8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 1/15

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 2/15

history. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and

everywhere in between.

If the Islamic civilization was driven more than anything, it was by invention. Its architects

designed buildings that defied the 'then laws' of gravity. The continent's mathematicians created the

algebra and algorithms that would soon be the core knowledge of mankind, as it eventually enable

the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Medical men examined the human body,

and created new cures for so called fatal uncurable diseases of the time. Its astronomers looked into

the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.

Its writers created thousands of stories. Uncountable works of literature emphasizing on

stories of courage, romance and magic., of poets who wrote of love, when others before them were

too steeped in fear to think of such things.

At such time, the entire European Civilization were cowering in fear, lost, and blasphemy;

while most of Asia were having civil unrest, of civil war, ignorance and barbaric slaughters. These

other nations were afraid of ideas, while The Islamic civilization thrived on them, and kept them

alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept

the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 3/15

Islamic Civilization Principles and Culture – An Exposure

Around the Mediterrean Sea and Black Sea lies the infamous Ottoman Empire, which is

often considered the very peak of Islamic Civilization. It is of this period of time, that the culture of 

Islamic Civilization could actually be researched and studied on. Such inconveniences was caused

that upon the death of Muhammad S.A.W, the age of the 4 Caliphs were instable due to

governmental reformation attempts.

Beneath the authoritative reign of the Magnificent Ottoman Empire, there were many

cultures living together in state of harmony. Beneath the wing of the empire, these citizens

composed of myriad ethnic and religious groups, among the Ottoman elite eventually formed a

unique yet specific melding of various cultures. Under of which such a case brings a difficulty to

 properly define the boundaries of the Empire; apart from regional lands and capitals.

The Islamic Civilization, of which is more perceived, though rather wrongly as the Ottoman

Culture; comprises mostly of Ottomans, Persian, Byzantine Greek and Islamic. Such a union is

 perfectly evident within their architecture developments. Somewhere upon the Tulip Era, its cultural

attributes, -ironically highly affecting its architecture; is being influenced by highly ornamented

styles perpuated and popularized by Western Europe. The theologians define Islam as belief in and

 practice of its creed that "there is no God, if not God Himself." In a more elaborate form Islam is

defined as: “The Belief in One God, in His Angels, in His Revealed Books, in His messengers and

 prophets, in the Last Day and Resurrection, and in the determination of good and evil by God.”

Therefore Islamic law during the time of Islamic Civilization particularly enforced during

the time of the 4 Caliphs and Ottoman empire; does make a distinction among different non-Muslim

communities. It divides them into what might be called: 'developed' and 'primitive'; or, simply, to

those who believe in One God and follow Divine laws revealed to the founders of their religions,

and those who do not operate on the basis of revealed law (such as idolaters, pagans, atheists,

animists, etc.). Everyone however - both developed and primitive - is a subject who enjoys equal

 protection with regard to liberty of conscience and life.

One of the most characteristic features of Islamic Civilization Laws and Principles is the

award of judicial, social and cultural autonomy to these communities. As a result, they are routinelyreferred to as the dhimmis, in the technical terminology of the law. The word dhimma means a

compact which a believer agrees to respect and the violation of which makes him liable to dham

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 4/15

(blame). The other meaning of the word; also refers to guarantee of safety (aman). Legally, the term

refers to certain rights which must be protected by the state. The people whose rights are protected

are known as dhimmis or protected subjects.

Apart from that, the nature of judicial autonomy under Islamic law during the Islamic

Civilization period; instead of imposing Qur'anic laws on everybody, Islam permits and even

encourages every group (Jewish, Christian, Magian or other) to establish its own tribunals presided

over by its own judges. Each group should seek to apply its laws to all branches of human affairs.

Thus, the judicial autonomy at that time was intended to encompass not only individual, but also on

 private matters, such as involving personal status, but also for all the affairs of life: civil, penal,

religious and any others. As far as issues of social and cultural autonomy are concerned, the

safeguard of the rights of non-Muslims within the lands of the Islamic Civilization grants them theliberty of practising customs entirely opposed to those of Islam. For instance, manufacture,

importation, sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks is permitted to non-Muslims. The same is

true of games of chance, marriage with close relatives, contract entailing interest, etc.

