ISLAMIC CULTURE &

CIVILIZATION
The Rise and Expansion of Islam

I. 570 C.E. –the birth of Prophet Muhammad

s.a.w.
II. 610 C.E. – the first revelation.
III.622 C.E. – the Hijra to Madinah – the
beginning of the expansion of Islam.
IV.The unification of Arabian peninsula under
Islam.
V. The expansion of Islam to North Africa,
Andalusia, Central Asia, Asia Minor, Balkans and
later to African continent, Indian sub-continent,
Southeast Asia.
Rise of Islamic Civilization

The later part of the 7th century and the beginning of

the 8th century C.E. - the emergence of Islamic
civilization.
Islamic civilization dominated the world of science
and learning for nearly 600 years.
The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 C.E.) and the rule
of Muslim Spain (755-1492 C.E.) – the “golden
age”.
Learning centers, e.g., Baghdad, Toledo, Seville –
for Muslims and non-Muslims.
“House of Wisdom” in Baghdad – a huge
academic center, library and translation center.
In Toledo, Muslim‟ works were translated from
Arabic into Latin especially in Astronomy,
Mathematics, Medicine, Chemistry, Botany,
Philosophy, etc.
Qur’anic Inducements to Study
and Explore
Qur‟an stimulates research, discovery, development
and improvement of the quality of life.
Encourages the understanding of natural laws. E.g:

“It is Allah Who alternates the Night and the Day:

verily in these things is an instructive example for
those who have vision!” (24:44)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study
and Explore
The very first word of the Qur‟an revealed to
Prophet Muhamnmad s.a.w. was Iqra‟, literally
reads:
“Proclaim! (or Read)in the name of your Lord and
Cherisher Who created.” (96:1)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study
and Explore
The Qur‟an considers it a sin not to use sense and
reason as legitimate means of searching for truth.
It admonishes those who make claims that are not
based on knowledge, and those who blindly
imitates their ancestors. E.g:

“For the worst beasts in the sight of Allah are the

deaf and the dumb, those who understand not.”
(8:22)
Qur’anic Inducements to Study
and Explore
Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. on the
attitude toward learning. E.g:

“Seeking knowledge is a mandatory duty on every

Muslim.”
“The priority of a scholar over a worshipper
[without understanding] is like the superiority of
the moon over other stars.”
“Scholars are the heirs of Prophets.”
Muslims’ Contributions to
Western Civilization
The European Renaissance was influenced
by Islamic civilization.
Europeans came to study at Muslim
universities esp. in Muslim‟s Spain.
Arabic – the language of scientific research
and advancement.
Muslim science reached Europe before the 14th
century (the beginning of Renaissance) – as early
as 12th century C.E.
Led to establishment of universities in Europe.
Muslims’ Contributions to
Western Civilization
Muslim‟s works, e.g. by Al-Razi (Rhases) and Ibn
Sina (Avicenna) on medicine became primary
medical reference in Europe for 600 years.
Medicine, surgery, eye problems, mental illness,
psychological therapy (e.g. music), symptoms of
diseases, digestion problem, etc.
Superiority of Muslim medicine over Western
medicine (because of religious restriction).
Astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, chemistry,
etc.
Muslims’ Contributions to
Western Civilization
Libraries, hospitals, observatories.
Often times, Muslim discoveries were translated
by Europeans who attributed such discoveries to
themselves or incorporated them in their works
without due credit.
Muslims’
Contributions
In various disciplines.
Related to Islamic teachings; devotional acts such
as prayers and pilgrimage; emphasis on hygiene
and cleanliness; the finding of kiblah.
It is unfortunate that most of the rich and
voluminous works of Muslim scholars was lost or
ruined during the assaults on the Muslim world.
Astronomy
One of the earliest sciences that attracted
the Muslims‟ attention – 3rd century C.E.
Discovered the sun‟s apogee (the points
farthest from the earth in the orbit of the moon).
Drew catalogues maps of visible stars (gave them
Arabic names).
Corrected the sun and moon table.
Fixed the length of the year.
Astronomy
The first to use pendulum to measure time.
The first to build observatories.
Fakhr Al-Din Al-Razi (13th century) – a theory of
the movement of stars.
Astronomy
Ibn Younus (11th century) invented the sun dial
(predicts sun spots, eclipses and appearance of
comets).
Abul-Wafa Al-Buzajani discovered the 3rd Lunar
inequality (irregularity of the moon‟s highest
latitudes) – later attributed to Danish astronomer
Tycho-Braho.
Ibrahim Al-Fazari, Al-Batani (Albategnius), Al-
Bairouni, Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd (Aventuez).
Chemistry
Jabir (8th century) discovered Nitric Acid
described
and the operations of
sublimination, distillation, filtration,
coagulation and
crystalization.
Abu Bakar Al-Razi (Rhases) (9th century) –
the first to describe the properties of Sulphuric
Acid.
Abu-Musa Al-Kufi (8th century) – his works
translated into Latin and French, some as late
as the 17th century.
English terms in chemistry originated from Arabic
terms; camphor, alcohol, elexir, syrup.
Mathematics

