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KKKKasasasashfhfhfhf AlAlAlAl----GGGGhuhuhuhuyyyyumumumum

۩ History of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic Civilization ۩

Written and Translated by He WhoWritten and Translated by He WhoWritten and Translated by He WhoWritten and Translated by He Who

Stands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’ala

Abu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan Al----JarraryJarraryJarraryJarrary

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Kashf AlKashf AlKashf AlKashf Al----GGGGhuyum huyum huyum huyum

۩ History of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic CivilizationHistory of Islamic Civilization ۩

WrittenWrittenWrittenWritten and Translated by He Whoand Translated by He Whoand Translated by He Whoand Translated by He Who

Stands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’alaStands in Need of Allah Ta’ala

Abu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan AlAbu Ja’far Adnan Al----JarraryJarraryJarraryJarrary

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Introduction

Praise be to Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

{O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.} (Al-‘Imran: 102), {O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand your (mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.} (An-Nisa’: 1), {O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement.} (Al-Ahzab: 70-71). To proceed: The most truthful speech is that of Allah’s Book (the Qur’an), and the best of guidance is that of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The worst of evils are the muhdathat (newly invented matters in the religion), and every innovated matter is a bid’ah, every bid’ah is a dalalah (misguidance), and every dalalah is in Hell Fire. Qur’an is a light that guides towards glory and paths of success. Whensoever a nation maintains a nurturing relationship with it, righteousness and prosperity abound in it. However, if a nation distances itself from the Book, it becomes like a bird with a broken wing. The Truthful and Faithful Prophet ─may Allah bless him and grant him peace─ has said: [By this Book, Allah would exalt some peoples and degrade others.] (Sahih: Muslim). He also mentioned: [I give you glad tidings! Verily, one end of this Qur’an is in the Hand of Allah, and one end is in your hands, so cling to it.] (Sahih: Aljame’, Al-Albany). Therefore, if you wonder why has our Ummah (Nation) fallen behind and weakened in this day and age? Know that it has done so because Muslims have distanced themselves from Qur’an, the Book of Allah, and the Sunnah of His Prophet ─may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Arabs, Turks and other societies were intellectually sunken in deep slumber. Suddenly, Qur’an came and changed them in a short period of time from an extreme state of stagnation and ignorance, to a climax of civilization and a stage of applaudable scientific achievement. How did this come about? Verily, the Ummah of Islam was the first to send millions of children to school. The purpose was to have them memorize the Holy Qur'an. However, the removal of such high figures of illiteracy led to the birth of an unprecedented scientific revolution, which changed the course of history, introduced

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the schooling of every child to mankind, and built the pillars of modern science. The scientific experience of Muslim geniuses started in the Qur'anic school during their childhood. The Ayat (verses) of the Book ─which encourage us to ponder upon the Creation of Allah─ helped them choose their specialties. Thus, Qur'an is a Manara (lighthouse) that reveals all paths of wisdom to mankind, and for every beneficial discipline, there are certain ayat that incite us to reflect on it. The Opener, and All Knowing jalla wa ‘ala, said: {We have sent down to you the Book as an exposition of everything} (An-Nahl: 89). Unfortunately, most people today are unaware of this truth. While non-believers judge Islam only by the deplorable state of our contemporary Ummah (Nation), many untaught Muslims think that a clingy attachment to the Book and Sunnah would have a bearing on our overall improvement. Yet, what both groups do not realize is that modern civilization and scientific progress are a direct result of Qur’anic guidance and the Sunnah of our Prophet ─The best of peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Muslims laid indeed the basis for most of the contemporary sciences. They also built a consequential portion of their laws, theories, and experimental procedures, due to an immense intuition from the Most High and Powerful subhanahu, Who said: {He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them (from the filth of disbelief and polytheism), and teaching them the Book (Qur’an) and the Wisdom (Sunnah). And verily, they had been before in manifest error.} (Jumu’ah: 2). However, when Muslims neglected their Religion, Allah removed their might! Then, modern scientists came into a structure that already had a well thought-out plan for construction, and a perfectly defined design strategy. They only had to follow the pattern to build today’s technology ─and we are thankful to them after Allah for their achievements. Scientists know that the discovery of basic theories and the invention of methods and tools for experimentation are the most crucial part of any research. Therefore, it is simply absurd that hardly any voices recognize the outstanding contributions of Muslims in the growth of human civilization. If it is claimed that this transfer of Islamic knowledge during the Renaissance resembled what had occurred in 700 BC, when early Muslims copied the work of the Greeks, we say that the two events were largely dissimilar. According to many history of science experts ─such as Sigrid Hunke in her book “Allah’s Sun over the Occident”─, the amount of knowledge that Muslims took from the Greeks was very modest if compared to the vast amount of sciences that Islam left for Europe. It is most unfair to draw a comparison here, for we know that Muslim scientists surpassed ─and did without─ the manuscripts of the Greeks shortly after translating them, whereas Europe did not match the Eastern Academic standard for one thousand years of exposure to it.

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The full title of this book in the Arabic version is “Kashf Al-Ghuyum ‘amma Qaddamah Al-Muslimun min Hadaratin wa ‘Ulum”, which means: “Clearance of the Clouds to Reveal the Civilization and the Sciences that Muslims Have Presented”. Though designed to be short, it is an entertaining and highly informative book, as it contains a large amount of proof and documented arguments to indicate that Qur’an is the originator of mankind’s well-being, and the source of wisdom for various sciences that have ameliorated our conditions on earth and facilitated our overall sustenance. Without modern science, humanity could have faced some tough challenges, due to the recent exponential increase in population, and the impracticability of a primitive life on our populous planet. Each page in “Kashf Al-Ghuyum” is allocated to a science, or to an aspect of civilization. The title at the top is followed by a symbolic picture to illustrate a benefit that humans derived today, from a Muslim knowledge of many centuries away. Then, I chose some Ayat that correspond to the topic of the page, in order to remind the reader that Qur’an was the source of guidance from which every Muslim scientist departed in early childhood. Authenticated proofs and dated accomplishments were laid out in all the subjects, which clears with Allah’s permission some of the clouds that obstruct this Religion’s 'sunlight', turns away the plots of the envious and the apostate, and builds a solid argument against all those who doubt the guidance of the Bountiful Qur’an. A few years ago, the True and Ultimate King ─Allah jalla fi ‘ulah─ wanted Prince Charles ─heir to the British monarchy─ to admit the role of Islam in the birth of European civilization. The prince said: “If there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilization owe to the Islamic world. It is a failure, which stems, I think, from the straight-jacket of history, which we have inherited. The medieval Islamic world, from central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because we have tended to see Islam as the enemy of the West, as an alien culture, society, and system of belief, we have tended to ignore or erase its great relevance to our own history.” This speech of the crown prince of Britain was given in the renowned University of Oxford, which was the one educational institution that benefited the most from Muslims’ sciences during the Renaissance. Praise be to Allah, the All-Rich, the All-Giving to His obedient slaves from the treasures of His lights. Surely, we were not to find guidance, had He not guided us ─subhanahu wa bihamdih. I ask Him ─ ‘azza wa jall─ to reform our conditions, and to provide us with sincerity in all our actions. Peace and blessings be upon Mohammad, the slave and Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions. California: 16/03/1430 Hijrah Abu Ja’far Al-Jarrary

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MEDICINE

The Creator, and Maker ‘azza wa jall, said: {And indeed We created man out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah (male and female sexual discharge) in a safe lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot, then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So, Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.} (Al-Muminum: 12-14). ______________________________________________________________________ The first hospital in the world was built by the Umayyad Caliph Ibn ‘Abdelmalek in 88 Hjr. Then, many Islamic cities like Marrakesh, Cordoba, Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo became famous for their advanced hospitals. They offered various forms of free health care to all members of society, including diagnosis, treatment, emergency, and surgery; along with good ethics —as was mentioned in the 3rd History of Medicine Conference in Doha. If the patient entered those hospitals, he was subject to many diagnostic steps, such as checking the temperature, heart beat, urine, liver and bowel. After his disease was recognized, he was sent to a section that specialized in his condition. If he was to stay in, he was given new clothes, his belongings were stored, and his name was written down in order to send money to his family during his illness and recovery. Also, look at the bottom of the picture, all the surgery instruments on the plate —and many others— were made by Az-Zahrawi, who was the greatest surgeon in history. Az-Zahrawi founded surgery and built its instruments in the 4th Hjr century. He wrote “Attasrif” in 30 volumes, which was the first encyclopedia in this field and an indispensable reference in Europe for many centuries. He also was the pioneer of vascular surgery, as in reconstruction of cut arteries and the usage of ligatures to stop bleeding. He invented cosmetic surgery, silk stitches and golden dental braces. Many surgical instruments that he designed —and chose materials for— are still used today, like the catgut, scalpel, curette, hook, retractor, forceps and more. Az-Zahrawi performed many surgeries, several centuries before the world knew them, like caesarean sections, and bladder stone, throat and thyroid surgery. In each operation, he would anesthetize the patient, in order for him to sleep and not feel the pain. In ophthalmology, ‘ Ibn ‘Ali did the first eye surgery, when he invented a hollow needle and inserted it in the limbus between the cornea and conjunctiva to remove eyes’ cataract —that used to cause blindness. The same method is still used today! Ibn 'Ali wrote “Al-Muntakhab”, which contained the cure of 48 eye illnesses and is displayed today in the Museum of Madrid. Khalifa ibn Al-Mahasin described 36 instruments of eye surgery in a book of 564 pages, and explained how images are sent from an eye to a brain. Also, Ibn Nafis was the first to describe in detail the full blood circulation, and not the Spaniard who copied his work as many honest Westerners confirmed. He discovered that blood moved from the heart to the lungs, before returning to the heart to be pumped again. He too left us many books, such as “Sharh At-Tashrih”: a dissection of the heart, throat and lungs.

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MATHEMATICS

The All-Surrounding, and Reckoner jalla wa ‘ala, has said: {And that you may know the number of the years. And we have explained everything (in detail) with full explanation.} (Al-Isra’: 12). He also mentioned subhanahu: {He is the swiftest in taking account.} (Al-An’am: 62). He, tabaraka wa ta’ala, has stated: {He keeps count of all things (i.e. He knows the exact number of everything.)} (Al-Jinn: 28). ______________________________________________________________________ Muslim scientists invented a gigantic portion of mathematics’ branches that are taught in universities today. If it were not for their achievements in this domain, mankind would not have reached this technological progress, whose entire sector depends on mathematics. Thus, algebra, differentials, geometry, series, arithmetic, statistics and trigonometry are all mathematical sciences that Muslim geniuses have come upon, with revelations from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, Jinn and all that exists). Then, Muslims left theses sciences as an easy take for the West, due to the lagging of their successors, and their deviation from the Religion. Al-Khawarizmi is considered the most notable mathematician in history. It was him who invented Al-Jabr —and named it so before the world called it algebra, the 2nd degree binomial functions, and the Arabic numerals (1,2,3..) —that are used all over the world, including zero which he introduced in advanced mathematics. He, in addition, is famous for algorithms —a word derived from his name Al-Khawarizmi, which are the basis of computer science. Al-Khawarizmi produced the first tables of sinus and cosinus, and joined trigonometry with astronomy. Muslims knew many important math sciences before other nations, like differential calculus and analytical geometry, through which they found the volumes of various 3D objects. They also modernized the mathematics of astronomy, trigonometric functions and linear algebra equations. In addition, Al-Bairuni discovered the theory of gravity before Newton —as Cadel Boyd said in ‘History of Mathematics’, while Al-Khayyam Annistaburi was the father of 3rd and 4th degree functions. Also, Ghayyat Ad-Din Al-Kashi discovered logic, the decimal fractions used in calculators, and π = 3.14; while Baha’ Ad-Din Al-’Amili was the genius behind Series, etc . . . Mathematics is the corner stone of modern technology. Therefore, engineering students in all specialties spend the first half of their college education learning pure mathematics, before they engage in any applications. During that period, they find out whether they can become engineers. If they cannot grasp mathematics, they change their major, and if they understand it, they realize that they can master the rest of the classes. This proves that the portion invented and explained by Muslims is harder and more important, while applied math —which is more recent— is relatively easy. Verily, the theories that Muslims came up with are like well-designed “Lego” pieces, from which modern technology constructed several combinations and shapes.

