Islamic publishing house, Baitul Hikmah has launched a fascinating collection of 10 easy to read books on the contribution by Muslim scholars who over 611 years changed much of the world. Each book contains 24 pages and while it is aimed at children, adults would find that it makes fascinating reading.
The collection is available and is expected to be extremely popular across a wide section of the South African nation, especially since some of the personalities have been enigmas for many decades. Professionally printed with glossy cars, each book is no more than 24 pages and is written in a simple text which makes enjoyable, yet informative reading. These books bring to life the illustrious history and character of each of these luminaries and whilst this is not a definite list it is the beginning of getting to know these historic personalities.
Included in this illustrious line up is Jabir Ibn Hayyan, who is regarded to be “a person of encyclopedic learning.” – an expert on a number of subjects. He made contributions to Chemistry, astrology, astronomy, geography, philosophy, and pharmacy and was the first known practical alchemist. (someone turns ordinary metals to gold).
Ibn Al Khwarizmi, is known as the father of Algebra and this subject got its name from his book, Al Jabrwa-al Muqabilah which was written in 820AD. He was a mathematician, astronomer and geographer. He introduced Arabic numerals and algebra into European mathematics. He worked at the “House of Wisdom” in Baghdad, which was founded by Caliph Al-Mamun. He lived during the “Islamic Golden Age.
Al Razi, he contributed “generously” to the fields of medicine and pharmacology. He was a noted physician and free-thinking philosopher. There is a famous story about him being consulted about the building of the Muqtadari Hospital in Baghdad. He hung pieces of meat at various locations. A week later he chose the spot where the meat was least rotten. He is also quoted often: “If a physician can treat a patient through nutrition rather than medicine, then he has done the best thing.”
Ibn Al Haytham contributed significantly to optics, astronomy, mathematics, meteorology, visual perception and scientific methods. He conducted a number of experiments with light and gravity. He studied the works of Ancient Greek scholars. He is also regarded as the founder of the experimental method that forms the most basic tenet of modern science today.
Al Beruni, was born in Uzbekistan and was a scientist and scholar of Islamic history. He studied the works of Turkish, Syrian, Persian, Greek and Hebrew through Arabic translations. He mastered subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, chronology, physics, medicine, mineralogy, history and palmistry. Although he was Persian his language of scholarship was Arabic.
Ibn Sina was just 16 when he launched his practice of medicine and treated people that were ill. He also handled legal disputes and apart from being a mathematician and philosopher, he was also a doctor and lawyer. He wrote some of his most important principles in medicine in poetry.
Omar Al Khayyam came from Afghanistan and chose Samarqand as his place of learning. He was an astronomer who wrote intricate studies on mathematics and geometry. In 1074, he was invited by the powerful Seljuq Sultan, Malik Shah Jalal al-din to build an observatory in Isfahan. He was also charged with the responsibility to establish the length of the solar year, which he measured to be 365.24219858156 days.
Ibn Al-Baitar was a top-flight botanist and herbalist who contributed to the field of medicine and pharmacology. He grew up in a family of veterinary surgeons in Spain. While very young, he recognized the divide between Muslims and Christians and decided to leave home. He traveled to Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli and then Egypt. Finally, he moved to Damascus where he studied plant life in Syria, Palestine and Iraq and documented his findings in a number of books.
Ibn Batuta wanted to be a Judge, but changed his mind and became a world traveler, covering 73 000 miles, much more than Marco Polo. He documented his travels and recorded information, which was later, used by scholars. Through his journeys to exotic lands, he spread Islam.
Ibn Khaldun. Born in Tunisia and is regarded as one of the greatest Arab historians. He wrote many important works, with The Muqaddimah being his very best. He studied Muslim law, wrote important studies on Arabic literature. He also took a keen interest in history, geography, and philosophy. At the age of 20, he rose to become the Chief Secretary to the Sultan of Morocco.
The set of books is available from Baitul Hikmah at a cost of R240,00. Place your order for this set and other Islamic books of interest on their site: www.hikmah.co.za or [email protected] or 031 2073871.