To establish liberty of conscience in the world was one of the aims and objectives of the

Prophet Muhammad. Therefore; it was believed by the rulers of that time, that the concept of 'holy

war' in Islam is not eligible for the purpose of imposing Islam on non-Muslims or compelling

anyone to become Muslim. The spirit of Jihad; meant one of sacrifice to ensure that the word of 

God and the practices entailed by that word are not extinguished and were readily available for 

those who wish to follow the Divine Word and concomitant practices. Waging war for any other 

reason then was condemned illegal. There was absolutely no question of waging war in order to

compel people to embrace Islam. Such an act would pose as a taboo; making the attempt a

 blasphemy – an unholy war.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 5/15

Islamic Civilization Economy – A Fair Trade

The Islamic Civilization Empire obtained most of its wealth by expanding its territory; while

maintaining Agriculture as a secondary source of income. While the western colonies practices

capitalist economy and manufacturing industry, the Islamic Empire focused its time expanding its

masses. Apart from that, they also did traditional monopolies, conservative land holding as well as

agriculture.

Just as every Civilization out there, the Islamic civilization undergo a series of evolution in

its trading policies. These changes in policy are somewhat unavoidable, as the flow of time demand

changes in relative to the needs of the people. In an ever growing world such as the Islamic

Civilization at that time, improvements, innovations, or in short – a revolution – was needed; for 

even the great Islamic Empire to maintain its status in the world trade.

Within the earlier days of Prophet Muhammad's reign, continued for several decades during

the time of the 4 Caliphs, the main source of trading comes mainly in two categories – namely,

transportation services and agriculture. During those times, the preferred choice of transportation

was undoubtedly the camel, horses, as well as some luxury equipments that allowed the mobility of 

moving tents, caravans, etc. As for agriculture back then, its system was mainly singular and small,often run by families who were descendants of such an occupation, inheriting them directly from

their forefathers.

Business and trading then was small and domestic – mostly within villages / towns. The

output from agriculture families were of tremendously low quantity, barely adequate for the need of 

one particular town. Crossovers, caravans, international trading, ports, weren't in question at the

time. Manufacturing wasn’t progressing well either. Being of a professional field that brings such

low returns, the numbers of citizens who actually partake were not entirely professional. They

consist of mainly merchants and craftsman.

However, beginning from the early of 16th century until the 18th century, during the reign of 

the Ottoman Empire, such ‘traditional’ economic culture undergoes a revolutionary change. This

was the time when Islamic Civilization began to open its doors to foreigners, who came by distant

lands looking for trading opportunities. The need for such an event undoubtedly increased alertness

for improvements of many of their outdated system. From the 16th to the 18th century, transportation

was made by land or sea, each serves its own purpose and both were equally essential. The

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 6/15

transportation infrastructure expands eventually due to the efficiency of the administrative system.

Though land transportation was essential, it lacks in its technological developments and was only

ideally used within the early 16th century.

Caravans were the main system that was used then by the Ottoman Empire, accompanying

merchants safely towards their destination. This network of caravans grew outstretched till Balkans,

serving safe lodging and protection to the travelling merchants. It was an unfortunate turn of events

however, as during the leap from 16th and 17th century, there Those were the dark times of land

transportation, as it lasted for nearly a century until the 18 th century, when security tighten.

During the Islamic Civilization Reign of Sultan Bayezid II, the Ottomans built a powerful

navy used to suppress piracy and protect merchant shipping. It was also used as a diplomatic pawnin furthering trading interests, in securing the coasts of the empire and furthering territorial

expansion. The development of naval power in the eastern Mediterranean fostered cordial trading

relations between Venice and the empire.

