Below we have discussed factors in the light of Islam that explain how strong leadership is indispensable for the light of knowledge to spread, without which the darkness of ignorance prevails. This is what Abbasids at Baghdad experienced and this is what the Islamic world is experiencing today.

Concept of the Sword & the Pen

A leader must be strong and forbearing. Being only strong will destroy those under them, being too much forbearing will provide room for others to exploit and disturb the rule. 14th century Islamic scholar, sociologist & historiographer Ibn Khaldun explains in the beginning of any dynasty there comes the use of sword before the use of pen. The use of sword is necessary because the sword helps to establish the power of its rulership and strengthens it. Once rulership is established and there is harmony to a large extent then the use of sword becomes minimum and the use of pen increases. The use of pen indicates intellectual and scientific activity and the influence of the learned in the society. Hence, we notice that the foundation for the cradle of scientific revolution at Dar Al Hikmah was laid by strong and pious Caliphs namely Al Mansur (CE 754 – 775), Al Mahdi (775 -785 CE), Al Rashid (CE 786 – 809), Al Mamun (CE 813 – 833). They provided necessary resources and support for initiating the project and safe and sound environment that brought thinkers, men of knowledge from near and far to the capital. They personally supervised the collection of manuscripts from around the world, written in Greek, Latin, and Persian in the fields of medicine, alchemy, physics, mathematics, astrology and other disciplines. The rulers not only supported the project but also took part in discussions and debates among the intelligentsia which displayed their personal interest. However, the use of pen declines when the situation of the dynasty begins weakening and the use of sword comes in to action again to protect the dynasty from crumbling but then it either succeeds in reviving itself against its opposition and the results are determined by how strong the opposition is.

Early Abbasid Caliphs vs Later Ones

Baghdad was the center of the Abbasid Empire. It was here that the cradle of modern education and sciences originated and impacted the entire globe for many centuries to come including ours. For instance, algorithm, a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, used by almost every computerized system on earth originates from teachings of famous Mathematician Al Khwarizmi, an Islamic scholar at Dar Al Hikmah. When rulers are strong and just in rulership, pious in their lifestyle and character, then much good results from it. Its recorded that Al Rashid possessed a good deal of learning and simplicity because his age was close to that of his forebears who also possessed those qualities. The time between him and his grandfather, Al Mansur (son of As Saffah, the first Abbasid ruler), was not a long one. He was young when Al Mansur died. Al Mansur possessed a good deal of learning and religion before he became caliph and continued to practice those high standards even afterwards. These rulers enjoyed company of Islamic scholars, listened to their advice and advised them as well. Imam Malik, one of the greatest Imams of Islamic law, was inspired by Al Mansur to write the Muwatta, one of the most authentic collections of prophetic hadith. Al Mamun, son of Al Rashid, enjoyed the company and even prayed salaah (5 times prayers) together with chief Qadi (justice) Yahya bin Akhtam, also a famous hadith transmitter.

Al Mansur's son, Al Mahdi, Al Rashid's father, inspired by Al Mansur’s personality, in his simplicity avoided use of the public treasury even to provide new clothes for his family. It is also recorded that earlier Caliphs displayed only light silver ornamentation on their belts, swords, bridles, and saddles, and that the first caliph to display golden apparel was Al Mutazz bin al Mutawakkil, the eighth caliph after Al Rashid.[1] The decline of the Abbasids began when pomp, show and waste of wealth became the lifestyle of rulers as opposed to providing justice, practicing simplicity, enjoying company of the learned men and fighting enemies. A major factor that assisted the Abbasids to make the project successful at Baghdad was the taxation policy. Due to the strong central government in Baghdad, its rulers were getting taxes from across the empire and had money to spend on translations and patronage of scholarship.[2]

Another major factor that determined the strength of the empire was the readiness of the caliphs to face and defend against enemies. The early Caliphs were strong enough to crush rebellions within the empire and lead armies into enemy territory and defeat them. The later caliphs, however did not share the same traits. As Saffah defeated the Chinese in war, Al Mansur is renown for successfully crushing rebellions and Harun Al Rashid led military expeditions into Byzantine territory, close to Constantinople. While Al Mustazhar, the 12th century Abbasid Caliph was helpless when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. The renowned Islamic Scholar Al Harawi traveled from Damascus to Baghdad to see the Caliph and encourage him to defend but he seemed powerless, the political power was under several Turkish Muslim dynasties. He was only a Caliph by name.[3] Al Yaqubi, early 9th century geographer visited Baghdad and said “It is the center of the world. Its people have good manners, resplendent faces and open minds that they excelled all others in learning and understanding, in literature, in comprehension, in expertise and in crafts.”[4] Comparing this with account of 13th century geographer Ibn Jubayr who visited Baghdad 35 years before Mongol invasion complained about the vanity of its people. “Strangers they despise,” he wrote, “and they show scorn and disdain to their inferiors, while the stories of the news of other men they belittle ... it is as if they are persuaded that God has no lands nor people save theirs.”[5] Ibn Jubayr’s revelations are worth attention because as Mongol invasion was nearer, Caliph Al Mustasim was busy in hunting and entertainment rather than state affairs. It is recorded that he sent requests to Badruddin Lulu, ruler of Mosul, to provide singers and musical instruments while Hulagu Khan, the Mongol leader, was collecting canons and other weapons to destroy walls of Baghdad. The people in Baghdad were given to pleasures and entertainment like their rulers and the religious scholars were busy with sectarian matters.[6] The people of Baghdad were strong and inspirational as long as the rulers were also courageous, pious and fair and their religious leaders courageous enough to rebuke the ruling class when required. When the rulers became engrossed in worldly pleasures, gave up the path of their predecessors then their affairs became corrupt and so was the state of the peoples and of the religious scholars under them. Hence the destruction of Baghdad happened as a result of what Allah ﷻ has said: (Al Quran 17:16) And when We intend to destroy a nation, We command its affluent (elite class: rulers, scholars, influential) to obey Allah ﷻ but they defiantly disobey therein (become corrupt); so the word comes into effect upon it (the nation) and We destroy it utterly.

Islamic Inspiration behind the House of Wisdom

It was at the Battle of Talas in 751 CE when the Abbasid army defeated the Chinese army of Tang Empire and captured several of its soldiers. These prisoners of war revealed the paper making technology which became the major precursor and proponent for the translation project at Baghdad.[7] With the use of latest technology Dar Al Hikmah became a success story in the contemporary world, the first knowledge city which produced many scientists and scholars and each made major contributions in their field revolutionizing the world of knowledge. This reminds us of Battle of Badr, in the aftermath of which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ decided to set free some prisoners on the condition that they educate 10 children on reading and writing and once they become proficient, the instructor would be set free.[8] It was several young children of Madinah that became writers and collectors of Prophetic hadith which significantly helped in the dissemination of Islamic knowledge after the Prophet’s passing away. What is more interesting to note that paper-technology, back then the primary instrument of dissemination of knowledge, like the internet is today, originated from China and it was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who is reported to have advised “Seek knowledge even if it is in China” [9] highlighting efforts to acquire knowledge. And it was the Prophet ﷺ who once prophesied looking at his Persian companion Salman Al Farsi (r.a) and said “If Faith were at (the place of) Ath-Thuraiya (pleiades, the highest star), even then some men from these people (i.e. Salman's folk) would attain it.”[10] An indication of the great number of Persian Islamic scholars and scientists in Islamic history, many of whom formed the chore of academics at Baghdad. It was at this that an Arab Scholar at Baghdad said “We Arabs have all the words but you Persians have all the ideas.”[11] The “words” here imply the rich language of the Quran, the classical Arabic.

Current Crisis of Knowledge & the Information Age

At the beginning of any dynasty sword helps to establish power and strengthen the rule and the use of pen dominates after the success of sword. Currently most parts of the Muslim world are experiencing political conflicts for last several decades: infighting among themselves and fighting foreign occupations. This in addition to the poor economic state of several Muslim countries caused mainly by their corrupt political class which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by stronger countries. $1 trillion dollar of corrupt wealth is transferred from developing countries (like Pakistan, Nigeria) and stashed abroad every year into Western countries due to weak international laws, something recently decried by Pakistani PM Imran Khan in UN General Assembly.[12] Due to these reasons we are also seeing a consistent process of brain drain from Muslim world into Western countries. Due to this we see many Muslim scientists and their achievements, if any, take place mainly in the West where lies centers of global learning. This is because economic and political order in the West is much more stable than the Muslim world. We recently heard some achievements made by Muslims in the West in medicine and technology fields: a Muslim doctor in US invents a ventilator that can serve up to 7 people when there was a shortage of ventilators during COVID-19[13], a Turkish doctor in Germany created the vaccine for COVID-19[14], a Pakistan origin electrical engineer in Texas developed a cancer cell detection method improving early cancer diagnosis[15], and a Muslim in Ireland was listed among top 1% of computer science technology in the world.[16] This reminds us of Nasiruddin Tusi, one of the best Persian Islamic scientist, provided an observatory under the patronage of Hulagu Khan, non-Muslim Mongol ruler, under whom he continued making achievements. While it is great to hear of some Muslims acquiring scientific achievements under non-Muslims, it’s also regrettable that unlike their predecessor, majority of them are dispersed throughout the world and not under one center like Dar Al Hikmah, where various talents came together. Unlike Nasiruddin many of them are not even well versed in religious knowledge, their worldview secular like non-Muslims or religion is only limited to their private sphere. Religious knowledge along with expertise in worldly sciences kept the Islamic scientists aware of the morals and ethics required in the usage of their learning, something very decisive for modern scientists. The Quran is God’s divine speech and like light of fire when applied towards worldly sciences lights them up, opening new venues of knowledge, and this is one of the meaning of: (Al Quran 24:35) Light upon Light! Allah guides whoever He wills to His Light. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. For Allah has perfect knowledge of each and everything.

With brain drain of scientific knowledge, we also notice improper and incorrect use of religious knowledge which despite being readily available in the age of information the true understanding of which has become very less among Muslims. This has much to do with widespread ignorance of the Deen (Islam) and in reference to this the Prophet ﷺ predicted “among the signs of the Hour knowledge shall be raised up, ignorance shall be rampant.”[17] And he also predicted the age of information and the lies and confusion that will accompany it: “Shortly before the Last Hour…. false witness will prevail, hiding the truth and widespread use of pen.”[18] As per Islamic scholars "widespread use of pen" refers to the digital era with information on our fingertips while “false witness” and “hiding the truth” entails the disinformation that accompanies it. Ignorance of the Deen in the age of information will provide many sources of learning Islam but very less correct understanding of it as also foretold by the Prophet ﷺ: “There will come a time in which there will be many readers and few Fuqaha (people with proper understanding of deen); knowledge will be taken away and there will be a lot of Harj” They asked “What is Harj” He said “Killing among you (infighting, civil wars). Then after that there will come a time when the Quran is read by many men, but it will not go further than their collarbones. Then after that will come a time when the disbelieving hypocrite, who joins others with Allah ﷻ, will dispute with the believer, using the same argument as him (i.e. using the book of Allah and the Prophetic words).”[19] – the “disbelieving hypocrite” are the online non-Muslims, ex-Muslims and pretending to be Muslims “experts” of Islam, skilled in arguments against the Muslims, employing primary sources (Quran and hadith) to defeat or at least confuse them in their faith. These people will appear at a time when there will be tons of readers (online) but very few people with understanding of their deen (fuqaha). Many will be tempted and accept new interpretations of Islam (“modern Islam” new "sufism" Quranists, rejecting hadith, sectarianism, Ahmadiyya etc.) and will fall prey to this confusion project. Such is clearly visible in the online world, and I have personally experienced this for many years now.

(Al Quran 94:5-6) Verily, with hardship comes ease - By 14th century the political authority of the Abbasids was replaced with the powerful Ottomans in the Islamic world and further scientific developments also took place under their authority. And so we expect that current pressing times will also replace the decadent rulership with stronger authorities who will bring a new age of development: (Al Quran 5:54) Allah will in time bring forth people whom He loves and who love Him...

