Islamic & Asian civilization(SADN 1013)

Lecturer: Dr. Musa

Topic: Discussions on the golden age of Islamic civilizationMuhammad Maladoh Bah

Content Introduction Discussion of viewpoints Catalysts for success Contributions to mathematics Contributions to mathematics Contributions of the golden age to science and

medicine Philosophy and translation Trade and commerce The decline of the Islamic civilization Conclusion

The Islamic Golden age

The golden age was during the Abbasid historical period beginning in the mid-8th century lasting until the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258

It was led under caliph Harun Rashid During the reign of Harun al-Rashid Baghdad was the world

center of knowledge, wealth and international significance. Two factors that laid down the foundation of this period:

o Collection and translation of knowledgeo Sponsoring of scholars

Discussion of viewpoints

Advances of the golden age

Mathematics

Medicine

science

Philosophy and

translation

Architecture and

engineering

Reasons for success

Catalysts for successThere are many reasons for the success of the Islamic civilization during this period most notably is:The principles and ideals of Islam was practiced.tolerance and respect for the contributions of ethnic and religious minorities.Islam unified the tribes of Arabia.Islam was attractive to the conquered:

It was easy to become Muslimpreaches equality (people could move up in society)

Mathematics

Islam made major strides in the field of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

They used to solve practical problems.

Contributions can be traced to Al-Khawarizmi in the 9th century.

He introduced the fundamentals of algebra.

Most revolutionary contribution was the development of numbers and the discovery of zero (sifr).

Muhammad Bin Musa Al-Khawarizmi (780-850)

Scientific method

scientific method was first developed in the Muslim world, where significant progress in methodology was made.

The most important development of the scientific method was the use of experimentation and quantification.

Muslim scientists translated Greek classics and made far-reaching advances in many fields.

Advances in medicine In the field of medicine the Muslims laid down the

foundations of many sub areas of medicine. Both preventative and remedial aspects of medicine was

researched and developed. Al-Razi, a 9th century Persian physician, made the first

major Muslim contribution to medicine when he developed treatments for smallpox and measles.

Another physician Ibn sina composed over 276 works and the most prominent is Qanun Ibn Sina (Cannon of medicine).

Muslims also made advances in the treatments of cataracts (main cause of blindness during old age).

Extract from the canon of medicine

Cataract

Medicine

Invention of medical tools

Developing science

Scientific work started with the translation of scientific texts into Arabic.

notable achievements are in the field of chemistry and physics.

Muslim chemist Jabir discovered nitric acid and developed the process of distillation, sublimation, filtration, coagulation and crystallization. Sublimation process

Developing science

Physics Ibn al-Haytham (ca.

965-1039), "father of optics," explained how human vision takes place .

He used an early form of the scientific method to explain optics .

Philosophy Muslim philosophers also took ideas from the Qur'an as a starting

point for pondering philosophical issues. At the heart of the debate between philosophy and theology were

arguments for faith versus reason. The key question that was extensively debated was: In the event

of a conflict between human knowledge and revealed knowledge which should prevail?

Muslim philosophers were characterised by their Deen. Their faith in Islam led them to recognize that even reason could not be used to fully understand God or his knowledge.

Philosophy Al-Farabi and other early Muslim philosophers tried to find rational arguments for the existence of God.

Theologians, led by Al-Ghazali, defended religion by pointing out contradictions and limitations to human reason.

Ibn Rushd (Muslim scholar), responded to Al-Ghazali's argument by urging philosophers to use reason to reach genuine knowledge of the truth, independent of revelation.

Translation The Abbasid encouraged translation from pre-

Islamic languages, particularly Middle Persian, Greek, and Syriac.

This was necessary for two reason: 1.to understand the texts 2.Make further research and development This activity provided a channel through which

older thought could enter and be reoriented by Islamic societies.

Architecture and engineering

Islamic architecture is distinct in terms of its unique architectural elements and ornamentations

Calligraphy, an essential aspect of written Arabic, developed in manuscripts is often incorporated in architectural designs

Muslims also contributed to the field of engineering by inventing gears, cranks, pistons and pumps.

These tools was later incorporated into machinery developed during the European-based industrial revolution.

Architecture and engineering

Twin cylinder suction pump by Al-jazri

Machine used to elevate water

Mill-house near cordoba

The Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia)

Founded in 670 (9th century)

Al-Mutawakkil Mosque

Beautiful masjid outside the city of Samarra

Remained intact for centuries

Trade and commerce

The benefits of trade during the golden age

Trade

Transfer of knowledge (scientific)

Economic prosperity (enabled the state to set up hospitals and support scholars)

Other benefits: The use of paper spread

Spread of Islam to other lands

Trade and commerce

The impact of trade on European civilization was determined by three elements; geography, historical development and spread of Islam.

Maritime trade routes fostered growth in commercial activities.

Spice trade became an influential activity for European leaders

Trade with other nations became important.

Trade routes

The decline of Islamic civilization (golden age)

The decline of the golden age came as a result of a decline in adherence to Islam as an ideology

Ideological decline can be attributed to:

Infusion of philosophical ideas from Greek, Persian and Indian civilization

Abandoning of ijtihad (Translation) Neglecting the study of the Arabic language Political, cultural and missionary intervention from the west

Decline of the golden age

As a result of decline in adherence to Islam: Muslims priorities in life changed and they faced

internal upheavals and conflicts It also led to weakness of all institutions in the

state The field of Science and technology was most

impacted due to financial problems that research funds to decline

Thank you!