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!