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CHEMISTRY

The Most High, and Most Near tabaraka wa ta’ala, said: {And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record.} (Yunus: 61). He also said: {and caused to grow therein all kinds of things in due proportion. And We have provided therein means of living} (Al-Hijr: 19-20). ______________________________________________________________________ Chemistry is one of the most important sciences. Everything that we see —no matter how small it is— is made out of millions of molecules. Therefore, all our progress is a direct result of chemistry: chips, computers, medicine, pharmacy, and space exploration; they each depend in essence on chemistry. The man who founded this science, and freed it from Greek myths, was the 2nd Hjr century physician Jabir ibn Hayyan. Bacon, the English philosopher, said: “Jabir ibn Hayyan was the first to teach chemistry to the world, he is the Father of Chemistry.” The apparatus in the picture, and all other glass shapes that fill university labs today were made by Muslim chemists, who also invented most of the contemporary experimental methods, such as filtering, sublimation, crystallization, oxidation, highly sensitive scales and specific gravity measurements. Muslims were also pioneers in petroleum refinery, alcohol filtration, perfume preparation, and in the discovery of 2000 chemical matters. After Jabir ibn Hayyan’s death, people continued to name chemistry Jabir’s craft, for he showed us its single and compound matters, metals, oxidation, minerals, alkali, NaOH soda, potassium, and nitric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acids. These elements and others are the main constituents in experiments and in chemistry’s periodic table, and most of their names were coined by Jabir Ibn Hayyan. It was him who showed the importance of experimentation, precision and patience in all work. He established applied science and based it on experiments. Some of his famous inventions were: burn proof paper, waterproof clothing, making glass from MnO2, steel preparation, permanent coloring, and the prevention of iron’s rust. Jabir has hundreds of books, like “poisons and cures”: the link between chemistry and medicine, “Seventy Letters”: his important experiments and results, “Height of Perfection“: leader of chemistry in Europe for many centuries. The English call whatever they fail to understand gibberish, and the Oxford dictionary affirms that the word was taken from Jabir’s name in English: Geber. The famous chemistry historian Eric Holmyard said that Jabir’s role in chemistry is equal to Boyle’s and Lavoisier’s. However, in spite of their wide knowledge, we do not agree with this comparison, for the one who founded the laws should not be made equal to the one who built on top of them. The page is too small to include more scientists. So, I say briefly that Al-Majriti —Majrit is Madrid— invented the conservation of matter law, and Al-Jaldaki was the first to say that substances react with each other in fixed ratios. Braust claimed five centuries later that he was the owner of the idea, and called it the law of the three ratios. Also, Al-Kundi discovered that time, vacuum and motion are relative values to each other and to a spectator. His research was a foundation for Einstein's Relativity.

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ASTRONOMY

The Ever Living Sustainer of All subhanahu, said: {Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.} (Al ‘Imran: 190-191). ______________________________________________________________________ People believed that earth was flat. Then, Muslim astronomers came and proved, with guidance from Allah, then with physics, math, and experiments, that earth was round. They drew longitude and latitude lines, and declared that one solar year was 365 days, 6 h, 9 m, 10 s —off by 2 m, 22 s from modern calculation. They also knew the motion and orbits of various stars and planets, their distance from earth and from each other, as well as stellar risings, properties, and eclipses. They excelled with guidance from Allah ta’ala, then with their progress in math and physics, their building of several observatories in many regions, and their usage of highly precise instruments. Ibn Al-Haytham invented the first qumra —camera— in history, which enabled humans to see for the 1st time clear images of stars and planets on a glass surface. Muslims discovered many stars —which the world still calls by Arabic names— and measured their dimensions. There are 18 names of Muslim astronomers on the moon today, which the International Astronomy Organization placed to recognize their role in moon landing —success is from Allah. Some of them are: Ibn Hayyan, Al-Fizari, Al-Farghani, and Al-Bairuni. Muslims discovered in the 4th Hjr century many theories, planets and stars that astonish today’s scientists. They wrote many books in this field, from which the Europeans were taught during the Renaissance. Also, they specified the orbits, positions of planets, and their elevation, inclination, and motion, while using complex and highly precise math. One of their biggest achievements was finding the distance from earth’s furthest orbit to the sun as being 573 times the diameter of earth, and 535 times the diameter from its closest orbit. These numbers are very close to modern measurements! Some of our great astronomers are: the genius physicist Ibn Yunus, for whom the Fatimids built an observatory on mount Al-Maqtam, and filled it with machines and instruments, due to his great skill. He was the real inventor of the pendulum clock —not Galileo—, according to honest European historians. Al-Bairuni, found that earth turned around itself, came up with the famous Biruni theory —still used today— to calculate earth’s circumference, and wrote 120 books, some of which were translated to English, French and German. An amazing discovery was made by Al-‘Amili, who predicted in his book 'Al-Kashkul' the positions and eclipses of earth for an observer on the moon. His descriptions were found accurate 4 centuries later when man went on the moon. The genius Ibn Farnas built the 1st planetarium ever, which he designed in his house. It was a gigantic dome that included stars, planets, meteors, aerolites, lightening, and thunder. Princes, scientists and notables were very impressed by his dazzling museum.

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PHYSICS

The Exalted and Most Great ‘azzawajall said: {Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you can see.} (Ar-Ra’d: 2). {It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.} (Ya-Sin: 40). {Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom} (An-Nisa’: 40). ______________________________________________________________________ University of Strasbourg issued a book about Ja’far ibn Muhammad —a descendant of ‘Ali (r)— who spoke about atoms in amazing detail in the 2nd Hjr century, saying: “The Universe was built from small particles with 2 opposing poles, which produced an atom, and in this method, matter came to a varied existence. This variety is a result of the density or rarity of atoms.” The instrument in the picture measures specific gravity, which is an Islamic invention to find infinitely small masses of a variety of bodies. Specific gravity is very crucial in physics, due to its wide usage in the industrial world, and in scientific experiments that require high precision. Recently, egyptologist Petrie measured three Arabic coins from medieval times and found that their masses were extremely identical, and that the difference between them was no more than 0.000333 g. Then, he said: “We cannot reach this precision in masses, except by using highly accurate scales, placed in glass containers to lessen the effect of air pressure, and with a repetition of measurements until there is no longer a difference between two bodies. Therefore, this degree of accuracy is above imagination and unsurpassed in history.” Al-Khazini is a famous Muslim physicist from the 6th Hjr century. He wrote many books about scales, mechanics and hydrostatics, like “Mizan Al-Hikmah” —Scale of Wisdom— in which he recorded the specific gravity of many minerals and liquids, after he invented Al-Khazin, which was an instrument with a precision of modern systems. He also was the first to discover the weight, density, and pressure of air, after studying its effects on bodies that are immersed in it. Al-Khazini’s results led to the invention of a barometer by the Italian Toricelli 500 years later. He also explained the phenomenons of gravity, center of mass, and capillary action. In addition, Europe was using his books from an early age until recently. In the same century, physicist Ibn Malka became a famous genius in dynamics. He was the true inventor of the 1st and 2nd laws of motion —and not Newton—, as is clearly proven in his book “Al-Mu’tabar”, wherein he said

about the 2nd law (ΣF= ma): “Every motion is certainly in a time frame. The stronger the force is, the faster the motion, and the shorter the time. If the force does not tend to zero, the speed does not tend to zero. Thus, the motion outside of time becomes stronger, for the removal of time from speed is an end to the force.” After hearing these words, it is easy to do a few experiments to check their validity, and spontaneously find the 2nd Law of Motion. Therefore, the merit goes to Ibn Malka —after Allah— for the discovery of physics' finest law. Also, Al-Bairuni —whom historian Edward Schaw described as the greatest mind in history— excelled in mechanics of liquids, hydrostatics, and geology. For instance, he explained that minerals expand with the rise of temperature, and identified the factors that affect the pressure and balance of liquids.

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OPTICS

The Most Kind, and Gracious jalla wa ‘ala, said: {As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing} (An-Nur: 39). {darkness upon darkness: if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light.} (An-Nur: 40). He also said: {And has made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp} (Nuh: 16). ______________________________________________________________________ We shall present on this page Ibn Al-Haytham, who was nicknamed “The Prince of Light.” Renowned historian George Sarton said about him: “Ibn Haytham’s writings reveal his fine development of the experimental faculty. [He is] not only the greatest Muslim physicist, but by all means the greatest of medieval times.” Allah ta’ala endowed Ibn Al-Haytham with many treasures from His Light. Therefore, he excelled in ophthalmology, established optics as a new science, and acquired an immense knowledge about lights, eyes, and images.

Ibn Al-Haytham discovered that moonlight was a reflection of sunlight, and that the moon’s dark spots are due to the mineral composition of its surface. It was Ibn Al-Haytham who invented the qumra, —a name that later became camera—, after he noticed that an image on the wall resulted from the passage of light through two holes in window shutters. Then, he found that the smaller the hole the better the image. Thus, the qumra became the first telescope in the world, since it was used to discover many stars, and to know their dimensions and distances. Ibn Al-Haytham founded the science of mirrors, which he used in making eye glasses. He also was the first to explain that vision was the result of straight light rays directed from the visible object to the human eye. On the other hand, he achieved detailed dissections of the eye, showed the role of each part, and taught ophthalmologists their medicine and surgery. His book “Al-Manathir” is considered a scientific revolution in optics, as it removed most of the false beliefs of that time, and replaced them with a thorough explanation that agrees with modern optics. In addition to what we previously mentioned, his book also included topics such as: reflection and refraction of light, catoptrics, spherical and parabolic mirrors, spherical aberration, twilight and rainbow phenomenons, eclipses and moon illusions.

Ibn Al-Haytham did not only excel in optics. His accomplishments were in many other scientific fields, as he was the author of 200 books in engineering, natural science, astronomy, arithmetic, algebra, medicine, physics, logic, and even in behavioral sciences. Such was the course of all ancient Muslim geniuses. They used to cover most fields of knowledge, and expand in each of them. Nevertheless, they would not engage in any of it before memorizing the Qur’an and the Hadith, and absorbing their Fiqh. Consequently, Allah had the doors of wisdom and inventiveness wide open for them.