While on sea, elite navies guarded the coast line to protect the sailing merchants from human

threats such as piracy. Other than protecting the merchants, they also serve a purpose to secure their 

relation between other trading countries, as a way to expand their territorial influence and solve

diplomatic crisis. A free market system was more preferably used rather than sea trades. All of the

main maritime routes were between Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean which their main trades

were wheat, the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, main trade spices. The Black Sea, wheat and lumber as

their main trade and finally the Western Mediterranean.

The rapid development of agriculture within the Islamic Civilization also began around the

era of 18th century. It was during this time when the business of agriculture went up being

commercialized due to the increase of number people living in urban areas, the demand greatly rose

and the advancement of using railed transportation began.

In the 18th century, agriculture went up in being commercialized. Due to the increase in

number of people living in urban areas, the demand greatly rose and the advancement of using

railed transportation began. Here begins a new state policy stating out that a big percentage of the

tax to be paid in cash. The greater increase in production will require a higher price to pay. The

demand for consumer goods increase production thus increase the price of items sold. It was of this

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 7/15

age where the concepts of sharing of ownership took place to accommodate the rising cost in the

industry. Proper planting planning was carried out, so that planting crops are available throughout

the seasons.

The Manufacturing Industry was late to fruit, though its returns were worth the wait. A horde

of elite professionals emerge very much later, replacing the older incapable ones. Many guilds were

established to further improve while maintaining the standards. At least 1580 guilds were reported

to have been created for the contemporary Ottoman society. The actual date and spark of such a

new industry remains uncertain, though it was believed through estimated records that it occurred

around the late of 18th Century, fuelled by the rise of the Renaissance of the West.

Leathers and yarn that were handmade were of such great demand that individual small

corporations were not enough to accommodate the rise of demands. The workers for manufacturing

these products were mainly consisting of women and young girls. Smaller corporations fused

creating a large trading empire that manufactured their products at alarming rate while maintaining

its quality. In the 19th century, this industry re-emerged raw silk and oriental carpets for import

 purposes. Due to ever increase in demand; as the world gets more and more connected via sea

trades; the Manufacturing Company decided to relocate the base of their operations to more urban

areas, taking control of the monopoly among the outskirts, at the same time providing a living

among the rural natives.

Such a steep increase in economic growth is bound to fall eventually. As of such, during the

19th century, the Ottoman Empire, overcome with greed and mismanagement decided to implement

tax as their primary source of income. This eventually led to domestic borrowing, which also in turn

 became their primary financial supply. It was of this period of time when the Islamic Civilization

lands were forced to use paper money, plunging the entire empire in debt. As time passes by, the percentage of people borrowing money took a steep increase, which eventually resulted into the fall

of such a great Civilization.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 8/15

Islamic Civilization Achievements – Eureka

"He has taught you that which (heretofore) you knew not” (QURAN, SURAH 

 II: 239)Islam is a religion based upon knowledge for it is ultimately knowledge of the Oneness of 

God combined with faith and total commitment to Him that saves man. The text of the Quran is

replete with verses inviting man to use his intellect, to ponder, to think and to know, for the goal of 

human life is to discover the Truth which is none other than worshipping God in His Oneness. The

Hadith literature is also full of references to the importance of knowledge. Such sayings of the

Prophet as "Seek knowledge even in China", "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave", and

Verily the men of knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets", have echoed throughout the historyof Islam and incited Muslims to seek knowledge wherever it might be found. During most of its

history, Islamic civilization has been witness to a veritable celebration of knowledge. That is why

every traditional Islamic city possessed public and private libraries and some cities like Cordoba

and Baghdad boasted of libraries with over 400,000 books. Such cities also had bookstores, some of 

which sold a large number of titles. That is also why the scholar has always been held in the highest

esteem in Islamic society.

The marvel and achievements of Islam is highly illustrated within the time of The Golden

Age, or the Islamic Civilization particularly focused during the time of the Ottoman Empire. Such

achievements came to fruit due to its governmental policies that prioritize on the concept of 

learning and innovations. The technological improvements between these centuries of time were

massive more than any period in human history.