References

[1] THE MUQADDIMAH, Abd Ar Rahman bin Muhammed ibn Khaldun, Translated by Franz Rosenthal, INTRODUCTION, The excellence of historiography. - An appreciation of the various approaches to history. - A glimpse at the different kinds of errors to which historians are liable. Something about why these errors occur

[2] The House of Wisdom: Baghdad’s Intellectual Powerhouse, Muslim Heritage, by Cem Nizamoglu Published 17th May 2016 - https://muslimheritage.com/house-of-wisdom/

[3] Revival: The Muslim Response to the Crusades | The Crusades: An Arab Perspective Ep2, Al Jazeera English -

[4] A TALE OF TWO CITIES AND THE ABBASID CALIPHATE 132 – 656/750 – 1258, (Prof. Dr.) Osman Sid-Ahmed Ismail AI-Bili, Director, D.H.R.C. University Of Qatar

[5] Travelers of Al-Andalus, Part 1: The Travel Writer Ibn Jubayr, AramcoWorld, Written by Daniel Grammatico and Louis Werner, January/February 2015 - https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/October-2016/Travelers-of-Al-Andalus-The-Travel-Writer-Ibn-Jub

[6] First Things First: For Inquiring Minds and Yearning Hearts, Baghdad, Khalid Baig, Open Mind Press (July 14, 2004)

[7] The Beginning of the Paper Industry, Muslim Heritage, by FSTC, Published on 10th January 2003 - https://muslimheritage.com/paper-industry/

[8] al-Mubarakpuri, Safi-ur-Rahman. 1996. Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar). Dar-us-Salam Publications.

[9] Hadith: The Prophet (s) said, “Seek knowledge even in China,” As Sunnah Foundation of America, Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad - http://sunnah.org/2016/03/28/hadith-the-prophet-s-said-seek-knowledge-even-in-china/

[10] Sahih Al Bukhari Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 420 – Sunnah.com

[11] Cem Nizamoglu, Muslim Heritage

[12] 'Stolen assets of developing countries must be returned,' PM Imran tells UN panel, Dawn News, Updated 24 Sep 2020 - https://www.dawn.com/news/1581386/stolen-assets-of-developing-countries-must-be-returned-pm-imran-tells-un-panel

[13] ‘Hero’: Pakistani-American doctor takes on ventilator shortages, Al Jazeera, By Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath, 15 Apr 2020 - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/15/hero-pakistani-american-doctor-takes-on-ventilator-shortages

[14] Turkish-Germans behind BioNTech and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, TRT World, 9 NOV 2020 - https://www.trtworld.com/life/turkish-germans-behind-biontech-and-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-41305

[15] Pakistani scientist develops device to diagnose cancer rapidly, The Express Tribune, February 16, 2016 - https://tribune.com.pk/story/1047852/pakistani-scientist-develops-device-to-diagnose-cancer-rapidly

[16] Pakistani lecturer ranked among world’s top 1% computer science researchers, The Express Tribune, December 05, 2020 - https://tribune.com.pk/story/2274782/pakistani-lecturer-ranked-among-worlds-top-1-computer-science-researchers

[17] Jami at-Tirmidhi 2205 – Sunnah.com

[18] Musnad Imam Ahmad - Hadith # 3870

[19] Recorded as Saheeh by Al-Haakim and Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Also narrated by Al-Tabaranee in Al-Awsat. It has corroborating reports in Bukhari & Muslim – al-Areefi, Dr. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahmaan. 2010. The End of the world - The Major and Minor Signs of the Hour. Riyadh: Darussalaam.

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One of the ways this tale is narrated is that when human beings in general, but white European men in particular managed to extend their vision beyond their limited being on to the vast recesses of the universe, that is when a new chapter in human history began. The telescope was invented. And so we were taught.

The Tale

The invention of the telescope changed humankind's perspective of the universe forever. It was probably inevitable that as glassmaking and lens-grinding techniques improved in the late 1500s, in Europe that someone would arrange convex and concave lenses in such a pattern that would bring distant objects near. Makes perfect sense. Just that the picture is incomplete. The existence of expertise in glass making and lens grinding goes well before Europe, and in a different culture- The Islamic World.

Without exception all texts in the English language report that the first person to apply for a patent for a telescope was Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey. In 1608, Lippershey laid claim to a device that could magnify objects three times. His telescope had a concave eyepiece aligned with a convex objective lens. One story goes that he got the idea for his design after observing two children in his shop holding up two lenses that made a distant weathervane appear close.

But the main figure who gets the big share of the credit of inventing the telescope is the famous Italian Astronomer, Galileo Galilei. Legend has it that news of the 'Dutch perspective glass' reached Galileo Galilei in June 1609, while he happened to be in Venice. In a matter of days, Galileo had designed his telescope without even setting his eyes on one. After making improvements to his initial design, Galileo presented his device to the Senate in Venice. Besides, Galileo is believed to have been the first human being to point a telescope towards the sky thus observing the craters and mountains on the moon and even the Milky Way. Galileo also discovered that Jupiter had moons and the sun has sunspots. [1]

Interestingly, it's not just restricted to the invention, but Galileo then went on to become the hero of the tale, the father of the Scientific Revolution and the first prophet of the modern scientific age. Even though most of his theories had precedents in the Islamic and Greek world. But collectively all this created a narrative that perfectly fit the scheme, the paradigm and the myth that were needed to define the Modern Western civilization as the culmination and perfection of all previous traditions that rendered the latter obsolete or at least primitive.

Just that this tale has an issue. That, it's just that. A tale !

The historical context

Sometimes a little bit of common sense along with some knowledge of the historical context can take one a long way in understanding past events. And so we summon it. As we mentioned earlier, European science did not develop in a vacuum. Rather, it drew massively from the Islamic world. So when it came to glass and lens making, Medieval Muslims had great expertise, along with the scientific breakthroughs they made in the fields of geometrical and physiological optics. Ibn al Haytham's books were well known in Europe and translated into Latin very early on. He is often mentioned in early western literature on the subject by Roger Bacon, Robert Grostette, Witelo and he influenced Galileo, Kepler and Newton. [2] Trade and import of glass products, lenses and other glass products flourished in Italy, Andalus and through Byzantium. [3] The beautiful stained glass windows in cathedrals across Europe are artifacts of the Islamic influence on European architecture. [4] Moreover, Astronomy was one of the few sciences that was developed in the early years of the Islamic civilization. Some even date the development of Astronomical sciences before the great translation movement, positing that the translation movement served as an aid for further research, rather than the initial impetus. [5]

Anomalies encountered in Ptolemy's astronomical models must have created the vacuum needed for the invention of an optical device that unveiled the celestial motion. Keeping all this in mind, it makes perfect sense that if a telescope was invented in the Muslim world, it would land up on the shores of Italy in some time.

Deconstructing the 'Galileo' myth

Without exception, all English texts on the subject, be it online articles, history of science papers or encyclopedias, attribute the telescope to either Lippershey or Galileo. This is such a widely disseminated myth that even children are subject to it, as textbooks around the world falsely attribute the invention of the telescope to Galileo, branding him the Father of Modern Science. An unbiased study of history shows otherwise.

So let's start with lenses. Scanning through history books on Islamic technology we find extensive mention of the Muslim expertise in lens making, even to the extent of discussing inventions of optical aids, spectacles and other observational instruments. Notable among these are the telescopic shaped observational instrument of Al Biruni [6], the sophisticated observational devices used in the Maragha observatory that were recreated in Europe. [7] Even spectacles were invented as early as in the 11th century in the Muslim world, centuries before they showed up in Europe. [8]

Going from this prowess at designing optical instruments to a fully functional telescope should not be a big leap. Even common sense says that if people are already proficient with creating visual instruments, why should it take 700 years and someone from a different culture to combine lenses in a manner that magnifies far off objects? And so our intuition is right.

Even before Biruni and Ibn al Haytham, another Muslim scientist had already paved the way for the world's first telescope. Welcome Abul Hasan Ibn Ishaq.

The Muslim who invented the Telescope, centuries before Galileo.

Abul Hasan Ibn Ishaq (d. 890), though being a Muslim himself, originally came from a Christian family in Baghdad and was taught several languages such as Greek, Arabic, Aramaic and middle Syriac. He started off cutting glass and working on lenses and suffered weak vision due to staying up late and writing texts and results of experiments. He was one of the translators during the rise of the Dar ul Hikmah movement in which the Abbasids had him and others translating works and used to be paid in gold whatever the weight was of the books he translated. Translators in that time were paid amounts even more than NBA and football athletes today.

Being good with lenses, he created the world's first bifocals. So by the 9th century eye glasses were already invented in the Muslim world. Bifocals are eye glasses with two optical powers. On the contrary, it is widely held that spectacles were invented in 14th Century Europe and Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocals. Both of which are historically incorrect. Then Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq went on to arrange lenses in such a manner that could bring celestial objects close. He succeeded in producing the world's first telescope as early as in the 9th Century, which is seven centuries before Galileo. [9] Undoubtedly the Islamic civilization was centuries ahead of its time. After observing the solar system through his new invention, he then went on to share his breakthrough with his patron, the Abbasid Caliph, Harun al Rashid. The Caliph, impressed with the device, put it to military use. Thus, Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq's telescope found use as binoculars.

Now some discussion on the original Arabic source that documents Abul Hasan's breakthrough.

Arabic historical sources- Colonial myth breakers.

There is a massive difference between European texts written before the Crusades and after. The ones written before tend to contain sufficient references back to Islamic sources. But texts during and post Crusades sparingly cite Muslim sources. Is it because of the absurdity of fighting the same people you draw your scientific knowledge from? This trend kept up till the Colonial period. How can you possibly colonize a people and still admit to the strong influence of their science and technology on your own culture? Those two don't fit, hence one has to go. We all know which one was sacrificed. Hence, this was time of the earliest Orientalist texts that launched the most scathing intellectual attacks on not only the religion of Islam, but also the blessed and holy character of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the rich intellectual and scientific tradition his followers produced.

Things have changed in the last few decades with the growing interest in studying the history of Islamic Science. But it's still not enough to do justice to the rich scientific tradition that flourished in the Medieval Islamic world.

According to Professor Salim al Hassani, there are five million manuscripts from the Islamic Golden Age in libraries around the world, out of which only fifty thousand have been studied. Only time will tell what new information will be brought to the fore, thus enhancing our understanding of the history of science and the transfer of technology from the Muslim world to Europe. [10]

Interestingly, the Arabic historical source from which we have derived this useful information about Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq, does not come under the category of veiled manuscripts lying in library shelves waiting to be explored. But from a regular history work. That does tell us how underdeveloped this field is and the attention it requires from scholars and historians, especially Arabic speaking scholarship who would go back to original sources to study the history of Islamic science from the lens of the people who witnessed this period.

The source which refers to Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq's telescope and bifocals is Tarikh Madinat al Salaam written by Sunni scholar, historian, narrator and collector of Hadith, Khatib al Baghdadi. In his 23 volume historical survey on the Medieval Metropolis- Baghdad or Dar us Salam as it was named, he dwells into interesting details on the architecture, design, culture and people of Baghdad at the time.

I am very grateful to Shaykh Abu Ja'far al Hanbali for painstakingly reading through Arabic historical texts and providing us with this eye opening piece of information

How does it matter? Why the boxing match?

A clarification is required here, as this revision of the history of science must not be misunderstood as a mere exercise to determine which culture was more advanced and had a prior claim to the invention. Neither should it be misinterpreted as a clash of civilizations, the ‘Us versus Them’ mentality, usually employed by Western academia in the domain of history. Rather an amendment of this negative ideology is intended.

We live in a world where science has become the hallmark of knowledge and progress. Many thinkers highlight achievements made in their respective cultures with a supremacist mindset. This unhealthy practice was an integral part of the colonial rhetoric, and unfortunately still continues and is a true manifestation of the 'Us vs Them' mindset. A cropped picture of the history of science, where it is presented as a sole proprietorship of the white European man, is not only incorrect and misleading but it represents the subtle forms of racism, sexism and chauvinism that promote violence and abuse at the international level and among individuals. Additionally, it is unhealthy and detrimental for the development of science as well.

Consequently, I have not discussed the development of the telescope in the Muslim world to prove that the Islamic culture was superior to other cultures on account of it's anticipation of modern technology. What made Islam great is not to be viewed from a narrow lens of science. What made Islam great is not the science and inventions that arose, but the culture of learning and devotion and the civilization of ethics, equality and coexistence that its adherents sought to produce. So then why do we need a reconstruction and revision of the history of science at all?

Firstly, it is important to understand the history of science. Plainly for the sake of understanding the history of inventions that shaped our understanding of the world.

Secondly, it would benefit the development of science globally. Its is my opinion that introducing history of science as an elective course in the curriculum for all science related subjects studied at university level, at least in Muslim institutes, would be a beneficial initiative. This way students would get a richer understanding of science as an ever developing and ever revising discipline, and not an absolute claim over reality. Moreover, this would lead to an increase in scientific creativity and reduce the 'Islam vs Science' tension by the formulation of sound Islamic responses to chalenges posed by Evolution AI, Quantum Mechanics, by a thorough survey of how the past Muslim scholars developed different sciences and how they dealt with the road blocks encountered in the combined study involving reason and revelation.

Lastly, it is high time we peel off the colonial supremacist ideology that defiles curriculums around the world. The world has seen enough wars, annexations and abuse of power that owes much to this ideology. The only way to combat this ideology is through knowledge and loads of it.