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AERODYNAMICS

The Most Exalted, and All-Glorious ‘azza wa jall, said: {Do they not see the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them but Allah. Verily, in this are clear Ayat (proofs and signs) for a people who believe.} (An-Nahl: 79). He also said subhanahu: {Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except the Most Gracious (Allah). Verily, He is All-Seer of everything.} (Al-Mulk: 19). ______________________________________________________________________ Historians claim that the first flight was made by the Wright brothers who were able to fly successfully in 1903. But in reality, the first man to fly was Abbas ibn Farnas in the 3rd Hjr century

—9th Roman century. This means that he flew 1000 years before the Wright brothers. Ibn Farnas was an Andalusian inventor and poet from Granada, as well as a bright scientist in physics, mathematics, engineering, astronomy, medicine, chemistry and more areas. Ibn Farnas’ mastery of many sciences was the reason why he was able to fly. He dissected several birds and studied their aerodynamics from an anatomical perspective. Then, he carried out many experiments on various bodies and shapes in order to observe the effects that air resistance and pressure had on flight. He also used chemistry and physics to make a feather garment and to design two wings made of white silk, which had a strength that corresponded to human weight. After studying his project from every angle, he concluded that he was able to fly. Thus, Ibn Farnas stretched two long wings, covered himself with feathers, and called people out to Ar-Risafa, which was an elevated area in the city of Cordoba. When the residents gathered to see the human bird, Ibn Farnas jumped from a high altitude, while flapping the silken wings with his two arms. He flew in the sky of Cordoba to a far away distance from his take-off point, in front of dazzled spectators. However, when he tried to land, he fell on the ground and injured his back. His landing was unsuccessful because he did not know that birds landed with their tails, and did not fabricate one for his performance. Though his descent was painful, he was the first man to soar in the sky and rejoice at a flight. After his accomplishment, jealous people envied him for his talent, and falsely accused him of changing the natural Creation of Allah. It is said that, for that reason, he was sentenced to permanent home confinement. Ibn Farnas’ work was one of the most wonderful inventions in human history, for it preceded its kind by one thousand years,

and it resulted from an amazing scientific research during —what Europe calls— the Dark Age. Ibn Farnas was also a pioneer in astronomy, as he created many of its instruments and excelled in it from an experimental and theoretical approach. Finally, he was famous for his planetarium,

which we mentioned in the page of astronomy, and which —in addition to its highly precise scientific relevance— was considered a baffling work of fine art. Anyone who saw it, felt as if he was looking at a real sky.

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WINDMILLS

The Strong, and Firm subhanahu, said: {and in the turning about of the winds, are signs for a people who understand.} (Al-Jathiyah: 5). In addition, He said ‘azza wa jall: {And among His Signs is that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful.} (Ar-Rum: 46). ______________________________________________________________________ Muslims called engineering the Science of Tricks. Many of our honorable scholars distinguished themselves in this field, especially after their progress in physics, mathematics and chemistry. They invented some very advanced machines that benefited the whole world throughout the ages. One of these great inventions was the windmill, which in fact first appeared in Persia, where it was used for irrigation and grinding. However, its manufacture was primitive and its yield was relatively small. In the 4th Hjr century, Al-Mas’udi —a descendant of Ibn Mas’ud (r)— mentioned in his book “Muruj Adh-Dhahab” that a Persian man suggested to the caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab (r) the usage of a windmill. The prince of the believers agreed and had it built. Genius Muslim engineers added several improvements to its design, which magnified the yield to 10 tons of flour per day. Highly populated Islamic cities like Baghdad, Cairo and Cordoba started using this new invention and were able to feed big numbers of residents. Windmills were constructed on hilltops and castle towers. The milling stone was placed in the top floor, while the rotary was in the bottom. In addition, funnels that increased wind speed were drilled into the wall. The advancement in geology led to the fabrication of solid stone mills with a homogeneous composition, which prevented cracks and crumbles from damaging the flour. Each region picked a nearby mountain for such stones. For instance, North Africa used the stone of Tunisian Mijanah, and in Iraq the black stone from Al-Jazeerah was preferred, while in Khurasan, the rocky surroundings of Harut were best. Muslims also had watermills that used the current of rivers, such as the ones on the bridge of Cordoba. Certain mills made paper, like in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, while others crushed gold, pumped water, and did many other tasks. In the beginning of the Renaissance, this Islamic technique moved to Europe by way of Andalusia. Concurrently, the famous Spanish novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha” was released. It was a 1605 BC fiction story about a knight who fought windmills, which depicted the abundance of this invention in Andalusia after the departure of Muslims. With the advance of modern technology, windmills became less popular, and people found new methods to grind grains and pump water. However, they are coming back again in many developed countries to be used for the generation of electricity. Today, windmills are a very important source of renewable energy because the wind is ever-blowing in many regions of the world, whereas oil and gas will soon be used up, due to an extensive human consumption. So, Praise be to Allah the Most Kind and Gracious, who showed us this beneficent bounty from the treasures of His Light, and we weren’t to be guided if He did not guide us subhanahu.

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CLOCK

The All-Seeing, and Watchful ‘azza wa jall, said: {Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.} (An-Nisa’: 103). {And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise), honored.} (Al-Ma’arij: 34-35). He also said: {those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained) and to their covenants} (Al-Mu’minun: 8). ______________________________________________________________________ After the progress in engineering during the 3rd Hjr century, the caliph Harun Ar-Rasheed dedicated an extraordinary clock to Charlemagne the king of France. It was an immense hydraulic machine that covered an entire wall, and was made from leather and sculptured yellow copper. At the tick of the hour, metal balls fell into a copper plate producing an enjoyable resonance that reached all the rooms of the palace. Immediately after, one of 12 doors on this marvelous clock would open, a metallic horseman would circle the large machine, reenter from where it exited, and the door would shut behind it. Each door corresponded to a certain hour, and when it was 12 o’clock, all shutters opened, 12 horsemen exited simultaneously, circled the machine and reentered the same doors that they came out of. Charlemagne and his officers were dazzled by the splendor of this wonderful clock. However, the priests believed that a demon was in charge of it. One night, they stroke it together and destroyed it! Muslims were excellent in the making of amazing clocks that produced a series of functions at the turn of the hour. After Al-Ma’mun succeeded to the throne of his father Ar-Rasheed, he sent the king of France another mechanical clock that was moved by metallic balls and chains. We still see that same design today on antique wall-clocks. Islamic cities were famous for their perfectly engineered clocks. Damascus ‘The Bride of the Orient’ had an entrance that was called ‘the Door of Clocks.’ Ibn Katheer said in ‘Bidaya and Nihaya’ that it had: “copper birds, a copper snake, and a crow. If the hour ticked, the snake came out, the birds whistled, the crow cawed, a stone fell into a pot, and the people knew that one hour elapsed.” Ibn Jubair said about that same clock: “At night, it had a different planning, … in an arch there were 12 copper rings … each ring had a glass surface … behind each glass there was a lamp around which water flowed according to time. If the hour passed, the lamplight covered the whole frame, and rays were emitted and shown to the public as red circles. The same procedure would pass on to the next ring until the night is complete and all rings would become red.” He added: “An amazing plan that seems like magic.” People in old times used sun and sand clocks. Then, Islamic civilization rose and our honorable scientists invented many kinds of advanced clocks that showed the exact time in a permanent way. The best achievement in this field was Ibn Yunus’ pendulum clock in the 4th Hjr century, which was a scientific revolution that enabled clocks to have modern accuracy. Muslims understood the laws of oscillation and used them in the making of ticking clocks, calculators and telescopes 650 years before Galileo based his mechanics of oscillation on their work. Finally, remember the European antique wall clocks! Most of them have Damascus’ bird and Ibn Yunus’ pendulum!

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COMPASS

The Patron, and Self-Exalted jalla wa ‘ala, said: {Verily, We have seen the turning of your face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces in that direction.} (Al-Baqarah: 144). ______________________________________________________________________ In his world travels, man depended on shades and stars to determine his direction, and often got lost or his voyage was disrupted if he ran into fog or clouds —especially in the sea. When Islam came, people needed an instrument that would remove this complication to facilitate conquests and determine Qiblah. Thus, our scholars invented the compass, which brought much ease and safekeeping of time and souls, and eased the path for explorations that crossed unknown oceans and ended in success. Muslims knew about magnetism since the 1st Hjr century. Around 324 Hjr, Ibn Al-Faqih said in ‘Aja’ib Al-Buldan’: “One of the wonders in the Imid mountain is: if a knife, iron, or sword are rubbed on it, they attract needles more than magnets, and they stay attractive for 100 years.” In the 5th Hjr century, Muslim sailors began to use simple magnetic needles. In 681 Hjr, Al-Qabqaji said about a voyage on an Arabic ship: “When it is dark and the guiding stars are invisible, captains take a water-filled vessel to the bottom of the ship, to get rid of the wind. They pull a needle that is inserted in a wooden ring, or across a stem, and they let it float in the vessel. Then, they move a fist-sized magnetic stone in a counter-clockwise motion, causing the needle to move, and they swiftly pull their hand. Thus, the needle shows the direction with one end to the south and one end to the north. I witnessed this method in a boat trip from Sham’s Tripoli to Alexandria in 640 Hjr.” Around 896 Hjr, oceanographer Ibn Majid invented the first real compass after disregarding the water vessels that captains used, and replacing them with a stunningly engineered device, in which he placed the needle on a gear, making the compass mechanical. Ibn Majid said about this work in ‘Al-Faw’id’: “One of our inventions in oceanography is the construction of a magnet onto the needle system itself. We have wisdom in it that is unfound in any book.” Some claim that the compass is an invention of Flavio the Italian, but the fair experts admit the falsehood of this claim. German Sigrid Hunke said: “We consider Flavio Gioja from Amalfi in Italy to be the inventor of the compass. But the truth is that Flavio knew this instrument from Arabs.” Hunke also said that after historical truth surfaced, the West claimed that Flavio improved the Arabic instrument “in order to save his reputation from plagiarism and false pretense.” Also, Engineer Arif Samman discredited the claim of a Chinese origin, saying: “Some scholars showed that the oldest description of a magnetic needle in Chinese manuscripts goes back to an 1119 (540 Hjr) Chinese author from the port of Canton who ‘saw on foreign ships that came from the west a needle that always pointed south and showed them the way.’ Sarton said: ‘Those foreigners were Muslim captains from Arabia and Persia, for navigation in that time and place was theirs.’ […] history of science experts like Sarton, Sédillot, Hunke and LeBon all agree [that the compass is Arabic].”

