Islamic History Articles: Islamic Science

Many articles on Islamic history have been written. However, in the Islamic history article that will be presented this time, it is not about the spread of Islam, but rather about the spread of Islamic knowledge to the West.

The history of Islam records that Islam has triumphed not only in expanding the area of ​​​​religion, but also in mastering the fields of science and technology. Various fields of study of science were born from Muslim scientists and are still used today.

It's just that the current understanding seems as if the science is centered in the West or Europe so that we are flocking to the West to acquire this knowledge.

From the beginning of the eighth century to the end of the fourteenth century, the Arabs were passionate about seeking knowledge and sharing it with other nations who came to acquire it. When the savages, such as Daylami, Seljuqs, Tartars, and Barbarians came into contact with Islamic civilization, they began to study and integrate Arab culture peacefully.

The greatest calamity suffered by the Muslims was during the raid of the Tartar hordes under Changiz Khan and Hulagu. The attack had met resistance from the Mamluk sultan of Egypt. 

Egypt and Syria will forever proclaim the majesty of Salahuddin, Ruknuddin Baibar, and Saifuddin Qala-un.

Spread to Europe

What is very interesting to know is how did Arab science and culture spread to Europe?

Previously, modern science has long been initiated by Muslim scientists. We know the names of the following Muslim scientists.

Ibn Sina who is known to be an expert in the field of medicine. In addition, Ibn Sina was also known as an expert in mathematics, logic, philosophy, astronomy, music and literature.

Ibn Ismail Al Jazari who pioneered the manufacture of robots in the 13th century. This was long before Leonardo da Vinci from Italy was able to design his robot in 1478.

Jabir bin Hayyan is known as a chemist. Jabir bin Hayyan was the first to discover Sulfuric Acid called Concentrated Sulfuric Acid. He has also discovered a substance called Sodium Hydroxide.

Al Khwarizmi is known as a mathematician. In addition, he is also known as an astronomer, also majoring in geography, music, and history.

Abbas Ibn Firnas is known as a scientist who laid the groundwork for airplanes. This was done long before the Wright brothers experimented with making airplanes.

Ibn Khaldun was the father of the world economy. He also laid the foundation for historiography and sociology.

The results of the studies and findings of Muslim scientists then spread to various regions, including Europe. Sicily and Spain, were the main sources of dispersal. From Sicily, Roger II, Frederick II, and Hohenstaufen brought Arab culture through Italy through the Alps, Lotharingia, Liege, Gotze, and Cologne which became centers of Arab knowledge.

While from Spain, Arab culture entered through the Pyrenees, then into Western France and Southwest France. When the Arabs ceased to produce scientific works, around the 13th century, Christian Europe was studying medicine, mathematics, astronomy, physics, and chemistry, through students returning from studies at the Universities of Córdoba, Toledo, Seville, and Granada.

Several books by Muslim scholars were translated into Hebrew or Latin. After speaking Hebrew or Latin, then it was translated into the languages ​​of various European nations.

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