References

[1] Palmieri, Paolo (2001). "Galileo and the discovery of the phases of Venus". Journal for the History of Astronomy.

[2] Authier, André (2013), "3: The Dual Nature of Light", Early Days of X-ray Crystallography, Oxford University Press,

[3] http://www.history-science-technology.com/articles/articles%207.html

[4] https://www.1001inventions.com/feature/glass/

[5] Saliba, George (2007), Islamic Science and the making of the European Renaissance, Pg 15-19.

[6] https://muslimheritage.com/birunis-telescopic-shape-instrument/

[7] Suhayl: International Journal for the History of the Exact and Natural Sciences in Islamic Civilization, Vol. 12 (2013), pp. 45-179.

[8] https://muslimheritage.com/invention-spectacles-east-and-west/

[9] Al-Baghdadi, Ahmad Al-Khatib, Tarikh Madinat is-Salam, vol.1, pp. 292-436, Dar ul-Maghrib il-Islamic, Beirut, 1422 (AD 2002)

[10] https://muslimheritage.com/interview-prof-salim-al-hassani/

The emphasis on experimental and observational medicine.

The Hospital becomes an important public institution.

Healthcare becomes a truly noble, philanthropic practice.

Experimental approach

If there is one thing that sets Islamic Science apart from science developed in other civilizations- it is the Muslim scientists emphasized on observation and experimentation. The question is why would they do that?

Take the case of Ibn Nafis, a 13th century Muslim Physician, who was a Shafi'i Jurist and a Hadith scholar as well, he is the first to discover the minor circulation of the blood.

How did he do that? He studied the ancient Greek physician Galen' s theory that blood flows between the right and left ventricles through holes in the walls of the heart and put it to the test of observation. He concluded that the great Greek Physician was wrong and that blood reaches the left ventricle through the lungs, thus providing the first explanation of the minor circulation of blood, 300 years before William Harvey.

Another example comes from the 12th century Physician, Abd alLatif al Baghdadi. He wrote a description of a famine that occurred in Egypt in the 1200's. And after examining a large number of skeletons, asking other people to conduct their own independent examinations, he arrived at the conclusion that Galen's description of the bones of the lower jaw was erroneous.

Demonstrating the Muslim approach of questioning great scientists and their theories on the basis of experimental examination.

The big question is why are Muslim Scientists emphasizing on observation and experimentation? This is the central pillar of Modern science, and what is it that inspired the Muslim scientists to become the founders of this approach?

The answer is simple: Muslim scientists of the Golden Age for the most part were even religious scholars as well. And Islamic science developed based on the general Islamic and Quranic worldview of the Muslims of that era. The Quran almost on every page directs the reader to observe and contemplate on nature. Throughout the Quran, Human observation of nature is preferred numerously over hypothetical theories that people hold on to.

Allah says in the Quran: "Travel through the earth and observe how He began creation?"(29:20) or He says,

“Indeed in the creation of the universe and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are Signs for those who understand”. (3:190)

What are signs? These are things to be observed, these are things to be seen.

This Quranic emphasis on careful observation of physical phenomena led Muslim Scientists to lay down the principles of what we now call Modern science.

As Muzaffar Iqbal sums it up well:

"It was the Quran's urgent invitation to act that provided the earliest stimulus for reflection on nature. The Quran contained a large number of verses that called attention to the harmony, symmetry and order present in the natural world. This invitation to reflect on nature was such an insistent theme of the Quran that no one could ignore it, not even those who did not believe in its message. One cannot overemphasize the central position that the Quran holds in the development of the Islamic Scientific tradition”.

The advent of Hospitals (Bimaristans)

Medicine was one the first few sciences, along with Astronomy that developed very early on, in the very lifetime of the Prophet (saw). A new kind of medicine emerged known as “prophetic medicine”. a collection of hadith that outlined general hygienic practices,recommended treatments for some diseases,and some rules related to eating, drinking, and other activities. The famous scholar Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya compiled all of these in his book -Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine) that is the primary source of Islamic homeopathy.

But one of the greatest achievements of Islam and its significant contributions to the modern world is the Hospital. The United States National Library of Medicine, credits the institution of a hospital as being an invention of the Islamic civilization. [reference] But did you know that the first hospital in Islam was the mobile hospital, located in a tent during the Battle of Khandaq (627 CE) set up by the instruction of the Prophet himself (saw).

Quickly the idea of mobile hospitals evolved into fully functional hospitals in all big cities of the Muslim world. Between the 9th and 13th centuries five hospitals were built in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, Rayy, Mecca and Medina . These were called Bimaristans. Resembling the modern hospital complex, these Bimaristans were the first to require medical diplomas to license doctors. Medical students were given rigorous training both in theory and practice by the chief physician of the Bimaristan and only after passing the final exam would receive a licence to practice medicine. It was during this period that specializations began to emerge, such as general practitioners, surgeons, ophthalmologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists, dentists and even something niche like Biomedical Engineering. Al Zahrawi was the first Biomedical Engineer.

The Bimaristans had separate wards for different diseases, a library for doctors a pharmacy and a laboratory within the building. Every department had an officer-in-charge and a supervising specialist. By the 10th century laws were passed to keep hospitals open 24 hours a day. Baghdad was also known to have a separate hospital for convicts.

Now how did the concept of a hospital go on to become the global necessity it is now. It was not until the 13th Century, that Europe finally began to adopt the Islamic Hospital .

In the words of Historian George Sarton, “We have reason to believe that when, during the crusades, Europe at last began to establish hospitals, they were inspired by the Arabs of the Near East. The first hospital in Paris, was founded by Louis IX after his return from the Crusade of 1254-1260”.

The Islamic Hospital- A Philanthropic Institution

But while the 'hospital may be a Muslim invention, there is a big difference between the Islamic hospital and the modern hospital and healthcare in general. The Islamic hospitals or Bimaristans were 100% free, complete philanthropic institutions. Even though the budgets were high for the maintenance of these complexes, the salaries of the doctors. All of that was taken care of by state endowments. On the contrary modern healthcare is a big money making machine.

So right now a simple procedure like extracting a tooth in the US may cost on an average $700. In the Golden age of Islam, complicated treatments like removing tumors, gynaecology and treatment of contagious diseases was done for no cost.

All this because the Prophet (saw) in many of his sayings emphasized that care for the patient was one of the most noble acts in Islam and the alleviation of any physical harm from people was a deed most beloved to Allah.

Now you Know

The Quran and the Hadith provided the necessary stimulus for a great revolution in Medical Science in the Muslim world.

The Quran emphasized on 'observation' of nature which led Muslim scientists to pioneer clinical and experimental medicine.

Experimentation and observation is the central pillar of modern science, which was a Muslim/Quranic contribution.

Hospitals were a Muslim invention. They were called Bimaristans.

These Bimaristans greatly resemble modern hospitals in their functionality.

Inspired by Prophet Muhammad's teachings, Islamic hospitals were complete philanthropic institutions that charged no fee.

Now, contrary to popular belief, human thought is not original, that is to say when we humans ‘think’ the origin of our thought is not from ourselves, but from an external source. Just as creation cannot bring itself from ‘nothing’ into ‘something’, as it comes from a source divine, Almighty Allah, so too does the ‘thinking’ come from Allah. He it is who has created the intellect with which to think, and the seed implanted of pure thought comes from Him. This seed can be intercepted by dark forces and influences to make them impure, resulting in evil thoughts, but regardless of which, human thinking always comes from an external source. We did not invent the intellect, and therefore, we did not invent the thought. When we think, we can only base our thoughts on that which either already exists in form, or in the knowledge of the form.

Part of Philosophy is the study of what I like to call the ‘hive mind’, the collective thinking of a people, a group of people, nation, culture, civilization. When we examine Islamic Civilization in the broader sense, we see a trend of collective thinking that begins from a root of ignorance, until divine inspiration is delivered. The Revelation sent down by Allah through His beloved messenger is responsible for bringing about this change. And while the essence of philosophical thinking was evidently present, especially when it came to intellectual comprehension via contemplation and reasoning, there was no need for philosophy as a subject in the early decades of Islam for two main reasons.

That the Holy Prophet was alive and active among his companions. As he received revelation (knowledge) he not only relayed it to the people as his entitled duty of a messenger and a Nabi, but he also explained and elaborated that knowledge, as a teacher. This stilled the need for deliberation over the knowledge received, and while philosophy was applied in the thinking and contemplation, for the sake of understanding, it was not ‘studied’ as a subject.

Much of the knowledge delivered was yet contained within a specific culture, its people, and time. Without any significant influence, circumstantial or otherwise, all the knowledge was for the large part comprehensible. Yet, as Islamic civilization approached the close of the Khilafah age, moving into the empirical age, and the population grew not only in size but spread out across the land encompassing other cultures and their inherent philosophies, there began the period of early Islamic scholars who were expanding on their knowledge.

As this age moved into the next, and Islam spread across the lands, it became necessary to not only acknowledge the inherent philosophies of other cultures and civilizations, but to also prepare a collective thesis with which to counter and reason with doctrines that were in opposition of the Islamic way of life. And thus came the scholastics of the ‘Golden Age’, where sciences were studied primarily under the umbrella of Islamic Philosophy, as the Qur’an itself served its monumental role of explaining all things to a people who could think, ponder, reflect, and contemplate. These included men such as Al-Ghazzali, Al-Kindi, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Sina, Ibn Al-Arabi, Ar-Razi, Al-Farabi, Al-Abhari, and numerous others, may Allah be pleased with them all.

Now, in this modern age, particularly as we crossed over the last three or so centuries, Islamic civilization has been facing a steady and rather irrecoverable decline against a western might due to the simple fact that we as Muslims are unable to counter the ideological doctrines of the west. Historians who base their scholarship only on rational facts claim that Islamic Civilization faced ‘heavy blows’ from the Mongols in the east as well as the Europeans in the west, but they ever fail in recognizing that the Mongols and the Europeans were only using bows, arrows, and swords to attack. That is to say, the onslaught was physical, not ideological. Even during these times of great siege, Islamic Scholarship saw a monumental rise chiefly because the collective philosophy was not only sound and challenging to the ‘godless-world’, but was firmly grounded in religion.

The recent decline has then been attested to an ideological attack from the west, which grounds its philosophy in materialism. The materialistic allure arrived and settled with an adamant goal to turn the populous away from their spiritual philosophies by infiltrating our academics with secularistic thought. What has resulted over the decades has been a confounded philosophy which foremost led Muslims to extremities of innovative thinking, while at the same time facing heavy opposition from the traditionalistic thinking.

Philosophy as an academic subject in the Muslim world was hence not only frowned upon but faced heavy objection via continual negative propagation, while the inherent philosophical thinking slowly diminished. What we find in our present-day is a heavy emphasis on strict theological academics, no questions asked, thus impairing the inherent human capacity to intellectually reason for the sake of understanding.

The wave upon wave of western philosophy has continued, and still continues this day, to inject our society with an endless series of subjective and quantitative philosophies in the form of ‘Isms’. Fundamentalism, Islamism, Extremism, Hegelianism, Marxism, Communism, Capitalism, the list goes on, all under the umbrella of Secularism, by virtue of which, anyone who adheres to any form of Ism becomes an ‘ist’. Fundamentalist, Islamist, Extremist, Communist, and so on and so forth, to a Secularist.

Essentially, when we examine the big picture, we find the world divided into two, which are the two groups eventually encompassing the end of days, as we will see when we get to Eschatology. These two groups at the present state are the Religionists and the Secularists, which will eventually become either Believers or Disbelievers towards the end of days.

The reason why I have elaborated everything above is to emphasize the importance of Islamic Philosophy for the Muslim, because unwarily so many will fall under either extreme of either group, regardless of their rank in Imaan. It is not judgmental upon anyone’s Imaan, but it is vital to establish Islamic thought, intellectually so, as a defense against the western ideological attack upon the Muslim world, particularly in an age where falsehood is often confounded for truth.

That being said, yes, I agree that philosophy is a dangerous subject, particularly in the wrong hands, but I also argue that it is only dangerous if incorrectly studied. Just like medicine can be poisonous if incorrectly administered. Any other academic subject can be just as dangerous when incorrectly studied. Even theological subjects such as Qur’anic Science, or Fiqh, can become dangerous if not studied with proper methodology and structure. As philosophy is the ‘Love of Wisdom’, so too must the believer affirm that the pursuit of Wisdom, of Hikmah, is not only part and parcel of religion but is obligatory upon every Muslim to not only attain, but also apply.

As a subject, Islamic philosophy is given the term Falsafa فلسفة in Arabic, and this applies to the scholar who is well aware of his study and is in control over his intellectual boundaries and limits. But to us, our view of Islamic philosophy is not Falsafa فلسفة. Our view is the view of those who seek knowledge and wisdom for the love of knowledge and wisdom, and hence the Love of our Creator who has bestowed upon us knowledge and wisdom. Ours is to pursue the essence of philosophy as a Love for Wisdom, محبة الحكمة.