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POLITICAL SCIENCE

The Judge, and Wise jalla wa ‘ala, said: {and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation.} (Ash-Shura: 38). He also stated: {and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah} (Al ‘Imran: 159). ______________________________________________________________________ Islam brought the best political system for mankind, which was consultation under the laws of Qur’an and Sunnah. To the contrary, communism and democracy are no more than dreams, whose good intentions cannot be achieved without going back to the rule of the Owner of All Sovereignty, the Lord of Majesty and Generosity. All the beautiful principles that are in modern systems exist in Islamic Law stripped of the corrupt principles. Thus, the dream of a happy mankind cannot come true without using Shari’a, {And who is better in judgment than Allah for a people who have firm Faith.} (Al-Ma’idah: 50). Political science in Islamic thought is a heritage of which every Muslim should be proud. Many scholars excelled in this domain, ameliorated Aristotle’s thoughts, and produced a lot of research and theories, due to the very active political life that Muslims had after expanding their empire and embracing many cultures and ethnicities. While some scholars were wise diplomats, like Ibn Khaldun and Al-Mawardi, others assisted the rulers and were able to shape some great thought. Ibn Abirrabee’ was the famous scholar who wrote ‘Suluk Al-Malik’ in which he started with Aristotle’s ideas about the social and civil nature of man, and expanded to show the types of systems and governments, the position of political science amongst other sciences, and the branches of government, like the executive, the judicial, the people’s, and the managerial. In the 5th Hjr century, Al-Mawardi was a great scholar, as well as a judge and a renowned official for the Abbasids. He wrote many books, like ‘Manners of Dunya and Deen’, ‘Sultan’s Rulings’, ‘Kings’ Advice’, and ‘Laws of the Viziers and Politics of the King’. He focused on National matters in his books, showed the duties of the caliph and viziers, and described in a practical and precise way how each executive power should deal with the people’s affairs. He also set certain limits to preserve overall safety, and to ensure the progress of society. The best diplomat and political science scholar ever was Ibn Khaldun from the 8th Hjr century. His job title was similar to what we call a minister of foreign affairs. He was sent to negotiate peace treaties between Muslim rulers, was close to many kings and princes, and helped make the tribes recognize the sultan of Telemsan after the fall of Constantine. When Damascus’ residents sent him to the Mongol tyrant Timor to ask for peace, he met with him personally and described him in his journals. Ibn Khaldun has many books like ‘Al-‘Ibar’. One of his famous quotes is: “The state lives many stages: It is built on the ruins of the previous state. The ruler takes over and erases all his partners. The state lives an era of calm, prosperity and harvesting, then an era of satisfaction and pacification in which the ruler coexists in peace with friends and enemies, then an era of extravagance and dissipation before being removed.” Gellner considered Ibn Khaldun’s definition of government, “An institution which prevents injustice other than such as it commits itself”, the best in the history of political theory.

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GEOGRAPHY

The Opener, and All Knowing subhanahu wa ta’ala, has affirmed: {and We have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another} (Al-Hujurat: 13). ______________________________________________________________________ Muslims valued geography since early times because of conquests and the expansion of their land from far-east to far-west. In the 3rd Hjr century, Al-Khawarizmi was a pioneer who paved the way for the growth of this science. He added many improvements and corrections to Ptolemy’s geography, as well as results from his own research. He also led a team of 70 geographers who made the 1st world map ever. In 308 Hjr, Al-Balkhi wrote ‘Surat al-Aqaleem’, which was an atlas of countries with 20 world regions and geographical data for each section. In the mid 4th century, Al-Istakhari toured many lands from India to the Atlantic and wrote ‘Paths of Kingdoms’, which is the oldest book of Islamic geography. He laid in it all the world’s countries, towns, regions, seas, and rivers, with a concentration on Islamic provinces. Ibn Hawqal met with Al-Istakhari and was also a world traveler who studied and recorded geographical characteristics for 25 years. Since he did not make a difference in his travels between safe and dangerous lands, he called his book ‘Paths of Kingdoms, Success and Hazard’. It was translated to many languages and printed in Europe in 1871 BC. In the 4th Hjr century, Ibn Fadlan reached Scandinavia and Russia near the North Pole and wrote a book about his travels that is taught today in the West. The 2nd generation of Muslim geographers improved this science and brought it to a modern standard of accuracy. Al-Idrisi was born in 493 Hjr, in Morocco’s Ceuta. He was a descendant of Hasan ibn Ali (r). He saw many lands, including France and England, and settled in Sicily’s Palermo in a time when Islamic culture was still dominant in it. He then started drawing maps with great precision and new astonishing methods, like his world map on a pure silver ball. He was being informed by experts who were sent to various regions along with skilled drawers. He gathered amazing documents and reports and was able to found modern geography. Then, he wrote his famous book ‘Nuzhat Al-Mushtaq’ which he separated into 7 weather zones, each with 10 provinces. For each province he drew a map, in addition to a major world map. Historian S. Scott said that his: “descriptions of many parts of the earth are still authoritative. For 3 centuries geographers copied his maps without alteration. The relative position of the lakes which form the Nile, as delineated in his work, does not differ greatly from that established by Baker and Stanley more than 700 years later.” In 621 Hjr, traveler and geographer Al-Hamawi issued the ‘Glossary of Countries’ which he wrote in the last 4 years of a life that was full of travels. It was a gigantic encyclopedia of geography, with an alphabetical order of topics covering the planet. His powerful work was very accurate and precise in regions’ names, and lines of longitude and latitude. It also had a vast amount of history and facts about the nature and towns of provinces, and was translated and printed many times. Also, Muslims were the 1st to discover America. Al-Idrisi mentioned in ‘Nuzhat Al-Mushtaq’ that Muslim sailors from Andalusia crossed the Atlantic and reached a land where they found an Arabic interpreter. There is more proof, but no space.

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ZOOLOGY

The Kind, jalla wa ‘ala, has said: { ِ◌And verily, in the cattle, there is a lesson for you} (An-Nahl: 66). He subhanahu said: {And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them is warmth (clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them you eat. And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves.} (An-Nahl: 5-7). ______________________________________________________________________ Animals were mentioned in many Surahs of the Qur’an and Hadiths of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). The teachings of our Monotheistic religion urged us to treat them kindly, contemplate their creation, and benefit from them. Therefore, Muslims built a basis for zoology by recording experiments and observations, writing encyclopedias, and revealing the secrets of an immense number of creatures. Al-Jahidh was a famous author of literature in the early ‘Abbasid era and the first Muslim to write about this science. His ‘Book of Animals’ was known for having a wonderful method that relied on experimentation and eyeing. He allocated to each animal an explanation of natural dispositions, instincts, ways and habits, along with related poetry and literature. He said about a type of spiders: “It is a kind of spiders that hunts flies like a panther. He is the one nicknamed the lion and has six eyes. If he sees a fly, he sticks to the ground, rests his limbs, and whenever he jumps, he does not miss.” He also said about camels: “It has from the qualities of honor, usefulness and wealth, in travels and in towns, in wars and in peace, as ornament and as beauty, in implements and in readiness, that which neither the rhinoceros nor the elephant has.” In the 7th Hjr century, Al-Qazwini —a descendant of Anas ibn Malik (r)—became the leader of this science. He was famous for ‘Mysteries of the Creatures’, where he showed the power of the Creator subhanahu wa ta’ala, through a strangely entertaining and detailed scientific description of many natural wonders. He said about the bee: “That week animal, how did he make these even sided institutions that even the most capable of engineers with a compass and a ruler cannot match? Where did she get the wax to build these even homes that are perfectly alike as if they were made in the same mold? Where did she get this honey that she safely kept for the winter? How did she know that winter was coming and that she would run out of food? How was she guided to cover the honey with a thin film so that it is surrounded by wax from all sides and does not get dried up by the air or eaten up by the mouse?…this is the meaning of wonder, and so is all that exists in the world.” The shining star in the sky of this beautiful science was Ad-Dmiri from the 8th Hjr century. He wrote the largest Islamic encyclopedia of zoology which he named “The Great Book of Animals” and which Westerners relied upon and translated to many languages. The libraries of Berlin and Paris still have manuscripts of this book, in which 1069 creatures were mentioned with a precise scientific description, that was based on modern observation methods. Ad-Dmiri in addition listed the names of the animal in each stage of its life, along with Shari’a laws concerning it, and literature and poems from 560 books and 199 poems.

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BOTANY

The Most Holy, and Provider of Peace ‘azza wa jall, said: {And We have produced therein every kind of lovely growth (plants). An insight and a Reminder for every slave who turns to Allah in repentance.} (Qaf: 7-8). He said: {Do they not observe the earth ─ how much of every good kind We cause to grow therein? Verily, in this is an Ayah (sign), yet most of them are not believers.} (Ash-Shu’ara: 7-8). ______________________________________________________________________ Islamic Andalusia was known for its progress in botany, its encyclopedias about plants and their benefits, and its advanced instruments of agriculture and irrigation. Muslims introduced many flowers to Europe for the 1st time, like tulips, lilacs, narcissus, roses, jasmines, and hyacinths. Andalusia’s most famous botanists were: At-Tulaytili, Al-Gharnati, Al-Ishbili, Al-Qortobi and Ibn Ar-Rumiyyah. The greatest was Ibn Al-Baytar. In the 5th Hjr century, At-Tulaytili paved the way for Andalusian botany and wrote ‘Agriculture’, which was published in Morocco. His job at the garden of Toledo’s prince, overlooking the Tagus River, helped him study plants’ characteristics and compare their types. His student Al-Gharnati relied on scientific experiments, corrected false beliefs and recorded medicinal plants, as well as irrigation and well-digging procedures. He showed how to grow and increase crops, and explained methods of beautification, hybridization and protection from germs. He dedicated ‘Zahrat Al-Bustan’ to Ibn Tashfeen’s son, which he wrote after his travels to the Orient and his study of plants from Hijaz, Egypt, and Palestine. He did his experiments in person and didn’t rely on books. After his eastern trip, his knowledge expanded and his skills improved. Hence, he left an insight that was the reason —after Allah’s Will— for the progress of Andalusian botany. In the 7th Hjr century, Ibn Ar-Rumiyyah was an ‘encyclopedia’ walking on two feet and a pharmacist unrivaled by the two classes. After he went to the Orient, the Ayyubi sultan Al-‘Adil liked him and gave him money to keep him in Cairo. However, he wrote for him ‘The Great Exorcism’ —cures of poisons— and said that Hadj was a farida for Ibn Ar-Rumiyyah. Thus, he went to Makkah and then returned to Seville, where he taught Ibn Al-Baytar. The latter raised the torch of his knowledge, kindled it and became his successor. Ibn Al-Baytar recorded in his eternal ‘Al-Jame’’ more than 1400 plants —300 were discovered for the 1st time. He explained alphabetically plants’ benefits, harms, harm reduction, doses, methods of preparation, and substitutes. His scientific fidelity was well known. He once said: “That which is sound to me through observation and watching, and proven in the laboratory and not from news, I take. And that which is incongruous with truth in strength, manner, or perceptible or natural observation, I disregard and do not use.” In addition, he was famous for his manners, bravery, strong memory, and hard working. Though he only lived 49 years, he managed to see most countries and to do a field study about their plants that relied on experiment and certainty. He visited Morocco, Egypt, Hijaz, Iraq, Sham, Greece and the far corners of Europe. In the end, he settled in Damascus where the caliph Saleh honored him. He continued studying botany until he died from a poisonous plant in his lab. "Al-Jame" kept being taught in Europe until recently.

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PHARMACY

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: [Verily, Allah ta’ala has not sent down a disease without sending down its cure, it is known to he who knows it, and unknown to he who does not know it, except as-sam, which is death.] (Sahih: Aljame’, Al-Albany). ______________________________________________________________________ Chemistry was founded by Jabir ibn Hayyan in the 2nd Hjr century, and then it was introduced in medicine by the 3rd century scholars, which led to a fast and amazing advancement in pharmacy. Allah ta’ala said: {Light upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills.} (An-Nur: 35). Thus, Muslims started employing their new abilities in pharmacy, like distillation, sublimation, filtration, and crystallization, and were able to prepare new ointments from mercury acids, white lead, and copper, after they tested them on monkeys. In the 5th Hjr century, Ibn Zahr fabricated a mold to turn bitter powder into a modern day pill, and to facilitate taking medicine for the patients. He also made studies to preserve the pills and extend their expiration date. Muslims invented vaccination at least fifty years before Pastor. Their invention was transmitted to Europe by the wife of the British ambassador in Istanbul in 1724 BC.

