light rays entered the eyes rather than that they emitted by them). Bradley Steffens described Ibn al-Haytham as the “First Scientist”. During the 9^th Century there were 800 doctors in Baghdad and great discoveries in the understanding of anatomy and disease were made. The clinical distinction between measles and small pox was described during this time. Famous Persian scientist Ibn Sina (known to the West as Avicenna) produced treatises and works that summarized the vast amount of knowledge that scientists had accumulated, and was very influential through his encyclopedias, “The Cannon of Medicine and The Book of Healing” His work and also others greatly influenced the research of European scientists during the “Renaissance” (The Revival of Learning).  

Astronomy in Medieval Islam was advance by al-Battani, who improved the precision of the precession of the earth’s axis. The corrections made to the geocentric model by al-Battani, Averroes, Nasir-uddin al-Tusi, Mohyuddin Urdi, and Ibn al-Shatir were later incorporated into the Copernican heliocentric model. The Astrolabe, though originally developed by the Greeks, was developed further by Muslim Astronomers and Engineers, and subsequently brought to Medieval Europe.

Muslim alchemists influenced the European Medieval alchemists, particularly the writings of Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber). A number of chemical processes such as Distillation techniques were developed in Muslim world then spread to Europe.  

The Muslim world adopted the paper making from China. The Islamic paper makers devised assembly lines methods of hand-copying manuscripts to turn out editions far larger than any available in Europe for centuries. It was from Muslims that the rest of the world learned to make paper from linen.

Advances were made in irrigation and farming using “Windmill”. Almonds and citrus fruits were brought to Europe through al-Andlus (Spain), and sugar cultivation was gradually adopted by Europeans. Apart from Niles, Tigris and Euphrates, navigable rivers were uncommon, so transport by sea was very important. Navigational sciences were highly developed, making use of a rudimentary Sextant. Muslim sailors were responsible for reintroducing large three masted merchant vessels through Mediterranean. Arab merchants dominated the trade in the Indian Ocean until the 16^th century.

Muslim Engineers made a number of innovative industrial use of “Hydro Power”, and early industrial use of “Tidal Power”, ‘Wind Power” and petroleum (notably by distillation into kerosene). The industrial use of “Watermill” dates back to 7^th century, while Horizontal-wheel and Vertical-wheeled Watermills were in use since 9^th century. These mills performed both an industrial and agricultural tasks. Muslim engineers also developed machines (such as pumps)incorporating crank-shafts, employed gears in mills, and water-raising machines, and used dams to provide additional powers to the water mills and water raising machines.

A number of industries were generated during the Arab Agricultural Revolution, including early industries for textiles, sugar, rope-making, silk, and paper. The handicraft industries also experienced a high level of growth during this period.

Source used:

WIKIPEDIA