CONTRIBUTIONS OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS TO THE DEVELOPMENT

OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE

The word Islam has a two-fold meaning: peace, and submission to God. This submission requires

a fully conscious and willing effort to submit to the one Almighty God. One must consciously and

conscientiously give oneself to the service of Allah. This write seeks to discuss four contributions

OF Muslim scholars to the development physical science. It includes; astronomy, medicine,

geography and mathematics.

To start with, one of the contributions of Muslim scholars to the development of physical

science is in the field of astronomy. Muslims have always had a special interest in astronomy. The

moon and the sun are of vital importance in the daily life of every Muslim. By the moon, Muslims

determine the beginning and the end of the months in their lunar calendar. By the sun the Muslims

calculate the times for prayer and fasting. It is also by means of astronomy that Muslims can

determine the precise direction of the Qiblah, to face the Ka'bah in Makkah, during prayer. The

Qur'an contains many references to astronomy. These inspired the early Muslim scholars to study

the heavens. They integrated the earlier works of the Indians, Persians and Greeks into a new

mixture.

In addition, their contribution to geographical studies cannot be ignored. Muslim scholars

paid great attention to geography. In fact, the Muslims' great concern for geography originated

with their religion. The Qur'an encourages people to travel throughout the earth to see God's signs

and patterns everywhere. Muslims were also used to taking long journeys to conduct trade as well

as to make the Hajj and spread their religion. The far-flung Islamic empire enabled scholar-

explorers to compile large amounts of geographical and climatic information from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. Among the most famous names in the field of geography, even in the West, are Ibn

Khaldun and Ibn Batuta, renowned for their written accounts of their extensive explorations.

Also, Muslim scholars have made great contributions to the development of mathematics.

The Muslims invented the symbol for zero and they organized the numbers into the decimal

system. The first great Muslim mathematician, Al-Khawarizmi, invented the subject of algebra

(al-Jabr). Al-Khwarizmi’s work, in Latin translation, brought the Arabic numerals along with the

mathematics to Europe, through Spain.

Lastly, Muslim Scholars have contributed to the development of medicine. In Islam, the human

body is a source of appreciation, as it is created by Almighty Allah (God). How it functions, how

to keep it clean and safe, how to prevent diseases from attacking it or cure those diseases, have

been important issues for Muslims. Every major city in the Islamic world had a number of excellent

hospitals, some of them teaching hospitals, and many of them were specialized for particular

diseases, including mental and emotional.

In conclusion, this paper has examined four contributions of Muslim scholars to the

development of physical science. It can be deduced that Muslim scholars have contributed much

in the field of astronomy, geography, mathematics, medicine and related disciplines in the field of

physical science.
 ASSESS FOUR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHATE

The word 'Caliph' is the English form of the Arabic word 'Khalifa,' which is short for

Khalifatu Rasulil-lah. The latter expression means Successor to the Messenger of God, the Holy

Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Those Caliphs who truly followed in the Prophet's foot

steps are called 'The Rightly-Guided Caliphs' (Al-Khulafa-ur Rashidun in Arabic). They are the

first four Caliphs: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, Uthman and Ali. This essay seeks to discuss some

achievements of Abu Bakr as one of the caliphate.

To start with, Abu Bakr invested much of his wealth to support the spread of Islam. Being

a merchant, he placed much of his wealth in support of Islam. He bought a number of slaves and

set them free. He also gave the Prophet moral and financial support during the early stages of

Islam.

In addition, Abu Bakr helped in the spread of Islam to other parts of the world. He led Muslims on

pilgrimage and led congregational prayers. Abu Bakr pursued Muhammad’s expansionist policy

and sent Muslim forces into Syria and Iraq, initiating their eventual conquest. On his deathbed,

Abu Bakr appointed Umar b. al-Khattab as his successor.

Also, Caliph Abu Bakr played an instrumental role in the compilation of the Qur’an.

During the time of Caliph Abu Bakr, when 70 people who knew the Quran by heart (qari), were

killed in the Battle of Yamama, Umar ibn al-Khattab became concerned and appealed to Abu Bakr

in order to compile the Quran into a book. Abu Bakr formed a delegation of about under the

leadership of Zaid ibn Thabit, one of the leading scribes. came together in Umar's house and

collected all the materials on which verses from the Quran were written.
 Lastly, Abu Bakr crushed the rebellion that threatened the Muslim community and initiated

the expansion of the of the Islamic empire by destroying both the Persian and the Byzantine

empires under the leadership of Khalid.

From the above essay, it is obvious that Abu Bakr as the first Caliphate played a greater to

the growth and the expansion of Islam during and after the death of the Prophet as he supported

economically, politically, militarily and above all ensuring the compilation of the Qur’an.

FACTORS THAT FACILITATED THE DEVLOPEMENT OF THE SUFI

BROTHERHOOD IN THE MUSLIM WORLD.

The origin of Sufism is said to have existed from the beginning of the human creation, for wisdom

is the heritage of all; therefore, no one person can be said to be its profounder. The aim of this

essay is to discuss the factors that made it possible for the development of the Sufi brotherhood in

the Muslim world.

One of the factors that facilitated the development of the Sufi brotherhood in the Muslim

world was as a result of power struggle. The emergence of Sufism could be attributed to the

bitterness among some Muslim scholar and after the death of fourth Caliphate, Hazrat Ali. The

period witnessed intense power struggle, bloodshed and empowerment of the ruling class. Many

Ulama or scholars were also killed in the process. Some scholars who were inspired by the Prophet

and the early caliph decided to form a new spiritual group. They embraced poverty and dedicated

themselves in meditation to experience God.

In addition, differences on doctrinal matters facilitated the development of the Sufi brotherhood.

There were differences in doctrinal issues. Some considered the Shari'at (Islamic laws) and the

Haqiqah (Reality) as one and the same, while the Sufis maintained that the two are different from
each other. To understand the Shari 'at no special mental faculty is needed, but to realize the

Haqiqah a different and dedicated procedure is required, for which the Sufis have their own way

of doing. Broadly those are -'belief in God be complete, his relations with God be thorough,

complete and were intimate without the purpose of any worldly gain, experiencing the company

of God and believing that his existence is for Him alone'. This follows denial, giving up occupation,

accepting faqr and continuous meditation through set procedures.

Furthermore, the emergence of rationalism led to the development of the Sufi brotherhood.

Greek philosophy and sciences had become current among Muslims, and Islamic society was faced

with a storm of rationalism. The common people found their beliefs shaken to the core. Doubts

assailed them. To counteract these influences Sufi masters stressed the doctrine of ‘ishq

(passionate love) and the experiences attained through spiritual states of the heart.

In conclusion, by the end of the thirteenth century, Sufism had become a well-defined

science of spiritual awakening. Through experimentation and investigation, Shaykhs had

developed transferable techniques for self-refinement, the efficacy of which was confirmed by

numerous aspirants. The Sufi tariqahs had become the basis for a widespread mystical movement,

lending new life to humanity’s age-old spiritual quest.