Astronomy

In astronomy the Muslims integrated the astronomical traditions of the Indians, Persians, the

ancient Near East and especially the Greeks into a synthesis which began to chart a new chapter in

the history of astronomy from the 8th century onward. The Almagest of Ptolemy, whose very name

in English reveals the Arabic origin of its Latin translation, was thoroughly studied and its planetary

theory criticized by several astronomers of both the eastern and western lands of Islam leading to

the major critique of the theory by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi and his students, especially Qutb al-Din al-

Shirazi, in the 13th century.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 9/15

The Muslims of the Ottoman Empire also observed the heavens carefully and discovered

many new stars. The book on stars of 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi was in fact translated into Spanish by

Alfonso X el Sabio and had a deep influence upon stellar toponymy in European languages. Many

star names in English such as Aldabran still recall their Arabic origin. It was also the hard work 

among Muslims of that period that first created an astronomical observatory as a scientific

institution; the observatory of Maraghah in Persia established by al-Tusi which indirectly became

the model for the later European observatories. Many astronomical instruments then were

developed by Muslims to carry out observation, the most famous being the astrolabe. There existed

even mechanical astrolabes perfected by Ibn Samh which must be considered as the ancestor of the

mechanical clock.

Astronomical observations also had practical applications including not only finding the

direction of Makkah for prayers, but also applied their astronomical knowledge to questions of 

time-keeping and the calendar. The concept of time recording and management was a revolutionary

concept back then, as the the most exact solar calendar existing to this day is the Jalali calendar was

devised under the direction of 'Umar Khayyam in the 12th century and still till today used in Persia

and Afghanistan.

Mathematics

The first great Muslim mathematician, al-Khwarazmi, who lived in the 9th century, wrote a

treatise on arithmetic whose Latin translation brought what is known as Arabic numerals to the

West. To this day guarismo, derived from his name, means figure or digit in Spanish while

algorithm is still used in English. Al-Khwarzmi was also the author of the first book on algebra.

This science was developed by Muslims on the basis of earlier Greek and Indian works of a

rudimentary nature. The very name algebra comes from the first part of the name of the book of al-

Khwarazmi, entitled Kitab al-jabr wa'l-muqabalah. Abu Kamil al-Shuja' discussed algebraic

equations with five unknowns. The science was further developed by such figures as al-Karaji until

it reached its peak with Khayyam who classified by kind and class algebraic equations up to the

third degree.

The Muslims of Islamic Civilization Age also excelled in geometry as reflected in their art.

The brothers Banu Musa who lived in the 9th century may be said to be the first outstanding

Muslim geometers while their contemporary Thabit ibn Qurrah used the method of exhaustion,

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 10/15

giving a glimpse of what was to become integral calculus. Many Muslim mathematicians such as

Khayyam and al-Tusi also dealt with the fifth postulate of Euclid and the problems which follow if 

one tries to prove this postulate within the confines of Eucledian geometry. Another branch of 

mathematics developed by Muslims is trigonometry which was established as a distinct branch of 

mathematics by al-Biruni. The Muslim mathematicians, especially al-Battani, Abu'l-Wafa', Ibn

Yunus and Ibn al-Haytham, also developed spherical astronomy and applied it to the solution of 

astronomy and applied it to the solution of astronomical problems.

Physics

In the field of physics the Muslims of Islamic Age made contributions in especially three

domains; the first being the measurement of specific weights of objects and the study of the balance

following upon the work of Archimedes. In this domain the writings of al-Biruni and al-Khazini

stand out. Secondly they criticized the Aristotelian theory of projectile motion and tried to quantify

this type of motion. The critique of Ibn Sina, Abu'l-Barakat al-Baghdadi, Ibn Bajjah and others led

to the development of the idea of impetus and momentum and played an important role in the

criticism of Aristotelian physics in the West up to the early writings of Galileo. Thirdly there is the

field of optics in which the Islamic sciences produced in Ibn al-Haytham (the Latin Alhzen) who

lived in the 11th century, the greatest student of optics between Ptolemy and Witelo. Ibn al-

