Contributions of Islam to Civilization

Bashar A. ShalaBashar A. Shala

March 14, 2004March 14, 2004

Human CivilizationHuman Civilization

• Collective sum of different Collective sum of different contributions throughout the ages.contributions throughout the ages.

• Usually led by dominant leading Usually led by dominant leading cultures at any certain point in cultures at any certain point in historyhistory

Human CivilizationHuman CivilizationExchange and development of knowledge, Exchange and development of knowledge,

an Islamic principle:an Islamic principle:O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a

male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (exchange that you may know each other (exchange knowledge).knowledge). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted with all things.

�ن�ث�ى • أ و� ذ�ك�ر م�ن� ن�اك�م� ل�ق� خ� �ن�ا إ الن�اس� ا �ي�ه� أ ي�اب�ائ�ل� و�ق� ع�وب"ا ش� ع�ل�ن�اك�م� واو�ج� ف� وال�ت�ع�ار� ف� ك�م� ل�ت�ع�ار� م� ك�ر�

أ� إ�ن�ع�ل�يم- الل�ه� إ�ن� اك�م� �ت�ق� أ الل�ه� ن�د� )13الحجرات) خبير ع�

Human CivilizationHuman Civilization

• No one culture has a No one culture has a “monopoly” on civilization. “monopoly” on civilization.

ا ت�ل�ك� ا و� ت�ل�ك� الن�اس� ألألو� ب�ي�ن� ا ل�ه� ن�د�او� الن�اس� ي�ام� ب�ي�ن� ا ل�ه� ن�د�او� آل ي�ام�

140 عمران

“..Such days (of varying fortunes) we give to people by turns..”

Human Civilization

Greek

ChineseWestern

Islamic

IndianRoman

Byzantine

Persian

Culture Culture • LanguageLanguage

• ReligionsReligions

• Social CustomsSocial Customs

• ArchitectureArchitecture

• Science and InnovationsScience and Innovations

• CuisineCuisine

• TransportationTransportation

• Industry and AgricultureIndustry and Agriculture

Islamic Influence on Western and Islamic Influence on Western and Modern CivilizationModern Civilization

• Undeniable Contribution of Islamic Culture Undeniable Contribution of Islamic Culture on today’s daily livingon today’s daily living

• Great contributions to Science.Great contributions to Science.

• Transfer and preservations of Civilization in Transfer and preservations of Civilization in the “Dark Ages” of Europe.the “Dark Ages” of Europe.

Arabic WordsArabic Words (Words introduced to English by Muslims)

• Coffee:Coffee: Etymology: Italian & Turkish; Italian caffè, from Turkish kahve, from Arabic qahwa

• From Yemen• Best Coffee “Arabica”

Arabic WordsArabic Words Words introduced to English by Muslims

• Orange:Orange: Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Old Provençal auranja, from Arabic nAranj, from Persian nArang, from Sanskrit nAranga orange tree

• From Persia to Spain

Arabic WordsArabic Words Words introduced to English by Muslims

• Soda:Soda:•

Etymology: Italian, from Etymology: Italian, from Arabic suwwAd, any of Arabic suwwAd, any of several saltworts from the several saltworts from the ashes of which sodium ashes of which sodium carbonate is obtainedcarbonate is obtained

• Carbonated drinks started in Carbonated drinks started in the Arab world and Cola was the Arab world and Cola was brought by West African brought by West African slaves to the South, the birth slaves to the South, the birth place of Coca-Colaplace of Coca-Cola

Arabic WordsArabic Words Words introduced to English by Muslims

• Candy:Candy:

Etymology: Middle English sugre candy, part translation of Middle French sucre candi, part translation of Old Italian zucchero candi, from zucchero sugar + Arabic qandI candied, from qand cane sugar

• First Sugar Factory in Muslim Cypress Al-Quandi

Arabic WordsArabic Words Words introduced to English by Muslims

• Cotton:Cotton:

Etymology: Middle English Etymology: Middle English coton, from Middle French, coton, from Middle French, from Arabic qutunfrom Arabic qutun

Spanish: AlgodonSpanish: Algodon

Arabic WordsArabic Words • Sofa:Sofa:

Etymology: Arabic suffah Etymology: Arabic suffah long benchlong bench

Arabic WordsArabic Words • Alcohol:Alcohol: Etymology: New Latin, from Medieval Latin, Etymology: New Latin, from Medieval Latin,

powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-powdered antimony, from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuhulkuhul

• Algebra:Algebra: Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-jabr, Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-jabr, literally, the reductionliterally, the reduction

• Algorithm:Algorithm: Etymology: alteration of Middle English Etymology: alteration of Middle English algorisme, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old algorisme, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic al-French, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic al-khuwArizmi, from al-Khwarizmi fl A.D. 825 Arabian khuwArizmi, from al-Khwarizmi fl A.D. 825 Arabian mathematicianmathematician

MathematicsMathematics

• Arabic Numerals: 1,2,3,4,5...

• Use of “Zero” (from Arabic sifr(

• Algebra: – Al-Khwarizmi (c.780-c.850)Al-Khwarizmi (c.780-c.850)– Al-Karaji of Baghdad (953-c.1029) Al-Karaji of Baghdad (953-c.1029)

• Algorithm

ASTRONOMYASTRONOMY • The AstrolabeThe Astrolabe: : It was used to chart It was used to chart

the precise time of sunrises and the precise time of sunrises and sunsets, and to determine the period sunsets, and to determine the period for fasting during the month of for fasting during the month of Ramadan Ramadan

• Navigational tools: Navigational tools: Compass and Compass and AstrolabeAstrolabe. Enabled long journey . Enabled long journey navigation. Eventually discovery of navigation. Eventually discovery of the new world.the new world.

• Al-BiruniAl-Biruni, discussed the possibility of , discussed the possibility of the earth’s rotation on its own axis – the earth’s rotation on its own axis – a theory proven by Galileo six a theory proven by Galileo six centuries later.centuries later.

NAVIGATION AND GEOGRAPHY

Al-Idrisi, a Al-Idrisi, a twelfth century twelfth century scientist living in scientist living in Sicily.Sicily. Idrisi’s work was Idrisi’s work was considered the considered the best best geographical geographical guide of its time. guide of its time.

NAVIGATION AND GEOGRAPHYIbn BattutaIbn Battuta (1304-1369 CE(, an Arab, (1304-1369 CE(, an Arab, covered over seventy five thousand covered over seventy five thousand miles. miles.

His wanderings, over a period of His wanderings, over a period of decades at a time, took him to decades at a time, took him to Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Persia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Persia, and central Asia. and central Asia.

He spent several years in India, and He spent several years in India, and from there was appointed from there was appointed ambassador to the emperor of ambassador to the emperor of China. China.

Ibn Battuta’s book, Rihla (journey(, Ibn Battuta’s book, Rihla (journey(, is filled with information on the is filled with information on the politics, social conditions, and politics, social conditions, and economics of the places he visited. economics of the places he visited.

MEDICINEMEDICINE

Muslims had many achievements in this field Muslims had many achievements in this field including:including:

1) The use of 1) The use of anesthesiaanesthesia in surgery. in surgery.

2) The 2) The cauterizing of woundscauterizing of wounds..

3) The discovery that epidemics arise from 3) The discovery that epidemics arise from contagioncontagion through touch and air. through touch and air.

MEDICINEMEDICINE

• Al-RaziAl-Razi “Rhazes” (c. 865-c. 930), : was the first “Rhazes” (c. 865-c. 930), : was the first to diagnose smallpox and measles, to associate to diagnose smallpox and measles, to associate these diseases and others with human these diseases and others with human contamination.contamination.

• His extensive medical treatise in nine volumes, His extensive medical treatise in nine volumes, "Hawi""Hawi" was used as a textbook in the Sorbonne was used as a textbook in the Sorbonne as late as 1395. as late as 1395.

• Promoted Promoted psychotherapypsychotherapy and warned patient of and warned patient of changing doctors. changing doctors.

• Stressed importance of a balanced diet for good

health. Built a hospital in Baghdad.

MEDICINEMEDICINE

Ibn SinaIbn Sina (Avicenna( 980-1037 (Avicenna( 980-1037

- Wrote a famous medical encyclopedia - Wrote a famous medical encyclopedia in Arabic (Kanun) described every in Arabic (Kanun) described every known disease:known disease: Al-Kanun Al-Kanun became the became the basic medical text in the west for basic medical text in the west for five five centuriescenturies

- Mastered the natural sciences, - Mastered the natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy and law.mathematics, philosophy and law.