Since an ancient time, Islamic pharmacy had a scientific method that was based on observation, research and experimentation, and distanced itself from hypothesis and doubts. Thus, people became safe from imposters and herbalists’ mistakes. While major pharmacies spread in the cities, each hospital had an annex that was directed by the ‘Sheikh Pharmacist of the Bimaristan’. Reference books for drug compositions called ‘al-aqrbadheen’ were placed in such establishments, and a system of accountancy was enforced to examine the medications, and to prevent fraud and black markets. In the 8th century, Al-Qalqashandi said about the advancement of these institutions: “There are precious liquids and pastes in it, as well as excellent crèmes, various medication, and luxurious perfumes that only exist in it. It has valuable instruments and Chinese dishes of Zubadi and Barani that only kings can afford. The pharmacist stands at the entrance wearing his white garment and distributing the prescriptions. Racks of medicine and bottles are behind him.” This last scene is the same that we see in pharmacies today. Ibn Al-Baytar was the most knowledgeable pharmacist of the middle ages. His books were the primary reference in Europe for many centuries. The British College of Medicine relied on his book ‘Al-Jame’ to open the first British pharmacy in 1625 BC, during the rule of James the First. Ibn Al-Baytar was fond of medicine since a young age because his father was a veterinary —Ibn Al-Baytar means 'Son of the Veterinary'. His mastery of chemistry and botany made his knowledge of single and compound medicine unprecedented. His most famous books are ‘Al-Jame’ that we mentioned in the previous page, and ‘Al-Mughni’, where he explained the effects of medicine on each organ, such as the ears, the eyes and the stomach. He also revealed in it medications for various illnesses like fever, poisoning, etc…

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COFFEE & FAMOUS FOOD

The All-Rich, and Generous subhanahu, has said: {They used to sleep but little by night (praying). And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.} (Adh-Dhariat: 17-18). He has said, jalla wa ‘ala: {Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)?} (Az-Zumar: 9). ______________________________________________________________________ Muslims offered various types of food and drinks to many countries of the world. Several of such items are today a national heritage of those nations. Before we speak of some, we have to mention the most important item that Islam dedicated to students: It indeed was coffee. Staying awake can be sometimes very crucial in scientific research —which is the topic of this book— and the continuation of work at the end of the night is sometimes a golden step to reach results. What is amazing about coffee is that it was grown only in Abyssinia and that only the Arabs received it from the Red Sea. Then, in the 9th Hjr century, it started to be cultivated in Yemen. Two hundred year later, the world finally heard about it. Thus, Muslims presented various types of knowledge to mankind, invented prescription glasses for reading, introduced coffee and sugar, and made all the circumstances favorable for the advancement of modern science —none of which would have happened so early without the Qur’an. One of today’s famous dishes is the Spanish paella. It is a national food in Spain, and a preferred meal in the American continent. The reason why it is called paella (pronounced pae-yyah) is that Andalusian kings used to order their baqeyyah (leftovers) be mixed in big plates and be offered to the people. Paella’s taste was most delicious because the palaces had the best chefs. The Spanish continued to make this dish after Muslims left. Today, they are still mixing several kinds of food: chicken, red meat, vegetables and fish with rice —introduced in Spain by Muslims— in one big dish filled with oriental spices. It was Muslims who introduced Pasta to Europe and not Marco Polo, as is proven in Al-Baqri’s book that was written before Polo. They also made the 1st lasagna whose name was derived from lisan (tongue) as was declared by Spanish historian Miranda. Since the topic is lengthy, we’ll present items’ names without much detail: al-qandi (sweets’ maker) is the origin of candy. Al-Laymun is lemonade. Al-Qashda is the famous Italian Cassata. Shurbet is sorbet. Merit is Allah’s, then Muslims’, for the introduction of rice to Europe through Sicily and Andalusia. Ar-Rawz is rice. As-Sabanigh is spinach. Ardi-Shawkiyy is artichoke. Banan Al-Mawz is Banana. An-Naranj is orange. As-Sukkar is sugar. Az-Za’faran is saffron. Al-Kamun is cumin. Each were unknown in Europe before Islam, and there is no room for many more items. In Latin America, most of the food is an Andalusian Islamic heritage: Ar-Rayhan is arrayan, At-Tamar Al-Hindi is tamarindo…

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ARABIC WORDS

The Subtly Kind, and All Aware tabaraka wa ta’ala, has said: {And thus We have sent it down as a Qur’an in Arabic} (Ta-Ha: 113), He has also said, ‘azza wa jall: {And thus We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) a Qur’an in Arabic that you may warn the mother of the towns (Makkah) and all around it} (Ash-Shura: 7). ______________________________________________________________________ German orientalist Sigrid Hunke opened up her book ‘Allah’s Sun over the Occident’ with a conversation between two ladies in a German coffee shop. Through this dialogue, she tried to show the amount of Arabic words that exist in European languages, and to give an idea about Islamic influence on Western civilization. The next paragraph is from her introduction and is a good argument that shows the splendor of Islamic civilization. The initial translation was done by Faruq Baidun and Kamal Dasuqi from German to Arabic. (Words in apostrophes are German.) Hunke said: “Honorable madam! May I invite you to enter this café (maqha)? For you seem tired. Would you like to take off your jacket (jakitatuk), and take a seat on the sofa (as-suffa) with a red ‘karmin matraze’ (al-qurmuziyyah)! The candy (al-qundi) maker […] will immediately bring to you a ‘tasse’ (tasa) of bolin coffee (qahwat al-bunn) with two pieces of sugar (sukkar)! Or would you prefer a carafe (ghurrafa) of lemonade (al-laymun)? […] There is no doubt that you would appreciate a piece of cake with some apricots (al-barquq) … of course my friend, you are my guest today! First of all, may I present to you a sorbet (shurbet) of orange (naranj) juice! In the mean time, this filled artichoke (ardi-shawki) will open your appetite. Now! What would you say about this fried truffle with rice (arrauz) and spinach (sabanigh)? Next, I will offer you a soup of arrack (araq at-tamr). In the end, it is necessary to have a cup of mocha (mukha) coffee. I hope my friend that you will rest on this divan (deewan), make yourself at home, and know that all the things and precious objects that surround us, all the food and drinks that I presented to you have become normal things in our daily life since a long time ago, and that they belong in fact, to an old and mysterious world, it is indeed the world of the Arabs!” She also said in the same book: “Haven’t you also known that the ‘koffer’ (quffah) near the maroquin (al-jild Al-Marrakushi) and the pair of ‘gamaschen’ (timaq) still carry the stamp of the Arabic traveler who was fond of traveling in the spacious earth of Allah! Do you see the gifts of ‘galanterie’ (ar-rafahiyyah) and finery that are showcased in this direction! Enjoy looking at the splendor of their adornments and the beauty of their weaving! This is ‘barchent’ (al-barqan), that is cotton (qutn) and this is the marvelous fabric of musselin (al-musil). Over there is the soft mohair (muhayr). Look at the chiffon (shaffaf), the aristocratic satin (as-satan), the luxurious ‘tafta’ (at-tafta) and the wavy moire (al-mawwar). Look at the honored atlas (atlas) silk and the glorious damask (damaqs), that was imported from Damascus? They are absolutely wonderful, and they resemble each other in beauty and smoothness. The colors add special magic to them.”

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DIETETICS

The Ever Providing, and Nourisher ‘azza wa jall, has said: {and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance).} (Al-A’raf: 31). In addition, He has said subhanahu: {eat of the Tayyibat (good lawful things) wherewith We have provided you, and commit no transgression or oppression therein, lest my anger should justly descend on you. And he on whom My Anger descends, he is indeed perished.} (Ta-Ha: 81). ______________________________________________________________________ Islam has urged us to balance our nutrition and to avoid excessive eating. The Guided (p.b.u.h.) said: [The son of Adam never fills a vessel worse than his stomach. The son of Adam only needs a few bites that would sustain him, but if he insists, one third should be reserved for his food, another third for his drink and the last third for his breathing.] (Sahih: Aljame’, Al- Albany). Muslim doctors followed the Guidance and studied the role of food in preserving health, which gave a foundation to dietetics. One of the best scholars of dietetics and healthy nutrition was Ibn Zahr from the 6th Hjr century. He also was an honorable doctor who did an advanced research about stomach cancers that astonishes modern day physicians. He invented

enema to feed patients, removed pharynx and fistulas, and explained in detail the causes of hemorrhoids and the dietetic prevention against most illnesses. Ibn Zahr had many books in this field. His most famous ‘Book of Nutrition and Medicine’ showed the health effects of various food types. It was translated to Latin and its manuscript is in the 'Royal Library' in Rabat. We also should mention Ibn Hayyan who was a great pioneer of this science in the 2nd Hjr century. He proved that balanced nutrition led to longevity and immunity from dangerous ailments —as a cause after Allah’s Will. He too had numerous books in this topic. Islamic society used a wise saying that protected from calamities and is today taught in universities: “If you can cure with food, do not use medicine, and if you can cure with a single medicine, do not use compounds.” Nutritionists encouraged balanced meals and favored certain types over others, based on time, season and the person’s body. They also showed food types that should not be mixed, the spices that ameliorate each one, and the diet that soothes each illness. In the 3rd Hjr century, Ziryab of Andalusia —may Allah forgive him— was popular. He grew up in the palaces of Baghdad, and then he moved to Andalusia and settled in it. His real name was Ali ibn Nafi’. It was Ziryab who invented smooth tablecloth, modern plates, knives, forks and spoons, which are commonly perceived today as a Western heritage. Thanks to him after Allah, smooth leather tablecloth took the place of flax fabric to facilitate table cleaning, and plates and luxurious glasses of crystal replaced vessels of metal and clay. He even invented modern toothpaste, as well as the etiquette of fine dining that is used today in all restaurants of the world, which is to not serve all food at once and to start with appetizers, then a main course, and then dessert. Such an order benefits health and eases digestion. Ziryab offered great novelties to mankind. However, he caused fitnah by inventing al-qitar (the guitar) and many musical instruments. We ask Allah to forgive him.

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ARCHITECTURE

The Bringer of Glad Tidings, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, has said: [Verily, Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace.] (Sahih: Muslim). ______________________________________________________________________ Islamic architecture is a fashion all around the world. Up-scale neighborhoods are embellished with Andalusian, Abbasid, Seljukid and other styles of our glorious art. However, this is no new trend. Throughout the centuries, many edifices were built with an Islamic style in all the continents. For instance, the Kornik castle is an architectural wonder in Poland with an interior that feels like Baghdad, and the ‘Villa Mauresque’ in the picture is a luxurious hotel in the touristy south of France. In addition, there are many replicas of the Giralda in the American continent, like in the beautiful Port of San Francisco, the Country Club in Kansas and the University of Puerto Rico. The Giralda was a masjid, built by the Almohads in Andalusia, and is now unfortunately a church. There is so much of our architecture around the planet that this topic deserves an entire book. After the Spanish conquest of the New World, Islamic art became the official style from California to Chile. Thus, if we add the superficial area of Latin America to the Muslim countries' area, we can say that Islamic architecture is the predominant building style on 44% of earth’s land surface. Moresque buildings fill indeed every town and every village in Latin America, and Moresque is a word that was derived from Morocco’s Marrakesh. In medieval Europe, the Roman and Norman curved arches of the cathedrals were changed to the Islamic pointed arches, which allowed the improvement, elevation, and expansion of construction. Moreover, castles became enhanced with many great Muslim inventions such as battlements along the edge of the wall, roof fortifications, front fortresses, square defense towers, and other architectural ideas that made forts impenetrable. Historical documents prove the role that Muslims had in the design of famous and touristy European castles. For example, King of England Henry the Fifth used a Muslim architect to build his famous castle. American scientists Peter Lu and Paul Steinhardt from Harvard and Princeton discovered that Muslim mathematicians used some geometry in architecture that can only be drawn with advanced theories from the 20th century. They demonstrated that Muslim architects were much more advanced 500 years ago than the West realizes. The details of their studies were published in Science Magazine on February 23rd, 2007. Also, Dr. Mitbul Kiyili did a research in acoustics over a strange homogeneous propagation of sound in the old masjids of Istanbul. He found out that sound waves were evenly distributed across the rooms, regardless of their distance from the source. Then, he realized that a —10th Hjr century— Muslim architect named Sinan managed to propagate the imam's voice in big masjids with the help of an amazingly advanced engineering. Sinan avoided square rooms and parallel walls, and used niches and buttresses to disperse the reflected sound. He also adopted special measurements for the cavity of domes to minimize the echo and to avoid standing waves. Sinan made the sermons' sound reach all the audience.

