ISLAM (MUSLIMS) CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE BY BABA ALI MUSTAPHA

       Today, Islamic communities should be pioneer in developing science and learning in various directions. Islamic Societies should also be centers of scientific and spiritual studies. History testifies that distinguished Islamic men of science have always made an influential contribution towards the development and expansion of the science throughout the world.

       Abu Nasr Muhammad Farabi (870-950 A.D), founder and perhaps the greatest representative of philosophical Islamic tradition, who upheld the independence of philosophy and considered it to the highest degree of wisdom, is among the pioneers who carried out this difficult task in his book “Ehya Al Qulum”. He wrote treatises in Arabic on Mathematics, Astronomy and Medicine, and is best known for his commentaries and interpretation of Aristotle. His works had a remarkable influence in Medieval Europe.

       Abu Reyhan Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni (11th century A.D), one of the most original thinkers and scientist of the world is another Islamic scholar who was a vanguard in various field of science. He made extensive studies in Philosophy, logic, history, pharmacology and geology. His “Encyclopedia of Astronomy” remained essential reading for centuries. He also accurately calculated longitudes and latitudes and advanced the theory that the earth rotates on its own axis, he measured the circumference of the earth and anticipated Einstein’s theory of relativity one thousand years ago. Many consider him the founder of geodesy.

       Analystic geometry and algebra blossomed in Islamic societies where fostered by such Muslim Scientist as Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarazmi (780-850 A.D) often referred to as the father of algebra. His work on algebra “Al Djabrawal-Moqabala” (Algebra and comparison) was translated into Latin a stimulant to Mathematics in Medieval Europe. The word algebra was derived from it. It means “the reunion of broken parts”.

       Abu Wafa Bozjani was another scientific genius of Islam and the founder of the velocities equation of Khwaja Nassir Tousis contribution to trigonometry. His book, ‘Al-Seklah-Ghita” was translated into Latin, French and English.

      Qiyath Al-Din Jaunshid Kashami, Abu Sahl Koohi and Ibn al- Hetham (965 -1039 A.D) had many achievements in Physics and optics. He tried to determine he rectilinear motion of light, the properties of shadow, and the use of lenses. In the refraction of light his outstanding contribution was the application of the rectangular velocities on the surface of the refraction six centuries before Isaac Newton. His main work on optic in Kitab al manazir and its Latin translation, influenced European scientist until the end of the 17th century.

      The Muslims contribution to the science of exploration and travelling was far more than even the Greeks. Suleiman Tajir was the foremost Muslim traveler to China. He had travelled there five centuries before Marco Polo. Marco Polo overland expedition to China took place in 1260-69. Muslim explorers and travelers had extensive oversea travels to China, India, Korea, Japan and overland journeys to Central Asia.

      Worldwide research and information by Muslim geographers were enjoyed by Europe viasicily. Tahqiq al-Hind (A history of India) by al-Biruni is a true example of authentic geographical research in which the country’s history geography, philosophy, science and social structure are discussed.

      Muslims did extensive research on Physics, and natural science. Abu Reyhan Biruni developed many theories on the weight of the atom and succeeded in finding special atomic weight for 18 valuable metals and non-metals. Prominent in Astrology and astronomy were Khaja Nassir Tousi and his student Outbeddin Shirzai and after them Ibn Al –Shater. The many principles of the hypothesis set forth by the famous polish astronomer Nicolasu Compernicus (1473-1543) known as the prime founder of the modern astronomy can be found in the School of Tousi and his student Shirazi.

      Muslim scholars and scientist were also famous for their research and study in the movement of planets, sunsport and other solar and lunar phenomena. Ibn al Hathem and Aboul Barekat Baghdadi were the first to prove the sphericity of the earth.

      The glorious achievements of Muslim astrologers included preparing a list of stars. During the Islamic era, Muslims had provided list of tables which contained the planets movement. Each table was called “Zij”. About 100 Zijs (tables) were provided by Muslim scientist and astrologers including Muhammad Fazari, Abu Abdullah Mohammad Batani, Abdulrahman Khazeni, Omar Khayyam Nershabari, Khwajen Nassir Tousi, Qiyatheddin Jamshid Ksahani, Qazi Zaden Rumi, Audul Salam Abu Ishaq Zarqam.

      Abul-Abdullah Banani set forth new hypothesis on astrology, algebra and trigonometry. He is known as the piolemy (the great Egyptian astronomer, Mathematician and geographer) of the world of Islam.

       Muslims had invented prease instrument for the observation of the stars and solar system. They took effective steps in natural science by setting up astronomical observation determining degrees of longitude or measuring the earth circumference. Auguste Kent and Herbert Spencer are generally referred to as the initiators of philosophical history and sociology whereas the first author who wrote on these subjects is the greats Islamic Scientist Ibn Khaldum. He had many original idea, among which was his new approach to understanding the study of history which led to study of the new subject of science of human society (Alm-al-Umran) sociology.

      As a founder of a science supplementary to history, he paved the way for famous sociologists such as Machiavelli, Bodin, Vico, Quetelet and especially Auguste Comte. Ibn Khaldum used many methods and he brought to light many of the factors which form the working tools of modern sociologist and historians.

      Islamic communities have always produced the most outstanding scientist and thinkers in on all field, and have thus contributed to the development of sciences throughout the world.

      The valuable works of such scholars and scientist as Mirdamad Astarabadi, Molla Sadra Shirazi, Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushed, Jaber Ibn Hayyan, Zakariya Razl, are the true manifestation of the spirit of research. The roles of these scientist should be considered in different field. Molla Sadra In the verification of transubstantial motion and intrinsic mobility. Abu Ali Sina; ‘s treaties on scientific psychologhy and philosophy. Jabir Ibn Hayyan and Zakariya Razi in chemistry and alchemy.

       The great Islamic scientist have served himanity in all field of science, including medicine. Razi’s famed treatise on smallpox and measles has been translated into Latin and Byzantine Greek. He greatly influenced Arab and Muslim doctors who followed him. Even today his knowledge and experience is used in treating the sick. He was the first to write on Typhoid fever and smallpox and their treatments. His book on medicine had a great impact on Westerner and were used as a primary reference in Europe until the Renaissance.

      Abu Ali Sina is another champion in medicine who was the first to distinguish between peritonitis and inflammation of lungs and hepatic ulcerations.

       Ibn al-Bur succeeded in discovering 1400 medical herbs were unknown in the Greeks.

      Muslim scientist shave made contributions to the development of pathology, pharmaceutical and all the empirical science. Western and European scientists and scholars achieved great progress through the authentic and valuable resources of Islamic Scholars (Ulama) both in the world of science and in literature.

      The brief account of the contribution of Muslim scientist and scholars to the development of science , culture and human civilizations illustrate the predominance of the school of Islam throughout the world. According to Hazrat - Muhammad (S.W.A) “Education in science is a religious duty for all Muslim men and women.”

       Today Islamic Universities and theological schools and centre should shoulder this responsibility and religious duty as a means to carry out a cultural revolution. They must take effective measures to expand Islamic culture to the farthiest corners of the globe. Muslims should endeavour to reach various field, and thus prove to the International Community that Islamic Universities and theological centre have been the credit of science and culture.

       Baba Ali Mustapha is of Ngrannam Ward near 7up depot, Bolori II, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.