Shaykh Amjad M. Mohammed University of Bradford Islam & Science Two Worlds or One? Shaykh Amjad M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com 14th September 2011 University of Bradford

Pioneers of the Sciences

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com The Golden Age (1) Abbasid Period Centre – Baghdad 750-1350 CE Greek, Indian and Persian – Translation Stage Centre of ‘developed world’ – Christians, Jews and other faiths or no faith Developed, founded and invented Produced scientific enquiry/method Translated to Latin – 12th to 13th centuries 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com The Golden Age (2) Umayyad Period Centre – Cordoba in Andalusia (Qurtuba) 756-1031 CE Centre of Europe – Christians, Jews and others Developed, founded and invented and produced scientific enquiry/method Translated to Latin – 12th to 13th centuries which led to European Renaissance 13th to 15th century – ‘Reconquista’ Libraries and Research Centres destroyed 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

Scientific Method and Rationalism Inductive Method Specifics to general – “apples observed fall to the ground therefore all apples fall” Observations which bring about theory Greek ancient world pre-scientific Greeks systemised, generalised and theorised Muslims investigated, accumulated positive knowledge, carried out detailed and prolonged observation and conducted experimental enquiry 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Mathematics Developed number theory – mathematical and metaphysical aspects New methods of numerical computations Numerical series and decimal fractions Systemised science of algebra Developed solid and plane geometry, trigonometry Arabic numerals and the zero 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Agriculture Innovative methods of conserving and distributing water in Spain acequia, irrigation ditch; alberca, artificial pool; aljibe, cistern; noria, irrigating wheel or draw well; arcaduz, water conduit or bucket; azuda, Persian wheel; almatriche, canal; alcantarilla, bridge, sewer; atarjea, small drain; atanor, water pipe; alcorque, hollow round the base of a tree to hold water Crops introduced into Spain sugar-cane, rice, oranges, lemons, aubergines, artichokes, apricots and cotton 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Living Industry Textiles in wool, linen and silk Ceramic industry Manufacture of crystal Handicraft of fine metal, jewellery, ivory, wood and leather Book-binding 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Medicine Hunain ibn Ishaq (826-896CE) - Opthalmology Hospitals established – Bimaristans 9th century Al-Muqtadir (10th century)– Ijaza (Certification) before practising medicine 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Scientists (1) Jabir Ibn Haiyan (Geber) (721-803) ‘Father’ of chemistry, polymath Abd al-Malik Ibn Quraib al-Asmai (740-828) Zoology, botany, animal husbandry – Kitab al-ibl Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (Algorizm) (770-840) Mathematics, astronomy, geography, (algorithm, algebra, calculus) Hisab al-jabr wa al-muqabala – “what is easiest and most useful in arithmetic, such as men constantly require in cases of inheritance, legacies, partition, lawsuits, and trade, and in all their dealings with one another, or where the measuring of lands, the digging of canals, geometrical computations, and other objects of various sorts and kinds are concerned” (Rosen, 1831) Reduced linear and quadratic equations 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Scientists (2) Abd-al Rahman al-Sufi (Azophi) (903-986) Astronomy - Corrected several Ptolemy’s star list. Founded Andromeda Galaxy M31 seven hundred years before discovered in Europe Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) (936-1013) Surgery, medicine (father of modern surgery) 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Scientists (3) Abu Muhammad Abdallah Ibn al-Baitar (1188-1248) Pharmacy, botany Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta (1304-1369) Explorer/Traveller Abd al-Rahman Ibn Muhammad Ibn Khaldun (1332-1395) Sociology – first social scientist, philosophy of history, political science, geography, demography, historiography (al-Muqaddimah - Prolegomenon) Zheng He(1371-1435) Mohammed Targai Ulugh Beg (1393-1449) Astronomy 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Scientists (4) Abu Raihan al-Biruni (973-1048) Astronomy, mathematics. Determined the earth's circumference Abu Ali al-Hussain Ibn Abdallah Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (981-1037) Medicine, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya al-Zarqali (Arzachel) (1028-1087) Astronomy (invented astrolabe) Omar al-Khayyam (1044-1123) Mathematics, poetry Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (Algazel)(1058-1111) Sociology, theology, philosophy Abu Marwan Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar, Abumeron) (1091-1161) Surgery, medicine 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Did Islam bring about the study of the Sciences or were they scientists who happen to be Muslims? 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

Is the scientific approach inherent to Islam? Is science Islamic? 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Qur’an Many verses in which God describes Himself as al-alim Knowledge held in high esteem, ignorance viewed negatively Knowledge is a divine gift – favour Knowledge should be sought and subsequently taught 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Qur’an Supplication وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا (20:114) Lord increase me in knowledge وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَ And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people of sound knowledge. (30:22) قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ Say, are those who know equal to those who don’t know? Only those of intellect will understand (39:9) 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Qur’an 88:21 أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى الْإِبِلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ Do they not look at the camel, how they are created? وَإِلَى السَّمَاءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ And at the skies, the way they are raised? وَإِلَى الْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ And at the mountains, the way they are rooted and firm? وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ And at the earth, how it is spread out? 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Hadith Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of God Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people Knowledge is maintained only through teaching Two persons are never satisfied; one who is seeking knowledge and the other who seeks the world (materialism) 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

Sociology & Archaeology People of the Past Visiting of Ruins Travelling to learn Study of Peoples 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Medicine Saving and protecting life Every illness has a cure except death Seeking cures for illnesses Caring and tending for weak and sick 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Physical Sciences Astronomy Travel Prayer Times Geology Appreciation, understanding and utilisation Physics Chemistry 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Mathematics Inheritance Division of property and wealth Distances Purposes of Trade Time/Clocks 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

Islam’s Concept of Knowledge No division of secular and religious Division based on this world or Hereafter In some cases referred to as ‘ulum al-’ala – knowledge sought (goal) ‘ulum al-ala – knowledge utilised (tool) 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

Philosophy and Scholasticism Other than the ‘Church’ is not darkness and barbarism Harmonisation between faith and reason Not seen as contradictory but complimentary Science led to better understanding and appreciation of God Science provided better utilisation of resources and developed technology to bring ease to people 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com

A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com Conclusions Islam from its sources and early practice clearly appreciates and recognises the importance of seeking and imparting knowledge The understanding of the world and its inhabitants was an honoured task and pursuit Science led to a better appreciation of God and allowed the better utilisation of existing resources and the development of technology 22/02/2019 A. M. Mohammed www.amjadmohammed.com