Haytham's main work on optics, the Kitab al-manazir, was also well known in the West as

Thesaurus opticus. Ibn al-Haytham solved many optical problems, one of which is named after him,

studied the property of lenses, discovered the Camera Obscura, explained correctly the process of 

vision, studied the structure of the eye, and explained for the first time why the sun and the moon

appear larger on the horizon. His interest in optics was carried out two centuries later by Qutb al-

Din al-Shirazi and Kamal al-Din al-Farisi. It was Qutb al-Din who gave the first correct explanation

of the formation of the rainbow.

Medical

Muhammad ibn Zakariyya' al-Razi (the Latin Rhazes), was one of the greatest of physicians

who emphasized clinical medicine and observation. He was a master of prognosis and

 psychosomatic medicine and also of anatomy. He was the first to identify and treat smallpox, to use

alcohol as an antiseptic and make medical use of mercury as a purgative. His Kitab al-hawi

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 11/15

(Continens) is the longest work ever written in Islamic medicine and he was recognized as a

medical authority in the West up to the 18th century.

The greatest of all Muslim physicians, however, was Ibn Sina who was called "the prince of 

 physicians" in the West. He synthesized Islamic medicine in his major masterpiece, al-Qanun

fi'ltibb (The Canon of Medicine), which is the most famous of all medical books in history. It was

the final authority in medical books in history. It was the final authority in medical matters in

Europe for nearly six centuries and is still taught wherever Islamic medicine has survived to this

day in such land as Pakistan and India. Ibn Sina discovered many drugs and identified and treated

several ailments such as meningitis but his greatest contribution was in the philosophy of medicine.

He created a system of medicine within which medical practice could be carried out and in which

 physical and psychological factors, drugs and diet are combined.

The Ottoman Empire world was also an arena of great medical activity derived from the

heritage of Ibn Sina. The Ottoman Turks were especially known for the creation of major hospitals

and medical centres. These included not only units for the care of the physically ill, but also wards

for patients with psychological ailments. The Ottomans were also the first to receive the influence

of modern European medicine in both medicine and pharmacology.

Chemistry

The very name alchemy as well as its derivative chemistry come from the Arabic al-Kimiya'.

The Muslims during the Islamic Golden Age eventually mastered Alexandrian and very early in

their history, produced their greatest alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan (the Latin Geber) who lived in the

8th century. Putting the cosmological and symbolic aspects of alchemy aside, one can assert that

this art led to much experimentation with various materials and in the hands of Muhammad Ibn

Zakariyya' al-Razi was converted into the science of chemistry. To this day certain chemical

instruments such as the alembic (al-'ambiq) still bear their original Arabic names and the mercury-

sulphur theory of Islamic alchemy remains as the foundation of the acid-base theory of chemistry.

Al-Razi's division of materials into animal, vegetable and mineral is still prevalent and a vast body

of knowledge of materials accumulated by Islamic alchemists and chemists has survived over the

centuries in both East and West. For example the use of dyes in objects of Islamic art ranging from

carpets to miniatures or the making of glass have much to do with this branch of learning which the

West learned completely from Islamic sources since alchemy was not studied and practiced in the

West before the translation of Arabic texts into Latin in the 11th century.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 12/15

Technology

Islam inherited the millennial experience in various forms of technology from the peoples

who entered the fold of Islam and the nations which became part of Dar al-islam. A wide range of 

technological knowledge, from the building of water wheels by the Romans to the undergroundwater system by the Persians, became part and parcel of the technology of the newly founded order.

Muslims also imported certain kinds of technology from the Far East such as paper which

they brought from China and whose technology they later transmitted to the West. They also

developed many forms of technology on the basis of earlier existing knowledge such as the

metallurgical art making the famous Damascene swords, and art which goes back to the making of 

steel several thousand years before on the Iranian Plateau. The Muslims, particularly those during

the reign of the Ottoman Empire developed new architectural techniques of vaulting, methods of 

ventilation, preparations of dyes, techniques of weaving, technologies related to irrigation and

numerous other forms of technology, some of which survive to this day.