On the very last day, as our time together was coming to an end, I asked him one final question.

"Sheikh, I've learned a whole lot from spending time with you these past few days. But if there's only one thing you could leave me with, what would it be?"

Without hesitating, he said "That's an easy one." (I will paraphrase a little, of course).

"We often busy ourselves with the learning of different things. Everything has its due place of course. But nothing, absolutely nothing matters more than the Quran.

In fact, I would go as far as saying that if you're not reading the Quran cover to cover every single month as the bare minimum - then don't do anything else UNTIL you get that habit covered. That is the key to all things, the bedrock, the foundation.

Once you've mastered that routine - and ONLY when you've mastered that, the next stage is to understand the methodology for understanding the Quran, and how to use it to connect the dots.

These two core fundamentals will provide the framework to truly understanding your purpose, the world we live in and the path to God. Everything else will fall in to place."

I found it quite profound in its sheer simplicity. Here was a world-renowned orator, respected scholar and prolific author who had a deep knowledge of many diverse areas. But he acknowledged that without the depth of understanding the Quran properly, no other philosophy, ideology or perspective will ever be able to give you the same outlook, the same insights, the same wisdom.

It does make sense, when you look at it. The power of Quran is such that the benefits compound over time, making your mind sharper, your heart softer and instilling more and more light within you.

The first is the discipline it cultivates. Reading it is not easy. But how can you consider yourself a serious student of knowledge, without constantly exercising this muscle? Like any athlete needs to have a certain level of fitness before competing, your ability to read the Quran must be nurtured with extensive daily practice.

The second is the immense barakah contained within it. After all, if the Quran is a shifa for mankind, what effect do you think the reciting of it will have on our hearts, our bodies and especially our time?

Most importantly, is that within it, contains the answers to all things. If you want to understand anything - whether it is physics, geopolitics, economics, language, law - the understanding you have when it comes from the lens of the Quran, as opposed to the secular perspective we may ordinarily learn simply cannot be compared.

The Quran says:

If all the trees on earth were pens, and the ocean were ink, replenished by seven more oceans, the writing of Allah's Words would not be exhausted; surely Allah is Mighty Wise. Quran; 31:27

This shows us how much the Quran has got to tell us. It means that contained within this concise Book is the constant flow of knowledge, it will continue to give and give - even if the world tried to rival it with all its might, it would get nowhere near.

We have revealed to you the Book (i.e. the Quran) as an explanation of ALL things, a guide, a mercy, and good news for those who ˹fully˺ submit. Quran; 16:89

This means it is timeless, flawless and will always be a book that is relevant to understand the world and times we live in.

What I don't understand, is why the Qu’ran or this ayah is not used in such a manner, today?

When the Book was in the hands of a few, they conquered the masses.

But today, it’s in the hands of the masses, but they’ve been conquered by the few.

The reason for this is simply that we have separated it from everyday life. We turned away from what made us strong.

Once upon a time, the Qur’an was central to Muslim life, and it inspired new discoveries in science, led to world exploration and set out the ethical rules for trade between merchants - amongst others - all at a time where the Muslims prospered. They held on to the Book above all else.

Today, sadly, we look everywhere except within Islam. The Quran is merely used as a book of spirituality - but by doing so, we dilute or even negate the power and purpose of why this Book was sent down to us - and consequently dilute our own power and potential.

Can we go back to the Quran and learn what it can tell us about our own world - across subjects as diverse as law, economy, education, science and history?

The final aspect is the trustworthiness of information out there. We learn from Edward Said's Orientalism much of what we read is soaked in a heavily Western-biased world view, which misrepresents and whitewashes history.

How much of what we learn in schools or online is actually impartial or 100% true?

The first ayat of Surah al Kahf, translates as:

“Praise belongs to Allah who has sent down the Book to His servant, and allowed no crookedness in it”

No crookedness — i.e. nothing false at all. It's completely straight down the line.

After all, this is a Book which Allah has vowed to protect until the end of time. If there is something you know is guaranteed to be accurate and correct — then we must use this as our measure! Therefore if we see or read something that is not consistent (or contradicts) with the Qur’an — it is a sure fire sign that it is invalid and inaccurate and incorrect. This will help us battle the splurge of fake news and deception that surrounds us today.

Have you ever felt travel sick? The cause of car or sea sickness is when the ears send a message to the brain, saying something isn’t right (and balanced), but the message the eyes send to the brain tells it that everything is fine. So these conflicting messages causes the brain to be confused and subsequently vomit. What cures sea sickness is being on a completely flat, straight surface (where you can see the horizon, for example) again where the confusion can be eradicated.

The Qu’ran is that very thing which provides utmost clarity and keeps away confusion.

In the West, we champion stoicism, zen buddhism and other things that help people tap into a more spiritual paradigm. These are simply ancient philosophies repackaged into a way which aids modern problems. At KNOW we believe Quranic education is universal, more powerful than any of these philosophies and is what we must turn to to solve all the problems of the world.

One of the ways this tale is narrated is that when human beings in general, but white European men in particular managed to extend their vision beyond their limited being on to the vast recesses of the universe, that is when a new chapter in human history began. This is the time that saw the invention of the telescope.

The tale

The invention of the telescope changed humankind's perspective of the universe forever. It was probably inevitable that as glassmaking and lens-grinding techniques improved in the late 1500s, in Europe that someone would arrange convex and concave lenses in such a pattern that would bring distant objects near. Makes perfect sense. Just that the picture is incomplete. The existence of expertise in glass making and lens grinding goes well before Europe, and in a different culture- The Islamic World.

Without exception all texts in the English language report that the first person to apply for a patent for a telescope was Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey (or Lipperhey). In 1608, Lippershey laid claim to a device that could magnify objects three times. His telescope had a concave eyepiece aligned with a convex objective lens. One story goes that he got the idea for his design after observing two children in his shop holding up two lenses that made a distant weathervane appear close.

But the main figure who gets the big share of the credit of inventing the telescope is the famous Italian Astronomer, Galileo Galilei. Legend has it that news of the 'Dutch perspective glass' reached Galileo Galilei in June 1609, while he happened to be in Venice. In a matter of days, Galileo had designed his telescope without even setting his eyes on one. After making improvements to his initial design, Galileo presented his device to the Senate in Venice. Besides, Galileo is believed to have been the first human being to point a telescope towards the sky thus making out the craters and mountains on the moon and even observing the Milky Way. Galileo also discovered that Jupiter had its moons and the sun has sunspots. [1]

But the problem is that It's not just restricted to the invention, but Galileo then went on to become the hero of the tale, the Father of the Scientific Revolution and the first prophet of the modern scientific age. Even though most of his theories had precedents in the Islamic and Greek world. But collectively all this, created a narrative that perfectly fit the scheme, the paradigm and the myth that were needed to define the Modern Western civilization as the culmination and perfection of all previous traditions that rendered previous traditions obsolete or at least primitive. Just that this tale has an issue. That, it's just that. A tale !

The historical context

Sometimes a little bit of common sense along with some knowledge of the historical context can take one a long way in understanding past events. And so we summon it. As we mentioned earlier, European science did not develop in a vacuum. Rather, it drew massively from the Islamic world. So when it came to glass and lens making, Medieval Muslims had great expertise, along with the scientific breakthroughs they made in the fields of geometrical and physiological optics. Ibn al Haytham's books were well known in Europe and translated into Latin very early on. He is often mentioned in early western literature on the subject by Roger Bacon, Robert Grosseteste, Witelo and he influenced Galileo, Keplar and Newton. [2]

Trade and import of glass products, lenses and other glass products flourished in Italy, Andalus and through Byzantium. [3] The beautiful stained-glass windows in cathedrals across Europe are artifacts of the Islamic influence on European architecture. [4]

Photo by JF Martin on Unsplash

Moreover, Astronomy was one of the few sciences that was developed in the early years of the Islamic civilization. Some even date the development of Astronomical sciences before the great translation movement, positing that the translation movement served as an aid for further research, rather than the initial impetus. [5]

Anomalies encountered in Ptolomy's astronomical models must have created the vacuum needed for the invention of an optical device that unveiled the celestial motion. Keeping all this in mind, it makes perfect sense that if a telescope was invented in the Muslim world, it would land up on the shores of Italy in some time.

Deconstructing the 'Galileo' myth

Without exception, all English texts on the subject, be it online articles, history of science papers or encyclopedias, attribute the telescope to either Lippershey or Galileo. This is such a widely disseminated myth that even children are subject to it, as textbooks around the world falsely attribute the invention of the telescope to Galileo, branding him the Father of Modern Science. History shows otherwise.

So let's start with lenses. Scanning through history books on Islamic technology we find extensive mention of the Muslim expertise in lens making, even to the extent of discussing inventions of optical aids, spectacles and other observational instruments. Notable among these are the telescopic shaped observational instrument of Al Biruni [6], the sophisticated observational devices used in the Maragha observatory that were recreated in Europe. [7] Even spectacles were invented as early as in the 11th century in the Muslim world, centuries before they showed up in Europe. [8]

Going from this prowess at designing optical instruments to a fully functional telescope shouldn’t be a big leap. Even common sense says that if people are already proficient with creating visual instruments, why should it take 700 years and someone from a different culture to combine lenses in a manner that magnifies a far off object? And so our intuition is right. It was even before Biruni and Ibn al Haytham another Muslim scientist had already had a paved the way for the world's first telescope. Welcome Abul Hasan Ibn Ishaq.

The Muslim who invented the the Telescope, centuries before Galileo

Abul Hasan Ibn Ishaq (d. 890), though being a Muslim himself, originally came from a Christian family in Baghdad and was taught several languages such as Greek, Arabic, Aramaic and middle Syriac. He started off cutting glass and working on lenses and suffered weak vision due to staying up late and writing texts and results of experiments. He was one of the translators during the rise of the Dar ul-Hikmah movement in which the Abbasids had him and others translating works and used to be paid in gold whatever the weight was of the books he translated. Translators in that time were paid amounts even more than NBA and football athletes today.

Being good with lenses, he created the world's first bifocals. So by the 9th century eye glasses were already invented in the Muslim world. Bifocals are eye glasses with two optical powers. On the contrary, it is widely held that spectacles were invented in 14th Century Europe and Benjamin Franklin invented the Bifocals. Both of which are historically incorrect. Then Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq went on to arrange lenses in such a manner that could bring celestial objects close. He succeeded in producing the world's first telescope as early as in the 9th Century, which is seven centuries before Galileo. [9] Undoubtedly the Islamic civilization was centuries ahead of its time.

After observing the solar system through his new invention, he then went on to share his breakthrough with his patron, the Abbasid Caliph, Harun al Rashid. The Caliph, impressed with the device, put it to military use. Thus, Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq's telescope found use as binoculars. Now some discussion on the original Arabic source that documents Abul Hasan's breakthrough.

Arabic historical sources- Colonial myth breakers

There is a massive difference between European texts written before the Crusades and after. The ones written before tend to contain sufficient references back to Islamic sources. But texts during and post Crusades sparingly cite Muslim sources. Is it because of the absurdity of fighting the same people from whom you draw your scientific knowledge from? This trend kept up till the Colonial period. How can you possibly colonize a people and still admit to their primacy and technological prowess. Those two don't fit, hence one has to go. We all know which one was sacrificed. Hence, this was time of the earliest Orientalist texts that launched the most scathing intellectual attacks on not only the religion of Islam, but also the blessed and holy character of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the rich intellectual and scientific tradition his followers produced.

Things have changed in the last few decades with the growing interest in studying the history of Islamic Science. But it's still not enough to do justice to the rich scientific tradition that flourished in the Medieval Islamic world.

According to Professor Salim al Hassani, “there are 5 million manuscripts from the Islamic Golden Age in libraries around the world, out of which only fifty thousand have been studied.” Only time will tell what new information those will bring to the fore, that may enhance our understanding of the history of science and transfer of technology from the Muslim world to Europe. [10]

Interestingly, the Arabic historical source from which we have derived this useful information about Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq, does not come under the category of veiled manuscripts lying in library shelves waiting to be explored. But from a regular history work. That does tell us how underdeveloped this field is and the attention it requires from scholars and historians, especially Arabic speaking scholarship who would go back to original sources to study the history of Islamic science from the lens of the people who witnessed this period that deserves to be called the first scientific revolution.

The source which refers to Abul Hasan ibn Ishaq's telescope and bifocals is Tarikh Madinat al Salaam written by Sunni scholar, historian and narrator and collector of Hadith, Khatib al Baghdadi. In his 23 volume historical survey on the Medieval Metropolis- Baghdad or Dar us Salam as it was named, dwells into interesting details on the architecture, culture, people of Baghdad at the time.