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HYDRAULICS & BATH HOUSES

The Pardoner, and All-Pitying tabaraka wa ta’ala, has said: {In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.} (At-Taubah: 108). He also has said, subhanahu: {Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His favor to you that you may be thankful.} (Al-Ma’idah: 6). ______________________________________________________________________ Cleanliness is a rule in our Religion and a symbol of our civilization. Since the dawn of their Call to Allah, Muslims were compelled to build running water canals, and to provide every home with water faucets and restrooms. Their unprecedented improvements in the science of hydraulics led to the invention of water treatment plants, pumps, dams, water towers, and new irrigation instruments. Consequently, agriculture flourished, diseases dropped, and prosperity covered the land and the people. This progress in hydraulics also resulted in the establishment of public bath houses in all the major cities. Such buildings had several rooms with a variety of temperatures. Inside the walls, there were pipes of cold and hot water, and in the basement, a furnace heated the system. One of the Islamic inventions in this field was modern day soap bars, which were made from sodium hydroxide and herbal and aromatic oils. Muslims also used shampoo a long time before Europe knew it in 1814 BC. The Indian businessman Sheikh Deen Muhammad built the first bath house in Brighton England, where he introduced shampoo to the English society. The origin of shampoo was 'Champo' in Indian, which meant: head massage. In Andalusia, Ziryab gained a lot of fame when he invented toothpaste, deodorants, and cosmetic salons. In the 6th Hjr century, Al-Jazari was born in the town of Al-Jazeerah, which was surrounded with water of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. He was the greatest engineer of hydraulics in the middle ages. Some of his amazing inventions were the automated water clock, the double-action suction pump, water raising wheels that relied on rivers' kinetic energy, and segmental gears which emerged in Europe 200 years later. Al-Jazari wrote 50 of his inventions in his book "Al-Jame' Bayn Al'Ilm Wal'Amal", which took him 25 years to write, and whose copies are in the most famous world museums, such as Boston's Museum of Fine Art, Louvre Museum in France, Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, and also in Oxford's library. His work was translated several times during the Renaissance and in the 20th century. One of his best accomplishments was the fact that he freed animals from the lengthy hard work of raising water from the rivers, after he substituted the ancient tools with newer ones that used rivers' kinetic energy. The machines of this ambitious engineer brought comfort to people and animals, and paved the way for modern technology. Finally, we should not end this page without mentioning Ibn Ma'ruf. He was one of the greatest scientists who revolutionized hydraulics and moved it from simple primitive instruments —taken from old civilizations— to an advanced technology that opened the doors for modern engineering. One of Ibn Ma'ruf's most famous inventions was the six- cylinder raising wheel, whose system is an exact copy of the slant-6 engine in modern day cars.

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MODERN STREETS

The Protecting Friend, and Ever Near tabaraka wa ta’ala, said: {And let those (guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind.} (An-Nisa’: 9). His Messenger, peace be upon him, said: [There was a tree branch on the road that harmed people, a man removed it, and entered Paradise as a reward.] (Sahih: Aljame’, Al-Albany ). ______________________________________________________________________ All the amenities that we see on our modern boulevards, such as street lights, sidewalks, trash dispensers, gravel pavement, and street cleaning, were Muslim inventions that modernized civil life and increased its beauty, safety, and ease. These improvements also led to a rural migration that multiplied the capabilities of development in all the nations of the world. Around the 6th Hjr century, street lights emerged in Cordoba. Then, people began to leave their homes at night to go out for a walk or recreation, to visit their relatives, or to simply run some errands. All the while, safety prevailed, and livelihood filled the city at night as much as in the day. History books recorded that a person would walk in Cordoba ten miles under the lights of street lamps, while buildings and sidewalks lined on both sides of the road. The population of Cordoba was 500000, when Paris only had 38000. At night, darkness used to cover European towns, and people locked their doors from fear of thieves. We saw in the page of chemistry that Muslims were the first to refine petroleum. One of its uses was the paving of roads and sidewalks. Many Islamic towns employed this method, including Cordoba, which was exceptionally beautiful and civilized. The flattened boulevards became very easy to move along for pedestrians and riders, which facilitated the traffic between neighborhoods, and minimized stumbles and accidents. Streets in Cordoba were very similar to what we see today, in a time when the winter mud reached people's knees on the roads of Paris, as was affirmed by Dr. Luce Lopez. Some of the aspects of civilization on the roads of Muslim cities were the use of trash dispensers, and periodic street cleaning. Rulers paid a lot of attention to roads' cleanliness due to the existence of a big number of Prophetic Hadiths (sayings) about this topic. Therefore, it was mandatory to collect and remove garbage from the streets. While some workers were assigned to tour the neighborhoods and empty out their trash containers, other teams had to wash and clean the pavement. That is how Cordoba was, as well as other famous Muslim towns, such as Baghdad, Damascus, Kufa, Cairo, Fez and Kairouan. They were extraordinarily clean, beautiful, and civilized cities. At night, they glowed like shining stars in the dark sky of the world. Finally, the best characteristics of civilization that streets in the Muslim world had —and that lack in modern civilizations— are our righteous predecessors' good manners, and their emulation of our Guided Prophet (p.b.u.h.), who said in the honorable Hadith: [Avoid sitting on the paths! If there is no help (for you but to sit on these paths), then give the paths their rights; and these are: lowering of the gaze, refraining from harming people, exchanging of greetings, commanding of good, and forbidding from evil.] (Agreed Upon).

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PARKS

The Most Gracious, and Most Merciful ‘azza wa jall, said: {And put forward to them the example of two men: to one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date palms; and had put between them green crops. Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them.} (Al-Kahf: 32-33). ______________________________________________________________________ The story of man began in a garden according to the Beneficent Qur'an. The Book’s description of Jannah’s flowers, trees, shades, colors, sounds, scents, and running rivers, was an inspiration for Muslims to study the art of gardening. In the meantime, the sciences of irrigation, botany, and architecture became very advanced, which enabled our Ummah to produce the most beautiful gardens, in Andalusia, Morocco, Sham, India, Turkey, and many other lands. Andalus' gardening is distinguished by its rare flowers, amazing fountains, flowing water, shades of trees, exquisite design, and ramified paths, paved with mosaic, marble, and fragments of stained glass. Such styles are still the main inspiration for parks in the West. The horticulture of many

types of flowers was also copied from Muslims, who introduced in Europe —for the first time— tulips, lilac, narcissus, roses, jasmines, hyacinth, and several other rare flowers. One of the most marvelous parks in Andalusia is Jannat Al-‘Areef (Generalife) in Granada, which consists of several gardens overlooking each other at the foot of a hill, and landscaped with a fascinating design that includes magnificent flowers, evergreen trees, and flowing water all the way down. Granada also has the garden of Alhambra, which mesmerizes the visitors with its beauty, its fountains, the scent of its flowers, and the splendor of its landscape. The Mexican poet Francisco de Icaza gained a lot of fame from his line about a blind beggar: “Give him alms, woman, for in this life there is nothing so pitiable as to be blind in Granada.” However, the truly most pitiable thing in life is to turn away from the Remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Gardens in the Muslim world were not merely a place of recreation and enjoyment of the beautiful nature. They had in fact a spiritual significance that brought people closer to Allah ta’ala, and invited them to ponder upon His Signs subhanahu, as well as an educational incentive to stimulate beneficial thought. Islamic gardens were also meant to improve health, safety or residential comfort. English landscaper Hobhouse —who made several gardens for the British royal palace— says that she loves passionately the Islamic gardens, for they give us some very important lessons, represent the idea of Paradise on earth, and are a dialogue between art and nature. Austrian art historian Ebba Koch affirmed that the garden of ‘Shahabad’ in Delhi had a political significance pointing to an ideal rule with its evergreen grass. Masjids of Andalusia had orange trees in their patios, which —in addition to their beauty— stimulated people for worship with their fruit, and refreshed the air with their scent. Turks used gardens as a place of residence. They designed the paths, trees, and flowing water, before building homes in the middle. Thus, they called their palaces gardens! Also, their masjids were surrounded with greenery for protection against fires.

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HISTORY

The Irresistible, and Tremendous tabaraka wa ta’ala, said: {Say: “Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)!} (Ar-Rum: 42). {So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect.} (Al-A’raf: 176). He also said: {Have you not seen how your Lord has dealt with the Owners of the Elephant?} (Al-Fil: 1). ______________________________________________________________________ Since the beginning of Islam, the companions and tabi'in (p.b.u.t.) took special care of history. The Ummah marked the start of the Islamic calendar with the Prophet's migration (p.b.u.h.), and did a big effort to record his biography, and preserve his sayings. Also, a method of objectivity, truth, critic, and verification regulated history, and stripped it of the myths, fabrication, and aimlessness that used to surround it. None of this would have happened without Allah's Will subhanahu, then Muslims' care for His Religion, which abided by His Saying ‘azza wa jall: {Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).} (Al-Hijr: 9). Ibn Khaldun was one of the greatest historians. He renovated this science, changed its basis and methods of research, and knew well the ancient manuscripts. His writing style was distinguished by an intense scrutiny, a weighing of old against new, and a comparison between people's history and their current condition and tradition. Ibn Khaldun analyzed events with political and logical perspectives, and his judgements were so transparent and neutral that he was famous in the West as the 1st historian who was free from any religious bias. He was appointed to several political, judicial and excutive positions, which enabled him to travel extensively to numerous countries. His acquaintance with many societies helped him understand their history, and solve their mysteries. One of his most famous books, "Al-'Ibar", consisted of 7 volumes. The 1st volume "Al-Muqaddimah" was an introduction that comprised one 3rd of the book. His style in "Al-'Ibar" was different from previous historians'. He divided it to many segments, with one nation in each, whereas the ancient books were chronological. He was distinguished by an excellent clarification, coordination, and connection between events. Ibn Khaldun wrote the first complete autobiography in history. It was called "Biography of Ibn Khaldun and His Voyage to the West and the East", and contained his life story from childhood until his death in the late 8th Hjr century. Many European scholars praised his eternal books, such as the British historian Arnold Toynbee who called Al-Muqaddimah: "a philosophy of history which is undoubtedly the greatest work of its kind that has ever yet been created by any mind in any time or place." British philosopher Robert Flint said: " As a theorist on history he had no equal in any age . . . Plato, Aristotle and Augustine were not his peers." Muslim historians wrote many famous encyclopedias, like At-Tabari, Ibn Al-Athir, Adh-Dhahabi, and Ibn Kathir. The most beneficial book of history is "Al-Bidaya wa An-Nihaya" of Ibn Kathir, which tells the story of the world from the beginning of Creation until the 8th Hjr century, including the Biography of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). We should also mention "Al-Kamil fi At-Tarikh" of Ibn Al-Athir, who described —as a live witness— Salahuddin's recuperation of the honorable Quds.

