Islamic Contribution to Science and Medicine

Islamic Love of KnowledgeIslamic Love of Knowledge

• Unlike the Christians, the Muslims did not burn libraries full of knowledge, they learned from them.

• It is mandated in their religious text to seek knowledge: – “Seek knowledge, even if it be in

China.”

• This mindset gradually snuck into the mindset of Europe, triggering the Renaissance.

• Unlike the Christians, the Muslims did not burn libraries full of knowledge, they learned from them.

• It is mandated in their religious text to seek knowledge: – “Seek knowledge, even if it be in

China.”

• This mindset gradually snuck into the mindset of Europe, triggering the Renaissance.

Astronomy

• The Astrolab: It was used to chart the precise time of sunrises and sunsets, and to determine the period for fasting during the month of Ramadan.

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

• Al-Biruni, discussed the possibility of the earth’s rotation on its own axis- a theory proven by Galileo 6 centuries later

Medicine• Muslims had many achievements

in field including:– The use of anesthesia in

surgery– The cauterizing of wounds.– The discovery that epidemics

arise from contagion through touch and air.

• Az-Zaharawi (died in 1013) was known in Europe as Chief of all surgeons. His books on medicine was used in Europe til the 16th century. His writings illustrate the use of surgical instruments.

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Al-Razi • C. 865- 930• Was the first to diagnose smallpox

and measles, to associate these diseases and others with human combination.

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

• Promoted phychotherapy and warned patient of changing doctors.

• Stressed importance of a balanced diet for good health

• Built a hospital in Baghdad

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Avicenna• 980-1037• Wrote a famous medical

encyclopedia in Arabic (Kanun) described every known disease; Al-Kanun became the basic medical text in the west for five centuries.

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

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

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Social Sciences• Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406)• Father of modern sociology• Did his work in Economy,

Anthropology and Political Science.

• Al-Muqaddamah or Introduction: His book on the “Science of Civilization” was the greatest in studying the nature of society, and he proved the cause and effect pattern of events

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Physics

• Ibn al Haytham (died 1039) “Alhazen”• Suggested the damming of the Nile River.• Explained the rainbow scientifically• Founder of optics.• Excellent studies on the reflection and refraction of

light.

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“From India to Spain, the brilliant civilization of Islam flourished. What was lost to Christendom at this time was not lost to civilization, but quite the contrary...To us it seems that West-European civilization is civilization, but this is a narrow view.”

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