I am very grateful to Shaykh Abu Ja'far al Hanbali for painstakingly reading through Arabic historical texts and providing us with this eye-opening piece of information.

I even found a reference to Ibn Ishaq’s ‘pre-Galileo’s telescope in a book entitled ‘The Attitude of Islam towards Science and Philosophy: A Translation of Ibn Rushd’s famous treatise Fasl ul al Maqal."‘

How does it matter? Why the competition?

A clarification is required here, as this revision of the history of science must not be misunderstood as a mere exercise to determine which culture was more advanced and had primacy to technology? Neither should it be misinterpreted as a clash of civilization, the ‘us versus them’ mentality, made use of in the domain of history. Rather an amendment of this negative ideology is aimed at.

We live in a world where science has become the hallmark of knowledge and progress. Many thinkers highlight achievements made in their respective cultures with a supremacist mindset. This unhealthy practice was an integral part of the colonial rhetoric, and unfortunately still continues and is a true manifestation of the Us vs them mindset. A cropped picture of the history of science, where it is presented as a sole proprietorship of the white European man, is not only incorrect and misleading but represents the subtle forms of racism, sexism and chauvinism that promote violence and abuse be it at the international level or among individuals. Additionally, it is unhealthy and detrimental for the development of science as well.

Consequently, I have not discussed the development of the telescope in the Muslim world to prove the Islamic culture to be superior to other cultures on account of it's anticipation of modern technology. What made Islam great is not to be viewed from a narrow lens of science. What made Islam great is not the science and inventions that arose, but the culture of learning and devotion and the civilization of ethics, equality and pluralism that its adherents sought to produce. Definitely, there are things to appreciate in the modern global civilization as well. So then why do we need a reconstruction and revision of the history of science at all?

Firstly, it is important to understand the history of science. Plainly for the sake of understanding the history of inventions that changed the world. Secondly it would benefit the cultivation of science globally. Its is my opinion that introducing history of scinece as an elective course in the curriculem for all science related subjects studied at university level, atleast in Muslim intitutes, would be a great initiative. This way students would get a richer understanding of science as an ever developing and ever revising discipline, and not an absolute claim over reality. Moreover, this would lead to an increase scientific creativty and reduce islam vs scnece tension by formulation of sound islamic responses to evolution AI, QM, by a thorough survey of how the past Muslim scholars develped different sciences, how they dealt with the road blocks encountered in the combined study involving reason and revelation. And lastly, it is high time we peel off the colonial supremacist ideology that defiles curricula around the world. The world has seen enough wars, annexations and abuse of power that owes much to this ideology. The only way to combat this ideology is through knowledge and loads of it.

Watch the video on Ibn Ishaq’s telescope here.

References

[1] Palmieri, Paolo (2001). "Galileo and the discovery of the phases of Venus". Journal for the History of Astronomy.

[2] Authier, André (2013), "3: The Dual Nature of Light", Early Days of X-ray Crystallography, Oxford University Press,

[3] http://www.history-science-technology.com/articles/articles%207.html

[4] https://www.1001inventions.com/feature/glass/

[5] Saliba, George (2007), Islamic Science and the making of the European Renaissance, Pg 15-19.

[6] https://muslimheritage.com/birunis-telescopic-shape-instrument/

[7] Suhayl: International Journal for the History of the Exact and Natural Sciences in Islamic Civilisation, Vol. 12 (2013), pp. 45-179.

[8] https://muslimheritage.com/invention-spectacles-east-and-west/

[9] Al-Baghdadi, Ahmad Al-Khatib, Tarikh Madinat is-Salam, vol.1, pp. 292-436, Dar ul-Maghrib il-Islamic, Beirut, 1422 (AD 2002)

[10] https://muslimheritage.com/interview-prof-salim-al-hassani/

[11] Rafiabadi, H.N, Kak, A.A. “The Attitude of Islam towards Science and Philosophy.”

China, on the other hand, rejected this.

They chose self-reliance.

Instead of relying on imported brands, they built their own:

No Visa? They have UnionPay.
No YouTube? They have Youku.
No Google? They have Baidu.
No WhatsApp? They have WeChat.
No Uber? They have DiDi.
No Amazon? They have Taobao.

The only Western brands that had penetrated through were the usual suspects - Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Apple, Starbucks and Lego.

China wasn’t interested - seemingly they had trusted their own people to create the technology and infrastructure they needed - a slow, strategic approach to becoming the dominant global power.

Even the all-conquering Amazon dedicated 15 years to breaking through, before exiting in 2019 with less than a 1% market share. Tesco, Walmart, Nike and Airbnb were other notable failures.

It has even swung the other way where now Chinese companies have scaled internationally into foreign markets. AliBaba, Lenovo, DJI, Huawei and of course TikTok are household names. BYD are big in the EV industry.

The recent RedNote phenomenon adds another to the list.

"Through foreign trade, people's satisfaction, merchants' profits and countries' wealth are all increased." - Ibn Khaldun

Meanwhile, other than the airlines and Aramco - how many other Arab-owned global brands can you think of?

The Chinese approach really resonated with me.

They focused domestically - one demographic, huge scale (1bn+), one language. Build super companies that are independently powerful.

Expand from a position of strength.

The Islamic world has over a billion people too, albeit with linguistic diversity.

But why couldn’t we take inspiration from China?

Why couldn’t we build our own ecosystems of tech, culture, and innovation - grounded in our shared values and purpose?

The lesson is clear. Self-reliance is powerful.

Of course - it's not easy. There are 57 countries, for starters. 57 different leaders, languages, laws. So it's certainly super challenging.

But a mindset shift is definitely needed for revival.

What’s stopping us from taking the same leap of faith in our own people?

What are your thoughts? What do we need to do, to have this type of culture and mindset shift in the Muslim world?

Ready to delve deeper and take action? Here's how you can get involved:

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Take the example of Greek Civilization, its intellectual activity, culture, arts and sciences primarily flourished under the patronage of its strong rulership. However, all historical civilizations have one thing in common: the empire’s strength lies at its beginning and reaches peak in the middle, then gradually decreases and eventually leads towards its downfall. The Abbasid Empire that existed from 8th – 13th century CE was no exception.

It flourished under a strong leadership and left a mark on world’s history unlike other empires. Their historical mark was the great Translation Project in the contemporary world at Dar Al Hikmah (House of Wisdom), a major center of learning at Baghdad, the Abbasid capital that produced one of the greatest scientific revolutions of all times. It was the strong Abbasid leadership under the early Abbasid Caliphs that made the project a success story impacting the world for centuries to come.

However, the Abbasids too faced common consequences like any other empire whose earlier rulers were strong in leadership and running state affairs but with time fell prey to worldly temptations became weaker which eventually lead towards their downfall.

Below we have discussed factors in the light of Islam that explain how strong leadership is indispensable for the light of knowledge to spread, without which the darkness of ignorance prevails. This is what Abbasids at Baghdad experienced and this is what the Islamic world is experiencing today.

Concept of the Sword & the Pen

A leader must be strong and forbearing. Being only strong will destroy those under them, being too much forbearing will provide room for others to exploit and disturb the rule.

14th century Islamic scholar, sociologist & historiographer Ibn Khaldun explains in the beginning of any dynasty there comes the use of sword before the use of pen. The use of sword is necessary because the sword helps to establish the power of its rulership and strengthens it.

Once rulership is established and there is harmony to a large extent then the use of sword becomes minimum and the use of pen increases. The use of pen indicates intellectual and scientific activity and the influence of the learned in the society. Hence, we notice that the foundation for the cradle of scientific revolution at Dar Al Hikmah was laid by strong and pious Caliphs namely Al Mansur (CE 754 – 775), Al Mahdi (775 -785 CE), Al Rashid (CE 786 – 809), Al Mamun (CE 813 – 833).

They provided necessary resources and support for initiating the project and safe and sound environment that brought thinkers, men of knowledge from near and far to the capital. They personally supervised the collection of manuscripts from around the world, written in Greek, Latin, and Persian in the fields of medicine, alchemy, physics, mathematics, astrology and other disciplines.

The rulers not only supported the project but also took part in discussions and debates among the intelligentsia which displayed their personal interest. However, the use of pen declines when the situation of the dynasty begins weakening and the use of sword comes in to action again to protect the dynasty from crumbling but then it either succeeds in reviving itself against its opposition and the results are determined by how strong the opposition is.

Early Abbasid Caliphs vs Later Ones

Baghdad was the center of the Abbasid Empire. It was here that the cradle of modern education and sciences originated and impacted the entire globe for many centuries to come including ours.

For instance, algorithm, a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, used by almost every computerized system on earth originates from teachings of famous Mathematician Al Khwarizmi, an Islamic scholar at Dar Al Hikmah.

When rulers are strong and just in rulership, pious in their lifestyle and character, then much good results from it. Its recorded that Al Rashid possessed a good deal of learning and simplicity because his age was close to that of his forebears who also possessed those qualities.

The time between him and his grandfather, Al Mansur (son of As Saffah, the first Abbasid ruler), was not a long one. He was young when Al Mansur died. Al Mansur possessed a good deal of learning and religion before he became caliph and continued to practice those high standards even afterwards.

These rulers enjoyed company of Islamic scholars, listened to their advice and advised them as well. Imam Malik, one of the greatest Imams of Islamic law, was inspired by Al Mansur to write the Muwatta, one of the most authentic collections of prophetic hadith. Al Mamun, son of Al Rashid, enjoyed the company and even prayed salaah (5 times prayers) together with chief Qadi (justice) Yahya bin Akhtam, also a famous hadith transmitter.

Al Mansur's son, Al Mahdi, Al Rashid's father, inspired by Al Mansur’s personality, in his simplicity avoided use of the public treasury even to provide new clothes for his family. It is also recorded that earlier Caliphs displayed only light silver ornamentation on their belts, swords, bridles, and saddles, and that the first caliph to display golden apparel was Al Mutazz bin al Mutawakkil, the eighth caliph after Al Rashid.

[1] The decline of the Abbasids began when pomp, show and waste of wealth became the lifestyle of rulers as opposed to providing justice, practicing simplicity, enjoying company of the learned men and fighting enemies. A major factor that assisted the Abbasids to make the project successful at Baghdad was the taxation policy. Due to the strong central government in Baghdad, its rulers were getting taxes from across the empire and had money to spend on translations and patronage of scholarship.

[2] Another major factor that determined the strength of the empire was the readiness of the caliphs to face and defend against enemies. The early Caliphs were strong enough to crush rebellions within the empire and lead armies into enemy territory and defeat them. The later caliphs, however did not share the same traits. As Saffah defeated the Chinese in war, Al Mansur is renown for successfully crushing rebellions and Harun Al Rashid led military expeditions into Byzantine territory, close to Constantinople. While Al Mustazhar, the 12th century Abbasid Caliph was helpless when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. The renowned Islamic Scholar Al Harawi traveled from Damascus to Baghdad to see the Caliph and encourage him to defend but he seemed powerless, the political power was under several Turkish Muslim dynasties. He was only a Caliph by name.

[3] Al Yaqubi, early 9th century geographer visited Baghdad and said “It is the center of the world. Its people have good manners, resplendent faces and open minds that they excelled all others in learning and understanding, in literature, in comprehension, in expertise and in crafts.”

[4] Comparing this with account of 13th century geographer Ibn Jubayr who visited Baghdad 35 years before Mongol invasion complained about the vanity of its people. “Strangers they despise,” he wrote, “and they show scorn and disdain to their inferiors, while the stories of the news of other men they belittle ... it is as if they are persuaded that God has no lands nor people save theirs.”

[5] Ibn Jubayr’s revelations are worth attention because as Mongol invasion was nearer, Caliph Al Mustasim was busy in hunting and entertainment rather than state affairs. It is recorded that he sent requests to Badruddin Lulu, ruler of Mosul, to provide singers and musical instruments while Hulagu Khan, the Mongol leader, was collecting canons and other weapons to destroy walls of Baghdad. The people in Baghdad were given to pleasures and entertainment like their rulers and the religious scholars were busy with sectarian matters.

[6] The people of Baghdad were strong and inspirational as long as the rulers were also courageous, pious and fair and their religious leaders courageous enough to rebuke the ruling class when required. When the rulers became engrossed in worldly pleasures, gave up the path of their predecessors then their affairs became corrupt and so was the state of the peoples and of the religious scholars under them. Hence the destruction of Baghdad happened as a result of what Allah ﷻ has said: (Al Quran 17:16) And when We intend to destroy a nation, We command its affluent (elite class: rulers, scholars, influential) to obey Allah ﷻ but they defiantly disobey therein (become corrupt); so the word comes into effect upon it (the nation) and We destroy it utterly.Islamic Inspiration behind the House of WisdomIt was at the Battle of Talas in 751 CE when the Abbasid army defeated the Chinese army of Tang Empire and captured several of its soldiers. These prisoners of war revealed the paper making technology which became the major precursor and proponent for the translation project at Baghdad.

