Muslim Inventions That Shaped the World

Islam has a rich history of scientific and technological advancements. From the early years of Islamic civilization, Muslim scholars excelled in multiple fields, contributing immensely to the growth of human knowledge. Let's explore some of the remarkable inventions that emerged from the Muslim world and that continue to shape our lives today.

Algebra: The Language of Mathematics

Algebra, a branch of mathematics that deals with equations and unknown quantities, owes much of its development to Muslim scholars. The Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi made significant contributions by introducing systematic ways to solve equations in the 9th century. His book "Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" laid the foundation for algebraic notation and techniques, which formed the basis for modern algebra as we know it today.

Coffee: Aromatic Beverage of the Morning

Coffee, an integral part of daily life for many people, has its roots in the Muslim world. A Sufi monk named Sheikh Omar discovered the rejuvenating effects of coffee beans in the 9th century in Yemen. The popularity of coffee quickly spread throughout the Islamic world, with coffee houses becoming centers for social gatherings and intellectual discourse. From there, coffee cultivation and consumption extended to other regions, shaping global cultural practices and economic networks.

Surgery: Advancing Medical Techniques

Muslim physicians greatly elevated the field of surgery through their groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. Al-Zahrawi, a physician from Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain), is considered the father of modern surgery. In the 10th century, he published a comprehensive medical encyclopedia called "Al-Tasrif," which highlighted surgical techniques, instruments, and anesthesia. His work influenced medical practices in Europe for centuries, contributing to the development of surgery as a specialized field of medicine. Zahrawi made numerous inventions, one of which was the use of dissolving cat gut to sew wounds; previously, sutures had to be removed by a second procedure. It is also said that he invented the first pair of forceps and carried out the first cesarean section.

First Degree-Granting University in the World

In Fez, Morocco, a young princess named Fatima al-Firhi established the first university to award degrees in the year 859. The buildings formed the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University after her sister Miriam established a nearby mosque. The mosque and university served as a haven for Islamic scholars and provided a vital center for education in various disciplines. Being the first university in the world, al-Qarawiyyin played a crucial role in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age. The professional atmosphere fostered at this prestigious institution facilitated rigorous academic studies, advancing fields such as mathematics, astronomy, theology, and jurisprudence. With its rich Islamic heritage and enduring commitment to education, the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University remain a symbol of intellectual pursuit and cultural enlightenment. Remaining operational for nearly 1,200 years, the institution reminds people that education is fundamental to Islamic heritage, and the tale of the al-Firhi sisters is a motivation for modern Muslim women worldwide.

Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University in Fez, Morocco

The Astrolabe: Navigating the Skies

The astrolabe, a sophisticated instrument used to measure the position of celestial objects, was invented by Muslim astronomers in the 8th century. This remarkable device enabled sailors and explorers to navigate the vast oceans with precision, revolutionizing the field of navigation. The astrolabe not only facilitated sea voyages but also played a crucial role in the study of astronomy, allowing astronomers to observe the stars and planets with remarkable accuracy.

The astrolabe resembles a compass

Field of Optics & Astronomy

Many of the most important advances in the study of optics come from the Muslim world. The mathematician and astronomer Ibn al-Haytham made major contributions to the principles of optics and the application of scientific experiments. He was born in Basra, Iraq, in 965. Around the year 1000, Ibn al-Haytham disproved Euclid and Ptolemy's views that light was emitted from the eye itself by demonstrating that humans see objects through light reflecting off of them and entering the eye. The camera obscura phenomenon, which explains why the eye sees images upright because of the relationship between the optic nerve and the brain, was also discovered by this illustrious Muslim physicist.