Muslims Seek Knowledge By, Kellie O’Brien and Ava Demanes

Muhammad Could not read or write Inspired Muslims Boys and girls were educated Reading and writing Used the skills to read Quran Schools Religious instruction Islamic law study

Centers of Learning Baghdad Other cities also learning centers Established by Al-Mamun Greatest Muslim center of learning Libraries Attracted wealthy scholars Other cities also learning centers Scholars advanced in many fields Preserved learning of earlier civilizations and translated to Arabic

Philosophy and History Muslim Scholars Translated works of philosophers and texts Harmonize Greek ideas about reason Ibn Rushd Put all knowledge, except Quran to test of reason Writings on Aristotle translated Ibn Khaldun Set standards for study of history Stressed economics and socials structure Warned about common causes of error Urged historians to trust sources after investigation

Mathematics al-Khwarizmi Great Muslim mathematician Pioneered study of algebra Wrote a book translated to Latin Became standard math textbook Contributed to other fields Developed astronomical tables

Medicine Physicians and pharmacists Government set up hospitals Required to pass test Government set up hospitals Physicians traveled to rural areas Muhammad al-Razi Head physician at Baghdad’s chief hospital Wrote books on medicine Challenged accepted medical practices “Treat the mind as well as the body” Recovery was faster if doctors were hopeful

Medicine (cont.) Ibn Sina Other Muslims Arab pharmacists Persian physician Doctor by age 16 Canon on Medicine-encyclopedia on diagnosing and treating diseases Other Muslims -- developed way to treat cataracts Arab pharmacists -- 1st to mix bitter medicine with sweet syrup and gum Arabic texts later translated into Latin

Review Questions 1. Muhammad could not read or write but he inspired Muslims to learn. True or False 2. The greatest center of Muslim learning was Timbuktu. True or False 3. One of the greatest mathematicians was Ibn Khaldun. True or False 4. Some of the greatest Muslim advances were in philosophy, history,mathematics, and medicine. True or False 5. Muslims made important advances in medicine and public health with the knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. True or False 6. Ibn Sina was a famous Persian physician who was a doctor at the age of 16. True or False 7. Physicians and pharmacists had to pass a test before they could practice their professions. True or False