[7] With the use of latest technology Dar Al Hikmah became a success story in the contemporary world, the first knowledge city which produced many scientists and scholars and each made major contributions in their field revolutionizing the world of knowledge. This reminds us of Battle of Badr, in the aftermath of which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ decided to set free some prisoners on the condition that they educate 10 children on reading and writing and once they become proficient, the instructor would be set free.

[8] It was several young children of Madinah that became writers and collectors of Prophetic hadith which significantly helped in the dissemination of Islamic knowledge after the Prophet’s passing away. What is more interesting to note that paper-technology, back then the primary instrument of dissemination of knowledge, like the internet is today, originated from China and it was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who is reported to have advised “Seek knowledge even if it is in China”

[9] highlighting efforts to acquire knowledge. And it was the Prophet ﷺ who once prophesied looking at his Persian companion Salman Al Farsi (r.a) and said “If Faith were at (the place of) Ath-Thuraiya (pleiades, the highest star), even then some men from these people (i.e. Salman's folk) would attain it.”

[10] An indication of the great number of Persian Islamic scholars and scientists in Islamic history, many of whom formed the chore of academics at Baghdad. It was at this that an Arab Scholar at Baghdad said “We Arabs have all the words but you Persians have all the ideas.”

[11] The “words” here imply the rich language of the Quran, the classical Arabic.Current Crisis of Knowledge & the Information Age. At the beginning of any dynasty sword helps to establish power and strengthen the rule and the use of pen dominates after the success of sword. Currently most parts of the Muslim world are experiencing political conflicts for last several decades: infighting among themselves and fighting foreign occupations. This in addition to the poor economic state of several Muslim countries caused mainly by their corrupt political class which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by stronger countries. $1 trillion dollar of corrupt wealth is transferred from developing countries (like Pakistan, Nigeria) and stashed abroad every year into Western countries due to weak international laws, something recently decried by Pakistani PM Imran Khan in UN General Assembly.

[12] Due to these reasons we are also seeing a consistent process of brain drain from Muslim world into Western countries. Due to this we see many Muslim scientists and their achievements, if any, take place mainly in the West where lies centers of global learning. This is because economic and political order in the West is much more stable than the Muslim world. We recently heard some achievements made by Muslims in the West in medicine and technology fields: a Muslim doctor in US invents a ventilator that can serve up to 7 people when there was a shortage of ventilators during COVID-19

[13], a Turkish doctor in Germany created the vaccine for COVID-19

[14], a Pakistan origin electrical engineer in Texas developed a cancer cell detection method improving early cancer diagnosis

[15], and a Muslim in Ireland was listed among top 1% of computer science technology in the world.

[16] This reminds us of Nasiruddin Tusi, one of the best Persian Islamic scientist, provided an observatory under the patronage of Hulagu Khan, non-Muslim Mongol ruler, under whom he continued making achievements. While it is great to hear of some Muslims acquiring scientific achievements under non-Muslims, it’s also regrettable that unlike their predecessor, majority of them are dispersed throughout the world and not under one center like Dar Al Hikmah, where various talents came together. Unlike Nasiruddin many of them are not even well versed in religious knowledge, their worldview secular like non-Muslims or religion is only limited to their private sphere. Religious knowledge along with expertise in worldly sciences kept the Islamic scientists aware of the morals and ethics required in the usage of their learning, something very decisive for modern scientists. The Quran is God’s divine speech and like light of fire when applied towards worldly sciences lights them up, opening new venues of knowledge, and this is one of the meaning of: (Al Quran 24:35) Light upon Light! Allah guides whoever He wills to His Light. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. For Allah has perfect knowledge of each and everything.

With brain drain of scientific knowledge, we also notice improper and incorrect use of religious knowledge which despite being readily available in the age of information the true understanding of which has become very less among Muslims. This has much to do with widespread ignorance of the Deen (Islam) and in reference to this the Prophet ﷺ predicted “among the signs of the Hour knowledge shall be raised up, ignorance shall be rampant.”

[17] And he also predicted the age of information and the lies and confusion that will accompany it: “Shortly before the Last Hour…. false witness will prevail, hiding the truth and widespread use of pen.”

[18] As per Islamic scholars "widespread use of pen" refers to the digital era with information on our fingertips while “false witness” and “hiding the truth” entails the disinformation that accompanies it. Ignorance of the Deen in the age of information will provide many sources of learning Islam but very less correct understanding of it as also foretold by the Prophet ﷺ: “There will come a time in which there will be many readers and few Fuqaha (people with proper understanding of deen); knowledge will be taken away and there will be a lot of Harj” They asked “What is Harj” He said “Killing among you (infighting, civil wars). Then after that there will come a time when the Quran is read by many men, but it will not go further than their collarbones. Then after that will come a time when the disbelieving hypocrite, who joins others with Allah ﷻ, will dispute with the believer, using the same argument as him (i.e. using the book of Allah and the Prophetic words).”

[19] – the “disbelieving hypocrite” are the online non-Muslims, ex-Muslims and pretending to be Muslims “experts” of Islam, skilled in arguments against the Muslims, employing primary sources (Quran and hadith) to defeat or at least confuse them in their faith. These people will appear at a time when there will be tons of readers (online) but very few people with understanding of their deen (fuqaha). Many will be tempted and accept new interpretations of Islam (“modern Islam” new "sufism" Quranists, rejecting hadith, sectarianism, Ahmadiyya etc.) and will fall prey to this confusion project. Such is clearly visible in the online world, and I have personally experienced this for many years now.

(Al Quran 94:5-6) Verily, with hardship comes ease - By 14th century the political authority of the Abbasids was replaced with the powerful Ottomans in the Islamic world and further scientific developments also took place under their authority. And so we expect that current pressing times will also replace the decadent rulership with stronger authorities who will bring a new age of development: (Al Quran 5:54) Allah will in time bring forth people whom He loves and who love Him...

References

[1] THE MUQADDIMAH, Abd Ar Rahman bin Muhammed ibn Khaldun, Translated by Franz Rosenthal, INTRODUCTION, The excellence of historiography. - An appreciation of the various approaches to history. - A glimpse at the different kinds of errors to which historians are liable. Something about why these errors occur

[2] The House of Wisdom: Baghdad’s Intellectual Powerhouse, Muslim Heritage, by Cem Nizamoglu Published 17th May 2016 - https://muslimheritage.com/house-of-wisdom/

[3] Revival: The Muslim Response to the Crusades | The Crusades: An Arab Perspective Ep2, Al Jazeera English -

[4] A TALE OF TWO CITIES AND THE ABBASID CALIPHATE 132 – 656/750 – 1258, (Prof. Dr.) Osman Sid-Ahmed Ismail AI-Bili, Director, D.H.R.C. University Of Qatar

[5] Travelers of Al-Andalus, Part 1: The Travel Writer Ibn Jubayr, AramcoWorld, Written by Daniel Grammatico and Louis Werner, January/February 2015 - https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/October-2016/Travelers-of-Al-Andalus-The-Travel-Writer-Ibn-Jub

[6] First Things First: For Inquiring Minds and Yearning Hearts, Baghdad, Khalid Baig, Open Mind Press (July 14, 2004)

[7] The Beginning of the Paper Industry, Muslim Heritage, by FSTC, Published on 10th January 2003 - https://muslimheritage.com/paper-industry/

[8] al-Mubarakpuri, Safi-ur-Rahman. 1996. Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar). Dar-us-Salam Publications.

[9] Hadith: The Prophet (s) said, “Seek knowledge even in China,” As Sunnah Foundation of America, Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad - http://sunnah.org/2016/03/28/hadith-the-prophet-s-said-seek-knowledge-even-in-china/

[10] Sahih Al Bukhari Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 420 – Sunnah.com

[11] Cem Nizamoglu, Muslim Heritage

[12] 'Stolen assets of developing countries must be returned,' PM Imran tells UN panel, Dawn News, Updated 24 Sep 2020 - https://www.dawn.com/news/1581386/stolen-assets-of-developing-countries-must-be-returned-pm-imran-tells-un-panel

[13] ‘Hero’: Pakistani-American doctor takes on ventilator shortages, Al Jazeera, By Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath, 15 Apr 2020 - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/15/hero-pakistani-american-doctor-takes-on-ventilator-shortages

[14] Turkish-Germans behind BioNTech and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, TRT World, 9 NOV 2020 - https://www.trtworld.com/life/turkish-germans-behind-biontech-and-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-41305

[15] Pakistani scientist develops device to diagnose cancer rapidly, The Express Tribune, February 16, 2016 - https://tribune.com.pk/story/1047852/pakistani-scientist-develops-device-to-diagnose-cancer-rapidly

[16] Pakistani lecturer ranked among world’s top 1% computer science researchers, The Express Tribune, December 05, 2020 - https://tribune.com.pk/story/2274782/pakistani-lecturer-ranked-among-worlds-top-1-computer-science-researchers

[17] Jami at-Tirmidhi 2205 – Sunnah.com

[18] Musnad Imam Ahmad - Hadith # 3870

[19] Recorded as Saheeh by Al-Haakim and Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Also narrated by Al-Tabaranee in Al-Awsat. It has corroborating reports in Bukhari & Muslim – al-Areefi, Dr. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahmaan. 2010. The End of the world - The Major and Minor Signs of the Hour. Riyadh: Darussalaam.

Saddaque had been through the entire 20-part Second Golden Age series (available for free!) and it had transformed his mindset to one where he not only had gratitude but also a sense of pride and confidence about his heritage and background.

For those who know, this is significant as this has not always been the case in the Muslim world - we often have a deep inferiority complex. Tackling this was one of our objectives when putting this series together.

For us to rise and be capable of rebuilding a Second Golden Age... we need to first feel that we're worthy of it.

We need to understand who we are, where we've come from and what we're capable of, with Allah's will.

We have the Qu'ran and we have the golden rule... la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah aliyal azeem... there is no power EXCEPT with Allah!

If we aspire, if we desire, if we do the work, with Allah on our side - there is no reason why we can't move mountains, insha'allah!

If you'd like to join the community and watch the full series you can do so here: https://www.skool.com/kn-ow/about

JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND WATCH THE SERIES

According to the majority of muslim scholarship, Isra and Miraj took place during the month of Rajab on the 27th night. Isra being the nocturnal journey of the Prophet ﷺ from Mecca to Jerusalem and Mi'raj being the Ascension of the Prophet ﷺ through the 'samawaat' or the multiple universes.

While there is so much to discuss on this event, I want to concentrate on one crucial facet of this event- the ,eeting between the Prophet ﷺ and Idris (as) The Meeting with Idris (as) The Prophet ﷺ meets a Prophet named Idris (as) on the 4th universe.

Who is Idris (as)? This is a very important question. Why ? Because the answer to this question will shed light on how the Prophet influences the fate and future of his nation.

We would also understand why science and philosophy reached great heights in the Islamic world quite suddenly within a century after the Prophet. Also we will get insight into how deeply connected the spiritual realm is with the physical world. Who is Idris (as) and why does he meet the Prophet ﷺ ?

He is mentioned precisely twice in the whole Quran. The Quran has 6000 odd verses. Out of which only two are dedicated to this prophet. So why is such a less known prophet being encountered by Rasool Allah ﷺ.

If there are 124000 prophets that have been sent to humanity, why these few are chosen and out of these the one who is barely mentioned in the Quran. Do they represent something profound ? Why not some other famous prophet, like Nuh (as) who has an entire chapter in the Quran named after him, why not Yunus (as), why not Yaqub (as) ?

These prophets are way more referred to in the Quran. Why does Allah choose Idris (as) to be on the fourth universe to meet the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? Every thing that Allah does has great wisdom in it.

So undoubtedly there is great wisdom in choosing Idris (as) to be there instead of the other famous prophets. So while we cannot know much about him from the Quran. We are compelled to look into what the ulema have written out about the identity and life and times of Idris (as).

The ulema have gathered prophetic sayings and historical and biblical accounts regarding the identity of this obscure prophet of God. Idris (as) has been identified by classical scholarship as Hermes Trismegistus, who was a Prophet of Philosophy. He is attributed to be the Founder of Philosophy.

The word Idris in arabic means 'Interpreter'. Imam baydawi derives it from 'dars'. Ibn Ishaq says,"He was the first man to use a pen" and the mufassiroon (exegetes of the Quran) write that "he was among the first men to observe the movement of stars and set out scientific weights and measures".

Ibn Arabi calls him the "Prophet of Philosophy". And as always in human history, wise people, long after their demise are deified and mystical nature of their works are confused with occult practices.