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GEOLOGY

The Vast and Owner said: {And on the earth are signs for those who have faith with certainty.} (Adhariat: 20). {And among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black.} (Fatir: 27). {We sent down iron wherein is mighty power, as well as many benefits for mankind} (Al-Hadid: 25). ______________________________________________________________________ The best geologist in history was Al-Bairuni from the 4th Hjr century. He was the first to properly define gravity, to show that earth turned around itself and around the sun, and to measure its circumference after discovering a famous theorem that still carries his name. He plugged the height of a mountain and its distance from the horizon in his equation, and found that earth's

radius was 6340 Km. Modern satellites proved that it is 6357 Km. He explained in his books —with amazing detail— earth's landforms, paleontology, minerals, jewels, interior layers, and the natural phenomenons that shaped its formation. In archaelogy, Al-Bairuni did a lot of research to find the age of earth, and recorded his results in "Tahdid Nihayat Al-Amakin". He discovered through an advanced archaelogical study that Arabia and India were two seas in the past, which agrees with modern research. He unearthed ocean sand, sea-shells, fish bones, fossils and other

proofs from under lakes and wells in those two regions. His book —which still exists— is a solid proof against those who claim that archaeology was unknown before the 19th century. Muslims began the study of minerals in the 2nd Hjr century. Al-Babily wrote 'The Benefit of Stones', which was described by the Western historian Sarton as the first book about precious stones. In the 3rd century, Ibn Masawih showed the attributes of jewels and their search methods in his book 'Al-Jawahir'. Also, Al-Hamadani's 'Sefat Jazirat Al-'Arab' led to the 1980's discovery of silver in the mountains of Yemen. Upon the arrival of Ibn Hayyan's chemistry, geology shifted from a natural description of rocks to a precise chemical explanation. Then, many minerals were discovered for the first time, such as black lead, Al-Marqishya, red ruby, At-Taliquni (hard cupper), silicon, Az-Zajat, Ash-Shubub, Bawasiq Al-Khubz, agate and onyx. Muslims discovered a total of 88 minerals. In the 4th century, Al-Bairuni founded crystallography in his book 'Al-Jamahir', and Al-Qazwini expanded it in 'Al-'Aja'ib'. Thus, they were (p.b.u.t.) the first to introduce this new science to mankind. Since early times, Muslim geologists showed a lot of interest in the oils of earth, wrote numerous works in this field, and differentiated between two types of petroleum. Then, the extraction and search for this crucial resource began, their methods were improved, and people started using petroleum to pave the roads and as a fuel for lanterns. In seismology, Muslims studied earthquakes and recorded their dates, locations, types, magnitudes, destruction rates, and their effect on the formation of earth's crust. They, in addition, tried to minimize their damage through scientific research, and Al-Qazwini was famous in this domain with his book 'Wonders of the Creatures and Mysteries of the Existing Things'. What we mentioned here is but a few of what Islam presented in this discipline.

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ECONOMICS

The Restrainer, and Expander tabaraka wa ta’ala, said: {Then when the (Jumu’ah) salat (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of Allah (by working)} (Al-Jumu’ah: 10). {Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity.} (Al-Baqarah: 276). He also said: {in order that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you.} (Al-Hashr: 7). ______________________________________________________________________ Many people think that economics was invented by Adam Smith in 1776 AD. However, anyone who would look in the books of Ibn Khaldun would find most of the theories that were presented by Smith and other modern economists. Ibn Khaldun seperated commercial products into two categories: essential and complementary. He explained that supply and demand depended on the scale of urbanization and progress, and that the difference in prices is caused by a variance of wealth between the nations. Ibn Khaldun preceded the American Henry George —from the 19th century— in showing that the change of salaries is related to economic growth. He also presented two factors for progress before Smith: the seperation of specialties between workers, and the increase of population. In 1950, Dr. Egon Orowan from MIT based a study in socionomy on the work of Ibn Khaldun, and was able to predict a shortage in market demand. In the 1980s, Dr. Arthur Laffer issued a famous theory in economics which he named the Laffer curve. He admitted that the details of his theory were Ibn Khaldun's. The Laffer curve says that a raise of taxes does not increase the nation's revenue because the citizens cease to work in that case. Laffer issued his theory when he was an economic advisor for the US president Ronald Reagan. Economics in the golden era of Islamic civilization followed the Rule of Allah and His wise Laws. Hence, it had no defects or shortcomings. Economic planning in our Religion is issued by the Lord of the 'Alamin Who is Most Acquainted with our situations and the necessities of our existance. He subhanahu said: {Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves). The Well-Acquainted (with everything).} (Al-Mulk: 14). Many economical systems that appeared recently failed in their experience. The last one to face a breakdown is capitalism —which is stuck today in the mud of usury. Several great Western economists were obliged to use Qur'anic guidance to solve the problems of capitalism. French economist —and Nobel price winner— Dr. Maurice Allais criticized the cruelty of usury systems and advised a decrease in interest rate to 0%, and in tax rate to 2%, in order to save capitalism. These are the same rates that we have in Islam. A few months ago, an office of the French ministry of finance abolished all symbolic sales and abstract contracts that capitalism uses, and ordered the delivery of any merchandise three days after the sale's contract. This method also matches our Law! In Italy, Loretta Napoleoni did a research about the danger that interest banks represent for the world economy. She proved that we must implement the system of Islamic banks to get out of the loans' crisis that cause the crash of stock markets. Finally, the word check is derived from Sakk in Arabic. We used it long before modern banks to represent cash in trade.

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POSTAL SERVICE

The Loving One, and All Glorious ‘azza wa jall, said: {Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.} (Muhammad: 22-23). He said: {And give to the kinsman his due.} (Al-Isra’: 26). He also stated subhanahu: {And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.} (Ash-Shu’ara’: 214). ______________________________________________________________________ Organized mail service was founded by Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufian (r). The number of conquests grew in his time, and the Muslim land stretched, which brought the need for an improvement of the postal service, and an increase of its services. The main office was built in Al-Basra, which was three days away from Makkah, and the secondary branches opened all over the land, until they reached 950 stations. Fast and strong stallions were chosen for the mailmen, and their tasks were split into several short trips. Thus, they took turns in transporting the mail from a station to another until it reached destination, and did not need to stop for rest. During the rule of the Umayyad caliph Abdel-Malek ibn Marwan, the Nation started placing addresses on the roads, as well as signs that show directions and remaining distances —very much like what we see today. The Abbasid brought new improvements to the postal service, and made a political use of its operations. It became similar to a secret police, and the costs of its horses and workers reached 160000 Dinar (gold coins) every year. The mailman was used to spy on the rulers and the enemies of the caliph, to inspect prices, to divulge violations, and to bring the news of the army and treasury. Stamps and special marks were invented to authenticate the mail, to prove its source, and to prevent falsification. Due to the livelihood of this sector, and its importance for the rulers, the rebels used to disrupt the mail if they wanted to overthrow the caliph. In the 7th Hjr century, Al-Mamalik added an incredible advancement to this field by inplementing an air mail service that depended on several types of homing pigeons. During the rule of Baibars abu Al-Futuh, many towers were built across the land, and the speed of air mail surpassed that of regular mail. The sender used to mail two copies of each letter with two carrier pigeons. In order to mark the birds, they used to either paint their beaks or trim some of their feather. Moreover, waterproof paper was used during rainy weather. Such letters were short and concise, and only contained the date and a brief message —just like modern telegraphs. Muslims also invented many kinds of transparent ink. For instance, they used to write with milk on white paper, and if they wanted it to read the message, they placed hot ashes of burned paper on the text, which made it clear enough to see. Al-Muqri said that a Moroccan man sent a letter that was written with a mysterious ink to the caliph Al-Kamel Muhammad ibn Al-'Adil Al-Ayyubi. If one read his letter under a lamp the text appeared in a silver color, under the sun it was golden, and under the shade it turned into a black ink.

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CRAFT

The All forgiving, and Grateful jalla wa ‘ala, said about Paradise: {Therein will be a running spring. Therein will be thrones raised high. And cups set at hand. And cushions set in rows. And rich carpets (all) spread out.} (Al-Ghashiyah: 12-16). He also said: {And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail.} (Al-Anbiya’: 80). ______________________________________________________________________ The merit of learning a craft is immense, and teaching it is a geat honor and a blessed effort. The instruction of a craft was an action that Allah tabaraka wa ta'ala performed when He taught Daud (p.b.u.h.) {the making of metal coats} (Al-Anbiya’: 80). Many prophets earned their living from a craft. It was said that Adam was a farmer, Idris was a tailor, Nuh and 'Isa were carpenters, Ibrahim sold clothes, Isma'il was a hunter, Daud made metal coats, and Ilias was a weaver (p.b.u.t.). Brave is a man who learned a craft, excelled in it, and —by doing so— emulated the noble prophets. The first factory of glass and pottery in the world was built in Arriqqah in Syria. It was 2 Km long. Our Ummah is well-known for its craft, beautiful art, and traditional artifacts that never cease to fill the world's museums and exhibitions. Today, If you visit any Western city, you will find shops of Islamic rugs and furniture in its most luxurious districts. Though the prices are astronomical, the demand is still high, and customers keep rushing in. The reason for this high level of quality and beauty is the fact that Islam considered work an act of worship and sincerity a condition for it to be accepted. Thus, many generations of sincere craftsmen shaped our great artistic capabilities. No country can compete with the outstanding beauty of Moroccan, Turkish, or Persian rugs, and one rarely finds a match for Muslim weaving, leather tanning, carpentry, pottery, architecture, furniture, and other wonders. The picture above is a Western home with a Moroccan interior that is inspired by a Qur'anic description of Paradise. Notice the pillows set in rows, the carpet spread out, the white cushion raised on wood, and the pot set at hand. Such styles are inspired by Al-Ghashiyah of the Friday prayer. Yet, this is but a foreign attempt to copy the beauty of a Moroccan house, whose true luxury and fine craft can only be seen in the original Moroccan home that mesmerizes the observer with its furniture, tile work, vessels, court fountain, chandeliers, Rabati rugs, Andalusian décor, and stained glass windows. This eminent art that we inherited is in danger. If our societies do not revive it, it will vanish due to the invasion of modern products. Craft is not limited by traditional artisanship. Every honorable skill that a person learns is beneficial to him and to his nation. What is shameful is to live in lazy idleness. The Messenger (p.b.u.h.) said: [The best wage is that which a man earned with his hand, and from every good trade.] (Sahih: Aljame', Al-Albany). What a happy life it is for a craftsman who earned his living, was contented, and found free time to study the Book and supplicate. Allah said: {When you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself to Allah's worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.} (Ash-Sharh: 7, 8). The Beloved (p.b.u.h) said: [He who wakes up safe in his own self, healthy in his body, possessing his daily meal, is as if he is given the whole world and its fringes.] (Sahih: Aljame’, Al-Albany).