While the numerals are believed to have originated

in India, it was popularized by Muslims.
Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khawarizmi (9th
century), introduced system of symbols
representing nine numbers and the
inventedof „zero‟ (sifr) – 300 years before it was
concept
known in Europe (13the century).
Also the founder of Algebra (fr. Arabic word Al-
Jabr).
Mathematics

Thabit bin Qurrah (13th century) – a theory of

infinite numbers being part of another infinite
series of numbers.
Umar Khayyam (12th century) and Nasir Al-Din
Al-Tusi (13th century) – magnitudes expressed in
numbers.
Mathematics
Muslims – combined and re-organized numbers
into “Arabic numerals”, the first to develop
trigonometry in its post-Greek modern form and
introduce the use of the Sine and Co-sine,
invented the symbol to express any unknown
quantity (x).
Physics
Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham (Alhazen) (11th
century) – the greatest Muslim physicist (optics),
wrote “Al-Manazir”.
The science of optics and the inventions of
microscopes, telescopes and cameras are indebted
to him.
Muslims‟ invention of compass – for navigation.
Abdul-Rahman Al-Khozaini (9th century)in
“Mizan-ul-Hikmah” investigated on hydrostatics
and improvements in the use of water wheels.(e.g.
gravities of liquids and solids).
Ibn Sina
Al-Kindi
Ibn Rushd
Al-Farabi
Al-Khwarizmi
Medicine
Abul Qasim (late 11th and early 12th century) and
Ibn Rushd – works on surgery.
Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoan) – works on bronchotomy,
dislocations, fractures and treatment of skin
diseases.
Ibn Al-Nafees (13th century) – works on
psychopathalogy and psychological treatment and
circulatory system.
Mobile and permanent hospitals.
Hospitalization was free and universally available.
Pharmocology
Stemmed from a belief that every disease has its
antidote.
Encouraged Muslims to do scientific research in
search of an antidote –became an independent
science.
Ibn Al-Baytar, Rashid Al-Din Ibn Al-Suri, Jabir
Ibn Hayyan, Al-Khindi, Al-Razi and Al-Biruni.
Nitric acid, sulfuric acid, nitro-hydrochloric acid,
potassium, silver, oxide, mercury, etc.
History

Al-Tabari (9th century), Al-Mas‟oodi (10th

century), Ibn Al-Atheer (13th century), Ibn
Khaldun (14th century)
“Al-Muqaddima”.
Geography

Al-Idrisi (12th century) – the theory of earth is

round.
Caliph al-Ma‟moon (9th century) – ordered the
drawing of a large map of the world.
The work of Ibn Rushd (Aventuez) partly led to
the discovery of the Americas by Christopher
Columbus.
Al-Mas‟oodi (10th century) wrote an encyclopedia
arranged by geographical order.
Al-Khawarizimi, Abdul Lateef, Al-Yaqooti, Abul-
Hassan Al-Marakishi.
Reconstruction of the Oikumene (inhabited world)
Ancient Map from Herodotus circa 450 BCE
Political Science
Al-Farabi (10th century) wrote about a model city.
Al-Mawirdi (late 10th and early 11th century)
wrote “Al-Ahkam Al-Sultaniyyah” (Book of
the Rules of Power).
Art and Architecture

Diverse due to the fusion of various cultures

which came under Muslim rule. Yet, there is some
elements of unity based on Islamic teachings.
The influence of Muslim caligraphy, Islamic-style
mosaic.
Al-Hambra and the Cordova Mosque in Spain.
Al-
Hambra
Al-Hambra
Al-Hambra
Badshahi
Mosque

The Badshahi Masjid, literally the 'Royal Mosque', was built in

1674 by Aurangzeb. It is one of Lahore's best known landmarks,
and epitomizes the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era.
Taj Mahal

TAJ MAHAL
Built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan at Agra, India. Completed in 1648 C.E.
An "Elegy in Marble" or a "Dream" in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Islamic Calligraphy
Agriculture

Al-Awwam (12th century) described 585

plants and explained the cultivation of several
fruits.
Abul-Abbas Al-Nabati studied plants.
Improved the methods of irrigation, used
organic fertilizers, improved the breeds of cattle.
Introduced peaches, apricots, cotton, rice, banana,
sugar cane to the West.
Industry

Advancements in the manufacturing of

fabrics (silk, cotton, wood), leather, glass, steel.
Applied chemistry in making drugs and perfumes.
THANK YOU