Like in the case of Sulaiman (as) who was wrongly accused of practicising magic by the Israelites and the Quran comes in his defence and clears him of all allegations. Same is the case with Idris (as), who was diefied by ancient greeks as the god of wisdom and interpretive knowledge.

What's more interesting is that Modern Western scholarship proudly and quite incorrectly considers itself the inheritors of Greek wisdom. While look at this Prophet of God who is the source of this knowledge that we now call Greek Philosophy.

Idris (as) is the father of Greek, Indian and Babylonian sciences. So you have the presence of a God sent prophet even in the history of philosophy and famous civilizations. Decoding the Meeting The conception of the universe according to Islam is that the future is a set of possible timelines (something similar to how Quantum Physics now describes it).

But within these different future scenarios, why do we see only one playing out? Who chooses? Of course Allah Most High. But did you know that the Prophet ﷺ was given the power to choose the fate of his Ummah ?

Everything in this journey holds a powerful symbolic meaning regarding the events that unfold in the future. Let me give you an example. The Prophet ﷺ says, "I was given a bowl of wine and a bowl of milk by Gabriel (as) and was told to choose.

I chose Milk and I was told you have chosen Fitrah the natural disposition on which God created mankind and hence your nation will not go astray. If you had chosen wine, they would go astray.

Meaning that this small experience of the Prophet ﷺ of having to choose between milk and wine - milk representing guidance and wine representing misguidance has significant implications for the future of the Muslim nation.

Similarly the brief encounter between Rasool Allah ﷺ and the Prophet of philosophy and founder of ancient astronomy and rational sciences (Idris), will have very important implications for the future of the Muslim nation.

The question is what are those implications? Fortunately we don't have to go far to understand this. A study of Muslim history is enough for us to understand that the meeting between the Last Prophet and the Prophet of Philosophy and Ancient Astronomy, symbolises the encounter the nation of the Last prophet (Muslims) will have with the nation and inherited knowledge of the Father of Philosophy, astronomy and ancient sciences (Greek science).

This particular event in Miraj elucidates the Prophet's role as the Inaugurator of the Modern Scientific Revolution. As Maulana Dr Fazlur rahman Ansari briliantly explains, "The Prophet ﷺ has a twin role, being the landmark in human history. He ﷺ came to close one era - the era of Prophetic revelation or divine spoon feeding.

But in addition to that He also came to inaugurate another era - the Modern scientific era. This you can find when you read the Quran, this you can find when you read Hadith.

This you can find when you read Muslim history and the history of science." It is precisely due to the emphasis the Quran put on learning, education and contemplation over the physical world, that the Muslim nation from very early on devoted itself to the development of philosophy and natural sciences.

It is not by coincidence that the first sciences that were developed in the Islamic Golden Age were Astronomy which later on gave birth to modern astronomy and chemistry. Notice how the scholars describe Idris (as) as the first man to observe the stars and set out scientific weights and measures.

How did this spiritual experience of the Prophet ﷺ influence the historical process? The answer is that it was one of the greatest moments in the history of human knowledge.

Historians call it the Golden age of Islam but actually it is the golden age of science, technology, philosphy, art, culture and literature. Muslim scholars from the vast Muslim empire made a concerted effort to develop novel disciplines, study and interpret translate Greek Philosophy.

The result was the greatest scientific revolution humanity has ever witnessed. Entire new disciplines of science were created from scratch. Name it and it finds its inception in the Muslim scientific revolution - chemistry, mathematical astronomy, algebra, calculus, mathematical physics, biomedical engineering, robotics, mechanical engineering, psychotherapy, opthalmology, spherical trigonometry, anthropology. And most importantly the Scientific Method was formulated and popularized.

Institutions of scientific learning and research were set up, greek philosophy was put to a rigorous test as years followed and whatever was confirmed by the Quran was accepted and what did not stand the test was rejected.

Out of all this emerged the most sophisticated philosophical atomic theory called Kalam Atomism, which has no precedent in history. And while all of this was happening, guess who was at the recieving end, taking this knowledge bit by bit as it trickled down through borders?

Europe ! Lo and Behold ! the European embodiment of Islamic science and spirit is what we call the Renaissance and later on the Modern Scientific Revolution. In absolute timelessness, the Prophet ﷺ was made to witness the entire fate of the universe.

Centuries worth of scientific research, study and scholarship and hundreds and thousands of men and women behind it, are all a part of the symbolic meaning of the meeting between the Prophet of the Last Age- Muhammad ﷺ and the Prophet of Antiquity- the Father of Philosophy- Idris (as).

This gives us a fresh insight into how a brief spiritual event represents thousands of years of human history. "And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count." - Quran 22:47

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Take the example of Greek Civilization, its intellectual activity, culture, arts and sciences primarily flourished under the patronage of its strong rulership. However, all historical civilizations have one thing in common: the empire’s strength lies at its beginning and reaches peak in the middle, then gradually decreases and eventually leads towards its downfall.

The Abbasid Empire that existed from 8th – 13th century CE was no exception. It flourished under a strong leadership and left a mark on world’s history unlike other empires. Their historical mark was the great Translation Project in the contemporary world at Dar Al Hikmah (House of Wisdom), a major center of learning at Baghdad, the Abbasid capital that produced one of the greatest scientific revolutions of all times.

It was the strong Abbasid leadership under the early Abbasid Caliphs that made the project a success story impacting the world for centuries to come. However, the Abbasids too faced common consequences like any other empire whose earlier rulers were strong in leadership and running state affairs but with time fell prey to worldly temptations became weaker which eventually lead towards their downfall.

Below we have discussed factors in the light of Islam that explain how strong leadership is indispensable for the light of knowledge to spread, without which the darkness of ignorance prevails. This is what Abbasids at Baghdad experienced and this is what the Islamic world is experiencing today.

Concept of the Sword & the Pen

A leader must be strong and forbearing. Being only strong will destroy those under them, being too much forbearing will provide room for others to exploit and disturb the rule. 14th century Islamic scholar, sociologist & historiographer Ibn Khaldun explains in the beginning of any dynasty there comes the use of sword before the use of pen.

The use of sword is necessary because the sword helps to establish the power of its rulership and strengthens it. Once rulership is established and there is harmony to a large extent then the use of sword becomes minimum and the use of pen increases. The use of pen indicates intellectual and scientific activity and the influence of the learned in the society.

Hence, we notice that the foundation for the cradle of scientific revolution at Dar Al Hikmah was laid by strong and pious Caliphs namely Al Mansur (CE 754 – 775), Al Mahdi (775 -785 CE), Al Rashid (CE 786 – 809), Al Mamun (CE 813 – 833). They provided necessary resources and support for initiating the project and safe and sound environment that brought thinkers, men of knowledge from near and far to the capital.

They personally supervised the collection of manuscripts from around the world, written in Greek, Latin, and Persian in the fields of medicine, alchemy, physics, mathematics, astrology and other disciplines. The rulers not only supported the project but also took part in discussions and debates among the intelligentsia which displayed their personal interest.

However, the use of pen declines when the situation of the dynasty begins weakening and the use of sword comes in to action again to protect the dynasty from crumbling but then it either succeeds in reviving itself against its opposition and the results are determined by how strong the opposition is.

Early Abbasid Caliphs vs Later Ones

Baghdad was the center of the Abbasid Empire. It was here that the cradle of modern education and sciences originated and impacted the entire globe for many centuries to come including ours.

For instance, algorithm, a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, used by almost every computerized system on earth originates from teachings of famous Mathematician Al Khwarizmi, an Islamic scholar at Dar Al Hikmah.

When rulers are strong and just in rulership, pious in their lifestyle and character, then much good results from it. Its recorded that Al Rashid possessed a good deal of learning and simplicity because his age was close to that of his forebears who also possessed those qualities. The time between him and his grandfather, Al Mansur (son of As Saffah, the first Abbasid ruler), was not a long one.

He was young when Al Mansur died. Al Mansur possessed a good deal of learning and religion before he became caliph and continued to practice those high standards even afterwards. These rulers enjoyed company of Islamic scholars, listened to their advice and advised them as well. Imam Malik, one of the greatest Imams of Islamic law, was inspired by Al Mansur to write the Muwatta, one of the most authentic collections of prophetic hadith.

Al Mamun, son of Al Rashid, enjoyed the company and even prayed salaah (5 times prayers) together with chief Qadi (justice) Yahya bin Akhtam, also a famous hadith transmitter.

Al Mansur's son, Al Mahdi, Al Rashid's father, inspired by Al Mansur’s personality, in his simplicity avoided use of the public treasury even to provide new clothes for his family. It is also recorded that earlier Caliphs displayed only light silver ornamentation on their belts, swords, bridles, and saddles, and that the first caliph to display golden apparel was Al Mutazz bin al Mutawakkil, the eighth caliph after Al Rashid.

The decline of the Abbasids began when pomp, show and waste of wealth became the lifestyle of rulers as opposed to providing justice, practicing simplicity, enjoying company of the learned men and fighting enemies. A major factor that assisted the Abbasids to make the project successful at Baghdad was the taxation policy. Due to the strong central government in Baghdad, its rulers were getting taxes from across the empire and had money to spend on translations and patronage of scholarship.

Another major factor that determined the strength of the empire was the readiness of the caliphs to face and defend against enemies. The early Caliphs were strong enough to crush rebellions within the empire and lead armies into enemy territory and defeat them. The later caliphs, however did not share the same traits.

As Saffah defeated the Chinese in war, Al Mansur is renown for successfully crushing rebellions and Harun Al Rashid led military expeditions into Byzantine territory, close to Constantinople. While Al Mustazhar, the 12th century Abbasid Caliph was helpless when the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. The renowned Islamic Scholar Al Harawi traveled from Damascus to Baghdad to see the Caliph and encourage him to defend but he seemed powerless, the political power was under several Turkish Muslim dynasties. He was only a Caliph by name.

Al Yaqubi, early 9th century geographer visited Baghdad and said “It is the center of the world. Its people have good manners, resplendent faces and open minds that they excelled all others in learning and understanding, in literature, in comprehension, in expertise and in crafts.” Comparing this with account of 13th century geographer Ibn Jubayr who visited Baghdad 35 years before Mongol invasion complained about the vanity of its people. “Strangers they despise,” he wrote, “and they show scorn and disdain to their inferiors, while the stories of the news of other men they belittle ... it is as if they are persuaded that God has no lands nor people save theirs.” Ibn Jubayr’s revelations are worth attention because as Mongol invasion was nearer, Caliph Al Mustasim was busy in hunting and entertainment rather than state affairs.

It is recorded that he sent requests to Badruddin Lulu, ruler of Mosul, to provide singers and musical instruments while Hulagu Khan, the Mongol leader, was collecting canons and other weapons to destroy walls of Baghdad. The people in Baghdad were given to pleasures and entertainment like their rulers and the religious scholars were busy with sectarian matters.

The people of Baghdad were strong and inspirational as long as the rulers were also courageous, pious and fair and their religious leaders courageous enough to rebuke the ruling class when required. When the rulers became engrossed in worldly pleasures, gave up the path of their predecessors then their affairs became corrupt and so was the state of the peoples and of the religious scholars under them. Hence the destruction of Baghdad happened as a result of what Allah ﷻ has said: (Al Quran 17:16) And when We intend to destroy a nation, We command its affluent (elite class: rulers, scholars, influential) to obey Allah ﷻ but they defiantly disobey therein (become corrupt); so the word comes into effect upon it (the nation) and We destroy it utterly.

Islamic Inspiration behind the House of Wisdom

It was at the Battle of Talas in 751 CE when the Abbasid army defeated the Chinese army of Tang Empire and captured several of its soldiers. These prisoners of war revealed the paper making technology which became the major precursor and proponent for the translation project at Baghdad. With the use of latest technology Dar Al Hikmah became a success story in the contemporary world, the first knowledge city which produced many scientists and scholars and each made major contributions in their field revolutionizing the world of knowledge.

This reminds us of Battle of Badr, in the aftermath of which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ decided to set free some prisoners on the condition that they educate 10 children on reading and writing and once they become proficient, the instructor would be set free. It was several young children of Madinah that became writers and collectors of Prophetic hadith which significantly helped in the dissemination of Islamic knowledge after the Prophet’s passing away. What is more interesting to note that paper-technology, back then the primary instrument of

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Her dad is a carpenter and her mother is a homemaker.

Growing up she knows that very soon she will be married to another carpenter perhaps or someone from her socio-economic circle and she would be a replica of her mother in a new house.

There’s nothing wrong with this life, per se. But it is not a vision-led life. It’s drab, boring and makes a human being into an automaton, who is just going with the flow.

Imagine now one day she receives a letter and she is directed to go to a particular place.