- His major work includes both philosophy - His major work includes both philosophy and medicine, and were and medicine, and were fundamental fundamental contributions to the renaissance in contributions to the renaissance in Europe.Europe.

MEDICINEMEDICINE

• Az-ZahrawiAz-Zahrawi “Albucasis” “Albucasis” (died 1013((died 1013(

• - Born in Spain- Born in Spain• - Known in Europe as Chief - Known in Europe as Chief

of all surgeons.of all surgeons.• - His books on medicine was - His books on medicine was

used in Europe till 16th used in Europe till 16th century.century.

• - His writings illustrate the - His writings illustrate the use of surgical instruments.use of surgical instruments.

Social SciencesSocial Sciences

Ibn Khaldun Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406)(1332-1406)- Father of modem sociology- Father of modem sociology- Did his work in Economy, - Did his work in Economy,

Anthropology and Political Science.Anthropology and Political Science.- - Al-MuqaddamahAl-Muqaddamah or Introduction: His or Introduction: His

book on the "Science of Civilization" book on the "Science of Civilization" was the greatest in studying the was the greatest in studying the nature of society, nature of society,

and he proved the cause and effect and he proved the cause and effect pattern of events.pattern of events.

PHYSICSPHYSICS

Ibn al HaythamIbn al Haytham (d 1039) (d 1039) “Alhazen”“Alhazen”

- Suggest the damming of - Suggest the damming of Nile River.Nile River.

- Explain the rainbow - Explain the rainbow scientifically.scientifically.

- Founder of optics.- Founder of optics.

- Excellent studies on the - Excellent studies on the reflection & refraction of reflection & refraction of light.light.

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

• Bayt al HikmahBayt al Hikmah (House of Wisdom( was (House of Wisdom( was the intellectual center and university the intellectual center and university that translated hundreds of books from that translated hundreds of books from all languages.all languages.

• First known First known UniversitiesUniversities in Damascus, in Damascus, Cordoba, Tunisia and Morocco.Cordoba, Tunisia and Morocco.

HORTICULTUREHORTICULTURE • Peach, apricot, lemonPeach, apricot, lemon and and

orangeorange trees were transplanted trees were transplanted in southern Europe by Muslim in southern Europe by Muslim soldiers.soldiers.

• OliveOlive was encouraged to grow was encouraged to grow in the sandy soil of Greece, in the sandy soil of Greece, Spain, and Sicily.Spain, and Sicily.

• CoffeeCoffee

• CottonCotton

CUISINECUISINECrusadersCrusaders carried spices

with them home from Palestine to western Europe. Rice, Sesame, pepper, ginger, cloves, melons and shallots, as well as dates, figs, oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits, were introduced into European cuisine via the Crusaders and the trade caravans of Eastern merchants.

COSMETICSCOSMETICS

• Perfumes, from Perfumes, from Roses and Roses and JasminesJasmines

• Kohl: eye shadow, Kohl: eye shadow, eye liner, mascara.eye liner, mascara.

• Henna: hair dyesHenna: hair dyes

• Body OilsBody Oils

MUSICMUSIC• Guitar: Al-’UdGuitar: Al-’Ud

• Kanun: Kanun: Prelude to the Prelude to the Piano, which is two Piano, which is two Kanuns put together.Kanuns put together.

• Percussion.Percussion.

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

Cordoba

Damascus

ARCHITECTURE

Al-Hambra

ARCHITECTURE

Istanbul

CraftsCrafts• Fabrics: Fabrics: Silk, Damask.Silk, Damask.

• Glass: Glass: influenced the famous influenced the famous Venetian Glass industry. Venetian Glass industry. Transferred to Europe during the Transferred to Europe during the Crusades.Crusades.

• MosaicMosaic

• RugsRugs

ARTART

CalligraphyCalligraphy

Religious ToleranceReligious Tolerance

• Human RightsHuman Rights, equality guaranteed by , equality guaranteed by religion. No ethnic or racial discrimination. religion. No ethnic or racial discrimination.

