Islam inspires Muslims to seek knowledge and contribute as much to their communities as they can. Such is it, that many of the world’s advancements were made by Muslim scientists, mathematicians, and physicians in earlier years of history. The beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS) once said, “The best of people is one who is the most beneficial to people.” The fundamental value of the contribution is one that has inspired many people of different ethnicities, races, and religions. Let’s look at a few of the greatest Muslim contributions to civilization and discovery in history:
1. Arabic Numerals
Did you know that the simple numbers we use today are Arabic and Indian in origin? Muslim mathematicians Al-Khwarizmi, the Father of Algebra, worked with Al-Kindi of the Abbasid Empire, who was called the Philosopher of the Arabs, famously known for his invention of cryptanalysis (the study of decoding and understanding ciphers). They were both heavily involved in the creation, development, and transcriptions of Arabic numerals.
Knowledge of the 9-number system used by Indians was first passed over to the Arabians around the mid-600s AD. Severus Sebokht, a Nestorian bishop wrote in 662 AD, “I wish only to say that this computation is done utilizing nine signs. If those who believe…that they have arrived at the limits of science, would read the Indian texts, they would be convinced…that there are others who know something of value.”
Later, Al-Khwarizmi wrote a text explaining the Indian numeral system, which was translated into Latin. Unfortunately, as is the case with many translations, the Latin version of Al-Khwarizmi’s text was different from the original, thus a lot of information may have been lost in the process. However, the Latin translation clearly explained the Indian numeral system as using 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The 0 that we use today was considered to be an addition by Al-Khwarizmi, although the Father of Algebra’s written text was lost in history, and remains a mystery till today.
2. The Study of Vision - The Father of Sight
In the 11th century, Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham discovered and proved, that the process of vision occurs in the brain, rather than with the eyes. Nowadays, in modern science, scientists are discovering ways to improve vision and study it in ways that have never been seen before. But none of this would’ve been possible if a very particular philosopher who had a proficient knack for STEM, hadn’t been on house arrest. Confused? Intrigued, perhaps? Read on!
In 965 AD, Basra, Iraq, Al-Haytham was born during the ‘golden age’ of Muslim civilization. He grew up learning from erudite, pedantic scholars who were well-learned and taught by remarkable, intelligent scholars before them. In fact, Al-Haytham grew to be just like them and was interested in many scientific areas, some of which included mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and more.
He is reported to have claimed, “If I would be given the chance, I would implement a solution to regulate the Nile flooding.” Soon enough, news of his proclamation reached the ears of Al-Hakim, the Fatimid caliph of Egypt. Al-Haytham was invited to Cairo to build a dam and a reservoir to stop the Nile flooding. He reached Cairo, Egypt, confident that he would be able to solve the problem. However, when he saw the sheer magnitude of the river Nile, he rejected his own idea, rationalizing that if it were possible, it would have already been done by the great philosophers before him.
Al-Haytham was sent into protective custody (house arrest) after he feigned insanity, knowing that Islamic law, mandating protective custody for a madman, would protect him from Al-Hakim’s wrath, a result of the caliph’s infamous intolerance of failure. It was during this house arrest that Al-Haytham observed light entering the room through a small hole and deduced that light enters the eye in the same manner. This room, and other models similar to it, was later called camera obscura, or ‘darkroom,’ in Latin. He made several conclusions about how reflective light rays result in vision after a series of experiments that he conducted using glass and mirrors and changed the course of optic science forever.
Al-Haytham is said to have written at least 96 different texts, although only 55 are recorded to have survived throughout the years. Many of them were translated into Latin and used as a base concept by many European scholars. In fact, the Latin name given to Al-Haytham is Alhazen or Alhasen. His most famous text, Kitab Al-Manazir or Book of Optics, describes that vision occurs when light reflects off of its surroundings, and the colour of an object is dependent on the colours, tones, and brightnesses in its surroundings. His surviving texts evolved science theories, shaping the way science would be discovered in the future: by forming theories and proving them through experimentation. Today, it is now globally known as the ‘scientific method,’ and practiced by professional, occupational, and even young, aspiring STEM students all over the world!
3. A Wondrous Musician, Culinary Artist, & Fashion Designer Extraordinaire Who Changed the Meaning of Creativity Forever
Have you ever heard the saying, “No white clothes after Labour Day?” Well, even if you haven’t, we always tend to designate darker clothes to be worn during winter months, and lighter, brighter colours during spring and summer. But here’s the brilliant man who came up with this incredible concept: Ziryab, the one with a blackbird’s voice.
In 789 AD, Abu Al-Hassan Ali ibn Nafi was born. In his early life, he was recognized as a very talented musician but never given the chance to shine in his hometown of Baghdad, Iraq. That all changed when he was invited to the Umayyad emirate of Spain. After he finally made the long trek to Córdoba, Spain, Abd Al-Rahman II welcomed him, recognizing his true talent. In the many remaining years of his life that he spent at Córdoba, he changed its clothing styles, seasonal colours, hairstyles, and even tableware!
Abu Al-Hassan Ali ibn Nafi was given the nickname ‘Ziryab,’ meaning ‘blackbird.’ He had dark skin, and a beautiful voice, so it was a felicitously apt appellation. He was a well-reputable musician and composer, known for adding the 5th string to the traditional lute instrument. This was the inspiration for a future stringed instrument: the guitar. He was a creative composer, often combining the styles from his hometown, Baghdad, with his own ingenious innovations.
But his contributions don’t stop there! Ziryab introduced new clothing styles and determined that darker colours should be worn during winter/colder months to reflect the overall darker atmospheres. He realized that it also made sense to wear autumn colours during the fall seasons, and brighter, lighter colours in the summer months to reflect blooming flowers, bright sunshine, and clear skies.
Ziryab even created the concept of bangs! Many individuals, both male and female, use this common hairstyle today. But not many know that it was Ziryab’s idea to clean up the tangled, dishevelled hair mess that existed even before Islamic times. Perhaps the bangs weren’t his most well-known invention, but I’ll bet you know this next one: toothpaste!
Yep, much to everyone’s relief, he invented toothpaste as well! He also created shampoos of rosewater and salt that kept hair much healthier than before. Just think about it, Ziryab was like a medieval superhero!
To a colossal effect throughout history, he set the etiquette for course meals. He popularized the idea of an organized meal with a soup course first, heavier food items next, and finally, the fruits, sweets, and desserts last. In his time, all the food, soups, salads, breads, rice, meats, fruits, sweets, and desserts would all be served together. While this was more convenient, it was also a lot more disorganized than serving different types of food in different courses. Of course, we still use Ziryab’s meal coursing system to date!
These are only a few of the copiously bountiful Muslim accomplishments in early history. Each of these has such an immense significance in our world and have shaped the course of innovation in so many subject areas of the world! Think about it: without Al-Haytham’s discovery, we might not have found the secret to lenses and visual magnification. Without Arabic numerals, we wouldn’t be able to count the grapes in our bowls during the fruit/dessert course of a meal, but then again, without Ziryab, we wouldn’t have courses of a meal anyways! So you see, each of these contributions play such an instrumental role in our daily lives, whether it’s getting a new pair of eyeglasses, counting your spare change, or even exploring Ziryab’s creative, demiurgic innovations of asparagus!
Written by Zaina C., Age 13
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