When she goes there she is told that she is from the lineage of such and such warrior who built a great nation, who did great things, set up schools and hospitals, defended his people's rights and took his people out of slavery towards well-being, freedom, and prosperity. And then she's shown relics, books, pictures and proofs. And finally she is given a manuscript written by the great warrior for his future generations where he inspires them to not get immersed in the world and ever forget his great vision of establishing righteousness, justice, knowledge, and virtue on earth. He tells them of the great sacrifices he made, and the battles he fought against oppression.

After all this, the girl is completely transformed. She now has an orientation, she knows where she came from and where she needs to go. She is empowered towards a great, larger-than-life vision for a good world.

She had never aspired for greatness. She had no knowledge or precedent of greatness in her family or worldview. But now she can’t stop thinking about it.

A spark has been lit.

She may go back to the same old life, marry the carpenter, cook food, clean, and have a family. But because her vision has been enlightened and she wants to recreate this great legacy, every small work she does, (be it raise a good child, or teach people, or inspire her family) it has the blessing and noor of that great vision of building a world where knowledge, virtue and justice prevail.

Now, THAT is a life worth living.

And on the Day of Judgement that will be a life worth witnessing as it is being replayed.

So similarly the early Muslims had this great vision to establish justice, peace and virtue on earth. And they inspired others.

They created great sciences, made discoveries, built communities and we are their heirs.

They got this vision from the Nation Builder himself - the Prophet (saw) and sadly, after all these centuries the vision has died out and so has our identity as the makers of the greatest civilisation in history.

That’s where the Second Golden Age comes in.

We want to inspire people with this grand mission just like Aminah’s great ancestor who had written the letter. And in turn, such empowerment with just a few people will spread to others and it, with Allah’s will, can become the phenomenon the Ummah needs.

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. Ideas have endurance without death." — John F. Kennedy

The Second Golden Age is that kind of idea.

It’s a belief. It’s a prophecy. It’s a promise. It’s a future worth fighting for.

So to conclude what our clients achieve by the end of their journey with us is empowerment, a purpose-led vision, inspiration, positivity, a goal-oriented life, and better relationships with Allah, His Messenger (saw) and people because this is a love-filled path and finally a life worth living.

With the ever-increasing materialism in our societies, life has lost its lustre.

Many young people feel life is meaningless. And that affects their mental health, personality, relationships, and even their relationship with Allah and their ultimate fate in the Akhirah.

Part of what we are trying to do is to revive a passion for lifelong learning. To arouse an intellectual curiosity for meaningful things. In a world filled with distraction, the first achievement in our view is a mind curious for interesting knowledge about their legacy.

Once the curiosity is there, and the interest is now activated, then they are now more open towards an alternate, productive and empowering vision with which to view the world and their life. They begin to understand and realise their current worldview (and that of most of the world) had been compromised, it has been corrupted and engineered so they can never achieve their true potential and only live a life of subservience to the status quo.

The penny finally drops.

We want to change Muslims from being passive observers of events to being active makers of world change.

Our goal is to make spiritually enlightened critical thinkers and intellectually empowered young Muslim achievers who will bring about this change in the world.

This is what the Know Your Purpose program is all about. This program helps them to assess their life and their goals, it brings out the blind spots and obstacles in their way to reach their full potential and we help them address those using lessons from the past, teaching from the Quran and Sunnah, great role models and proven mental models and frameworks for success.

So we are not Muslim Life coaches. We are Ummah coaches who are concerned with both the life and Akhirah of the Ummah as a whole.

Macro AND Micro.

We speak to the hidden potential of every human being.
Everyone wants to become the best version of themselves.
Everyone wants to achieve that hidden potential within.

People get distracted away from this by everyday activities. But this desire doesn’t die. It remains stagnant within the individual. UNTIL it is reactivated again.

We want to push this reactivation button that lies within.

With our Know Your Purpose program we awaken in people this hidden desire to ascend and fulfil their purpose and with the Second Golden Age we give them a bigger vision to work towards.

It all comes together in a beautiful, powerful unison and transforms the Ummah into the formidable changemakers we were always supposed to be.

We are offering a complete life-changing experience to our clients.

They come in as regular young Muslims perhaps somewhat interested in Islamic history. But when they see our content that presents the Islamic civilization (and how to live their life) in a completely different light they haven’t just received interesting information.

They have received a manual for their ultimate self-actualisation.

Now think about it.

We are all Aaminah, in a way.

We all have our monotonous day-to-day routines to deal with. And this keeps us so occupied that it eclipses or solely occupies our future prospects.

But we ALL have received that life-changing letter. We all have that glorious ‘ancestor’ who made us inheritors of a praiseworthy legacy.

This is our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) of course).

The legacy that he built changed the course of history. From a handful of desert Arabs, he laid the foundations of one of the greatest civilisations in history and the most powerful intellectual-social-spiritual revolutions in the world.

So, that’s what you and I have inherited!

Now will we turn our backs to such an inheritance and allow it to be plundered and lost?

What we all need to understand is that if this Book and that man (pbuh) within a short span of 23 years can transform a complete community and then the whole world, then imagine the positive transformation that awaits you and I.

The Prophet’s way is THE way to greatness.

Come and join our community of like-minded and like-hearted ambitious and aspirational Muslims and begin your journey, today.

If there is one thing that sets Islamic Science apart from science developed in other civilizations, it is that Muslim scientists emphasized observation and experimentation. The question is, why would they do that? Take the case of Ibn Nafis, a 13th-century Muslim physician who was a Shafi'i jurist and a Hadith scholar as well. He is the first to discover the minor circulation of the blood. How did he do that? He studied the ancient Greek physician Galen's theory that blood flows between the right and left ventricles through holes in the walls of the heart and put it to the test of observation. He concluded that the great Greek physician was wrong and that blood reaches the left ventricle through the lungs, thus providing the first explanation of the minor circulation of blood, 300 years before William Harvey.

Another example comes from the 12th-century physician Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi. He wrote a description of a famine that occurred in Egypt in the 1200s. After examining a large number of skeletons, asking other people to conduct their own independent examinations, he arrived at the conclusion that Galen's description of the bones of the lower jaw was erroneous, demonstrating the Muslim approach of questioning great scientists and their theories on the basis of experimental examination. The big question is, why are Muslim scientists emphasizing observation and experimentation? This is the central pillar of modern science, and what is it that inspired the Muslim scientists to become the founders of this approach?

The answer is simple: Muslim scientists of the Golden Age, for the most part, were also religious scholars. Islamic science developed based on the general Islamic and Quranic worldview of the Muslims of that era. The Quran, almost on every page, directs the reader to observe and contemplate nature. Throughout the Quran, human observation of nature is preferred numerous times over hypothetical theories that people hold on to.

Allah says in the Quran: "Travel through the earth and observe how He began creation?" (29:20) Or He says: “Indeed in the creation of the universe and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are Signs for those who understand” (3:190). What are signs? These are things to be observed; these are things to be seen. This Quranic emphasis on careful observation of physical phenomena led Muslim scientists to lay down the principles of what we now call modern science. As Muzaffar Iqbal sums it up well: "It was the Quran's urgent invitation to act that provided the earliest stimulus for reflection on nature.

The Quran contained a large number of verses that called attention to the harmony, symmetry, and order present in the natural world. This invitation to reflect on nature was such an insistent theme of the Quran that no one could ignore it, not even those who did not believe in its message. One cannot overemphasize the central position that the Quran holds in the development of the Islamic Scientific tradition.”

Medicine was one of the first few sciences, along with astronomy, that developed very early on, in the very lifetime of the Prophet (saw). A new kind of medicine emerged, known as “Prophetic Medicine,” a collection of Hadith that outlined general hygienic practices, recommended treatments for some diseases, and some rules related to eating, drinking, and other activities.

The famous scholar Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya compiled all of these in his book Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine), which is the primary source of Islamic homeopathy. But one of the greatest achievements of Islam and its significant contributions to the modern world is the hospital. The United States National Library of Medicine credits the institution of a hospital as being an invention of the Islamic civilization.

Did you know that the first hospital in Islam was the mobile hospital, located in a tent during the Battle of Khandaq (627 CE), set up by the instruction of the Prophet himself (saw)? Quickly, the idea of mobile hospitals evolved into fully functional hospitals in all big cities of the Muslim world. Between the 9th and 13th centuries, five hospitals were built in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, Rayy, Mecca, and Medina. These were called Bimaristans. Resembling the modern hospital complex, these Bimaristans were the first to require medical diplomas to license doctors.

Medical students were given rigorous training, both in theory and practice, by the chief physician of the Bimaristan, and only after passing the final exam would receive a licence to practice medicine. It was during this period that specializations began to emerge, such as general practitioners, surgeons, ophthalmologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists, dentists, and even something niche like biomedical engineering. Al Zahrawi was the first biomedical engineer.

The Bimaristans had separate wards for different diseases, a library for doctors, a pharmacy, and a laboratory within the building. Every department had an officer-in-charge and a supervising specialist. By the 10th century, laws were passed to keep hospitals open 24 hours a day. Baghdad was also known to have a separate hospital for convicts.

How did the concept of a hospital go on to become the global necessity it is now? It was not until the 13th century that Europe finally began to adopt the Islamic hospital. In the words of historian George Sarton: “We have reason to believe that when, during the Crusades, Europe at last began to establish hospitals, they were inspired by the Arabs of the Near East. The first hospital in Paris was founded by Louis IX after his return from the Crusade of 1254-1260.”

But while the hospital may be a Muslim invention, there is a big difference between the Islamic hospital and the modern hospital and healthcare in general. The Islamic hospitals, or Bimaristans, were 100% free, complete philanthropic institutions. Even though the budgets were high for the maintenance of these complexes, including the salaries of the doctors, all of that was taken care of by state endowments. On the contrary, modern healthcare is a big money-making machine. Right now, a simple procedure like extracting a tooth in the US may cost, on average, $700.

In the Golden Age of Islam, complicated treatments like removing tumors, gynecology, and the treatment of contagious diseases were done at no cost. All this because the Prophet (saw), in many of his sayings, emphasized that care for the patient was one of the most noble acts in Islam, and the alleviation of any physical harm from people was a deed most beloved to Allah.

The Quran and the Hadith provided the necessary stimulus for a great revolution in medical science in the Muslim world. The Quran emphasized 'observation' of nature, which led Muslim scientists to pioneer clinical and experimental medicine. Experimentation and observation are the central pillars of modern science, which was a Muslim/Quranic contribution.

Hospitals were a Muslim invention. They were called Bimaristans. These Bimaristans greatly resemble modern hospitals in their functionality. Inspired by Prophet Muhammad's teachings, Islamic hospitals were complete philanthropic institutions that charged no fee.

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Some of the great achievements of the house of wisdom include Al Farghani's estimation of the earth's circumference that was later used by Columbus in his trans-atlantic journey. Also important medical texts were translated from Greek to Arabic. Even the great scientist and father of Chemistry Jabir bin Hayyan also must have been associated with the House of Wisdom. Now the big question we ask today is Can we as Muslims in the 21st century revive this heritage?

We have been speaking a lot about how to build a city and society up from scratch. But how do you destroy it?

Well, you can do what the Mongols did, and invade - like they did in Baghdad. Or you can be more subtle and re-engineer a society from within...

1. His full name was Abu Rayhan Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni. Born on September 4, 973 CE in Khwarezm, Khorasan (modern-day Uzbekistan,) Al-Biruni studied science tirelessly until his death in 1052 CE.

2. He discovered seven different ways of finding the direction of the north and south, many centuries before the rest of the world, Al-Biruni discussed that the earth rotated on its axis and made accurate calculations of latitude and longitude. These observations are contained in his book "Al-Athar Al-Baqia."

3. Al-Biruni excelled in geometry and arithmetic, he possessed considerable knowledge of algebra too.Besides having expertise in spherical trigonometry, Al-Biruni was an adept in Indian arithmetic. He wrote Rashikat-al-Hind (The Zodiac in India).

4. In a nutshell, Al-Biruni’s works total 146 books,from voluminous anthropology to complex astronomy and astrology; from composite chemistry to comparative sociology; from scientific mathematics to phenomenal physics; and yet more demanding from behavioral psychology to principle philosophy.

5. A crater on the moon has been christened ‘Al-Biruni’, as a mark of tribute to this great scholar.The town where he was born is now named Biruni, in honour of this great scholar. Al-Biruni was a true Muslim Scientist who benefitted from both the Islamic guidance and scientific investigations. He said:

"My experience in the study of astronomy and geometry and experiments in physics revealed to me that there must be a Planning Mind of Unlimited Power. My discoveries in Astronomy showed that there are fantastic intricacies in the universe which prove that there is a creative system and a meticulous control that cannot be explained through sheer physical and material causes."

One of the core problems with the world today is that education does not play the role that it is suposed to play. Education today has become a means to indoctrinate and secularize. When on the contrary it was supposed to liberate and enlighten. We want to revive that feature of education Insha Allah !