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UNIVERSITY

The Omniscient, and Omnipotent jalla wa ‘ala, said: {Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.} (Al-‘Alaq: 1-5). {Say (O Muhammad): “Are those who know equal to those who know not?”} (Azzumar: 9). ______________________________________________________________________ The Guinness book of records affirms that Alqarawiyyin in Morocco's Fez was the first university in the world. It was built by Alfihriyyah —a Tunisian woman—in 245 Hjr (859 AD), which shows the educational role of women in our lost civilization. As soon as it opened, Alqarawiyyin began spreading knowledge and removing illiteracy from our Ummah. It offered many great scholars, such as Ibn Al'arabiy the famous muhaddith, Ibn Albanna the genius mathematician, Ibn Khaldun the founder of sociology and economics, Ibn Baja the learned doctor, Assabti the Fiqh scholar, Ibn Alkhatib the literary historian, Al'idrisi the notable geographer, Ibn Zahr the wise doctor, and Ibn Ajarrum the author of Al'ajrumiyyah: the most famous book of grammar. One of the best female scholars was Alalyah Benkiran who taught logic to women and men alternately. So many scholars graduated from Alqarawiyyin that we'd need an entire book to list their names. Alqarawiyyin was called Aljame'a (gatherer), for it accepted all kinds of people: students, professionals, rulers, poor people, men, women, and children —and no one could register in any topic before learning the Qur'an! Many famous universities followed Alqarawiyyin, like Al'Azhar in Cairo, Timbuktu in Mali, Al'Umawiyy in Damascus, Azzaytuna in Tunisia, and Cordoba in Spain. These institutions invented most of the present-day sciences and modernized the life of mankind. During its Dark Ages, Europe sent many students to our enlightened universities. One of them was Sylvester ΙΙ, who graduated from Alqarawiyyin, and became the pope in Rome from 999 until he died in 1003 AD. The first European university was built in 1088, in Italy's Bologna. Then, the university of Paris followed in 1150, and Oxford in 1167. Directly after opening, each of these schools began to transfer and translate Muslim sciences. Yet, it took them many centuries to reach the Muslims' standard. In a comparison of medieval academic levels between Europe and the Muslim world, German Sigrid Hunke said that "while Charlemagne was forcing himself in his old age to learn how to read and write, and while the Western princes admitted their illiteracy, and in the churches few priests could hold a pen […], while all this was happening in the West, there were thousands of schools in the [Muslim] villages and cities that accepted millions of boys and girls." Hunke also explained why so many Muslim kids were eager to learn in the middle ages: "The motive for all this was their sincere desire to be real Muslims, to be like a Muslim should be. No one forced them [to go to school]. They went with desire and faith for it was every Muslim's duty to learn the Qur'an." So, this tremendous care that all countries —especially the advanced ones— have for children's education was unheard of before the descent of Qur'an. All merit for modern civilization goes to the Owner of All Sovereignty and Lord of Majesty and Generosity.

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Conclusion

The Prophet of Mercy —peace and blessings be upon him and his family— has said: [The example of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like the abundant rain which strikes the earth. Some of it is fertile, accepts the water and brings forth plants and grass in abundance. Some of it is hard and holds the water, enabling the people to use it. They drink from it, water their animals and irrigate. Some of the land it strikes is level and barren and does not retain the water nor produce plants. The first is the example of someone who understands the Deen of Allah, benefits from that with which Allah has sent me, learns and teaches. The last is the example of the person who pays no attention to it for the sake of the prophet, and does not accept the guidance with which I have been sent.] (Agreed Upon). Today, our Ummah is like this last type that refuses Allah’s guidance, does not understand His Deen (Religion), and seeks only dunya’s (life of this world) diplomas. Surely, a college degree without due understanding of Deen is far apart from beneficial knowledge. The Most Courteous, and Well-Acquainted subhanahu, has said: {Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who turns away from Our reminder (this Qur’an) and desires nothing but the life of this world. That is what they could reach of knowledge. Verily, your Lord it is He Who knows best him who goes astray from His path, and He knows best him who receives guidance.} (An-Najm: 29, 30). Therefore, we as an Ummah (Nation) shall not rise again, except if we add the understanding of our Monotheistic Deen to the knowledge of dunya. The shining proof for this is Allah ta’ala’s saying: {He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful * (It is) a promise of Allah, and Allah fails not in His promise, but most of men know not * They know only the outside appearance of the life of this world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.} (Ar-Rum: 6-8). Some youth are too lazy to seek knowledge. They say that they intend to read a book of Tafsir and a book of Sirah, but they never start reading neither of them. Others register in college and choose their majors carefully; but in the end, they do not finish and they waste all their effort. Allah ta’ala has said about such people: {O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.} (As-Saff: 2, 3). We need to mention a very crucial matter, without which we cannot straighten our path. It is the unity of our Ummah and its gathering around the guidance of Allah, the Truth; for we shall have no strength, no success and no civilization without following Allah’s guidance, which is assured in His Book jalla jalaluhu and the Sunnah of His Prophet —may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah ta’ala said: {And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.} (Al-‘Imran: 105). He has said subhanahu: {He

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(Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nuh, and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim, Musa and ‘Isa saying you should establish religion and make no divisions in it (i.e. various sects).} (Ash-Shura: 13). He also mentioned ‘azza wa jall: {Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you (O Muhammad) have no concern with them in the least.} (Al-An’am: 159). On the other hand, the Messenger of Allah —peace and blessings be upon him and his family— told the Ansar may Allah be pleased with them: [Did I not find you astray and Allah guided you through me? And in state of disunity and Allah united you through me? And (in the state of) being destitute and Allah made you free from want through me?] (Agreed Upon). Notice how he joined disunity with poverty and misguidance. Thus, if we want to bring back our power and civilization, we need to unite our word around the Qur’an and Sunnah, with the interpretation of the salaf (predecessors) of our Ummah (Nation). Correspondingly, Imam Malik —peace be upon him— said: “The later generations of this Ummah (Nation) will not be reformed, except with that which reformed the first generations.” (Sahih: Hujjat An-Nabiyy, Al-Albany) This is all the amazing information that I have come across from the many biographies of our genius and pious scholars, and from the treasures and lights that the All-Rich and Generous had revealed to them. Allah —exalted is His Power— has made of their eternal achievement an evidence to show how He beautifully thanks His sincere slaves, as well as a light to guide their successors who learn from the past. Accomplishment is reached only with the help of Allah, the Strong and Firm. Finally, I say what a poet once said: We do not —though our predecessors were exalted depend one day solely on our predecessors. We build like our early ones built, and we act like they acted. If I were right, it was from Allah Alone. However, if I were wrong, it was from me and from Shaytan. Do not forget me —my loved ones— in your righteous invocation! Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise is to You. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek your forgiveness and repent to You. O Allah, bestow your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, and bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have bestowed your favor on, and blessed, Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

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References The Noble Qur'an, Translated by Dr. Al-Hilali and Dr. Khan. 1- Ibn Al-Baytar, The most important botanist in the middle ages. Dr. Bassam 'Aleeq. www.bab.com/articles/full_article.cfm?id=7173 2 – Ibn Al-'Awwam Al'Ishbili and the Andalusian Science of Agriculture. Dr. www.landcivi.com/new_page_70.htm 3 – Bunat Al-Fikr Al-'Ilmiyy, Halimah Al-Gharary. [Hydraulics] 4 – Al-Barid, Wizarat Al-Awqaf Al-Misriyyah. [Postal Service] www.islamic-council.com/mafaheemux/3/18.asp 5 – The History of Mathematics, Cadel Boyd. 6 – Tafsir Al-Qur'an, Ibn Kathir. 7 – Hujjat An-Nabiyy, Muhammad Naser Ad-Din Al-Albany. 8 – Mashahir Al-Kurd fi At-Tarikh Al-Islamiy, Dr. Ahmad Al-Khalil. [Nutrition] 9 – Sahih Al-Jame', Muhammad Naser Ad-Din Al-Albany. 10- Sahih Muslim bi Sharh An-Nawawiyy, Yahya An-Nawawiyy. 11- Al-Gharnaty and the science of agriculture, Dr. Muhammad Hisham An-Na'san. www.landcivi.com/new_page_106.htm 12- Al-'Ibar, Ibn Khaldun. [History][Political Science]

13- Muslim Geographers, Ahmad Shalabi. [Geography] www.darululoom-deoband.com/arabic/magazine/1174884265/fix4sub4file.html

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14- Fath Al-Bari Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari, Ibn Hajar Al-'Asqalani. 15- Fayd Al-Qadeer Sharh Al-Jame' As-Saghir, Al-Manawi. 16- Majallat Al-Waha, Ziryab fi Al-Andalus, Majid 'Asharif 15/10/1007. 17- Ash-Shabaka Al-Islamiyyah Lil Atfal. [Medicine] [Astronomy] http://kids.islamweb.net/subjects/eshamatteb.html 18- Ash-Shabaka Al-Islamiyyah, Jabir ibn Hayyan. [Chemistry] http://www.islamweb.net/media/index.php?page=article&lang=A&id=63955 19- Jaridat Ar-Riyad. [Postal Service] http://www.alriyadh.com/2005/06/17/article72891.html 20- Political Science in the Muslim World, Dr. Ahmad Aljubayr. http://aljobair.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-post_7936.html 21- Islamic Economics, Dr. Samer Madh'har Qantaqjiy. http://www.mail-archive.com/kantakjigroup@googlegroups.com/msg00152.html 22- Encyclopedia Britannica. [Many References] http://www.britannica.com/ 23- The Story of Islam, Dr. Raghib As-Sarjani. [Many References] http://www.islamstory.com/ 24- BBC News. [Parks] http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_4169000/4169529.stm 25- Al-Jazeerah News. [History] http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/15AF3449-7270-4596-9FAF-1974DCA4BFFA.htm

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26- Markaz Al-Madinah, Dr. 'Arif Samman. [Compass] http://mmsec.com/m1-eng/engtrek.htm 27- The Golden Age of the Moor, Sertima Ivan Van (1992). [Hydraulics] 28- Plough, Sword and Book. Ernest Gellner. (p 239) [Political Science] 29- The Heritage Foundation, The Laffer Curve. [Economics] http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/bg1765.cfm 30- Jabir ibn Hayan, Holmyard E. John, Proc. the Royal Society of Medicine, Section History of Medicine, vol. 16, 1923, pp. 46-57. [Chemistry] 31- Huellas del Islam en la Literatura Espanola, Dr. Luce Lopez. [Modern streets] 32- The Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, UK. [Many Rererences] http://www.muslimheritage.com/ 33- Precolumbian Muslims in the Americas, Dr. Youssef Mroueh. [Geography] http://www.jannah.org/articles/precolumbus.html 34- Research Committee of Strasburg University, Imam Jafar Ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq. The Great Muslim Scientist and Philosopher, translated by Kaukab Ali Mirza, 2000. Willowdale Ont. ISBN0969949014. [Physics]

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Book Index

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1 Introduction 19 Coffee and Food 4 Medicine 20 Words 5 Mathematics 21 Dietetics 6 Chemistry 22 Architecture 7 Astronomy 23 Hydraulics 8 Physics 24 Modern Streets 9 Optics 25 Parks 10 Aerodynamics 26 History 11 Windmills 27 Geology 12 Clock 28 Economics 13 Compass 29 Postal Service 14 Political Science 30 Craft 15 Geography 31 University 16 Zoology 32 Conclusion 17 Botany 34 References 18 Pharmacy 37 Book Index

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