Some of the Muslim technological feats such as dams which have survived for over a

millennium, domes which can withstand earthquakes, and steel which reveals incredible

metallurgical know-how, attest to the exceptional attainment of Muslims in many fields of 

technology. In fact it was a vastly superior technology that first impressed the Crusaders in their 

unsuccessful attempt to capture the Holly Land and much of this technology was brought back by

the Crusaders to the rest of Europe.

Architecture and Art

Islamic art includes the arts produced from the 7th century onwards by people who lived within the

countries that was inhabited by culturally Islamic populations. It includes fields as varied as architecture,

calligraphy, painting, and ceramics, among others. Islamic art is generally more focused on line patterns and

calligraphy of languages influenced by the Arabic language. And it’s believed that depicting the human figure

in art is a form of sin and idolatry and against Islam.

Perhaps the most important expression of Islamic art is architecture, particularly that of the mosque.

Through the ages, the effects of different Islamic art influences can be seen. The North African and Spanish

Islamic architecture, for example, has Roman-Byzantine elements, as seen in the Alhambra palace

at Granada, or in the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Domes have been used in Islamic architecture for centuries.

The earliest surviving dome is part of the Dome of the Rock monument. Another prominent dome is that of 

the 17th century Taj Mahal. A specifically recognisable Islamic architectural style emerged soon

after Muhammad's time, developing from localized adaptations of Egyptian, Persian/Sassanid and Greek

Byzantine models. The Germanic Visigoths in Spain also made a big contribution to Islamic architecture

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 13/15

They invented the Horseshoe arch in Spain and used them as one of their main architectural features.

The origin of the Persian paintings is difficult to trace. The art form reached its peak mainly during the

Mongol and Timurid periods (13th-16th century), and was heavily influenced by Chinese paintings as the

Mongol rulers of Persia brought with them numerous Chinese artists to the court. Mongol-

Persian mythological miniatures, the mythical animals buraq and dragon was portrayed in a style reminiscent

of the Chinese qilin and Chinese dragon, reflecting the Chinese background of painters who introduced

watercolor techniques to Iran and initiated several medieval schools of Persian miniature painting.

In fact, many religious paintings, including a famous one portraying the Prophet Muhammad's Miraj from

the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem into the heavens, displays stylistic elements of 

undoubtedly Chinese origins. Islamic angels are depicted as wearing the tight robes of northern Chinese

style. Persian miniature paintings of the Ilkhanid and Timurid periods, especially ones related to

the Shahnameh stories, usually borrow landscape painting techniques from contemporary Chinese schools,

developed during the Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty.

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 14/15

The Islamic Civilization – A Conclusion

This was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire

and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the

Magnificent. Although 'we', at this present age are often unaware, oblivious and ignorant of our unpaid indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts then are now very much a part of our 

heritage.

Technology would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians!

Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth!

Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership!

And perhaps we can learn a lesson from his example: for it was leadership based on

meritocracy, not inheritance. It was his leadership that harnessed the full capabilities of a very

diverse population–that included Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions. This kind of 

enlightened leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage — 

led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.

In dark and serious times like this, we must affirm our commitment to building societies and

institutions that aspire to this kind of greatness. More than ever, we must focus on the importance of 

leadership– bold acts of leadership and decidedly personal acts of leadership.

“Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best 

companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your 

 privacy.

 Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is

the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of 

hardships.

Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is

 your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.

Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank,

and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of 

their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will 

 seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels

 seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life

8/8/2019 Islamic Civilization, A Brief Introduction

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/islamic-civilization-a-brief-introduction 15/15

they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the

oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and 

 solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf.

This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures

one’s blindness and restores his inner sight”

(Abu Nu’aym, Al-Hilyah that Mu’adh bin Jabal)