• Freedom of ReligionFreedom of Religion (The Muslim world (The Muslim world was the sanctuary for Jews during was the sanctuary for Jews during centuries of persecution) centuries of persecution)

Islamic LawIslamic Law

• Napoleon did recognize the Napoleon did recognize the superiority of the superiority of the Islamic (Shari'ah) LawIslamic (Shari'ah) Law - and did attempt to - and did attempt to implement this in his Empire.  Some aspects of implement this in his Empire.  Some aspects of the Islamic (Shari'ah) Law do currently exist in the Islamic (Shari'ah) Law do currently exist in French constitution as the basis for some of their French constitution as the basis for some of their laws from the “laws from the “Code Napoleone”, which is taken Code Napoleone”, which is taken from the Shari'ah Law of Imam Malikfrom the Shari'ah Law of Imam Malik." (." (David M. David M. PidcockPidcock, 1998 C.E.), 1998 C.E.)

• Further detailed accounts of this can be found in the book 'Napoleon And Islam' by C. Cherfils.  ISBN: 967-61-0898-7

QuotationsQuotations • ""I hope the time is not far off when I shall be I hope the time is not far off when I shall be

able to unite all the wise and educated men able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur'an regime based on the principles of Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness."lead men to happiness."

Napolean Napolean Bonaparte Bonaparte

(Napoleonic Code was based on Maliki School)(Napoleonic Code was based on Maliki School)

• Napolean Bonaparte as Quoted in Christian Cherfils, ‘Bonaparte et Islam,’ Napolean Bonaparte as Quoted in Christian Cherfils, ‘Bonaparte et Islam,’ Pedone Ed., Paris, France, 1914, pp. 105, 125.Pedone Ed., Paris, France, 1914, pp. 105, 125.Original References: "Correspondence de Napoléon Ier Tome V pièce n° Original References: "Correspondence de Napoléon Ier Tome V pièce n° 4287 du 17/07/1799..."4287 du 17/07/1799..."

QuotationsQuotations "From India to Spain, the brilliant civilization of "From India to Spain, the brilliant civilization of

Islam flourished. What was lost to Christendom Islam flourished. What was lost to Christendom at this time was not lost to civilization, but quite at this time was not lost to civilization, but quite the contrary... the contrary...

"To us it seems that West-European civilization is "To us it seems that West-European civilization is civilization, but this is a narrow view.“civilization, but this is a narrow view.“

Bertrand RusselBertrand Russel in ‘History of Western Philosophy,’ in ‘History of Western Philosophy,’ London, 1948, p. 419.London, 1948, p. 419.

QuotationsQuotations

"The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for "The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for equitable and gentle dealings and behavior, and inspire equitable and gentle dealings and behavior, and inspire people with nobility and tolerance. These are human people with nobility and tolerance. These are human teachings of the highest order and at the same time teachings of the highest order and at the same time practicable. These teachings brought into existence a practicable. These teachings brought into existence a society in which hard-heartedness and collective society in which hard-heartedness and collective oppression and injustice were the least as compared oppression and injustice were the least as compared with all other societies preceding it....Islam is replete with with all other societies preceding it....Islam is replete with gentleness, courtesy, and fraternity.“gentleness, courtesy, and fraternity.“

H.G. WellsH.G. Wells

QuotationsQuotations "If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe "If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe

within the next hundred years, it could be Islam." within the next hundred years, it could be Islam."

"I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation "I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity." Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity."

"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the "I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.“acceptable to the Europe of today.“

Sir George Bernard ShawSir George Bernard Shaw in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.

Islamic Principles that promoted Islamic Principles that promoted advancing Civilizationadvancing Civilization

• Seeking knowledge continuously. “From Seeking knowledge continuously. “From the cradle to the grave”the cradle to the grave”

• Sincerity in performing work.Sincerity in performing work.

• Always aspiring to achieve the best in Always aspiring to achieve the best in whatever one does.whatever one does.

• Justice and Equality.Justice and Equality.

SummarySummary • Islamic culture played an important and

undeniable role in advancing world civilization.

• Muslim carried the civilization torch during the “Dark Ages”; preserved and advanced the treasure of culture and knowledge for humanity.

• In all aspects of our daily lives, then – in our homes, offices and universities; in religion, philosophy, science and the arts – we are indebted to Muslim creativity, insight and scientific perseverance.