Muslim Science

Medicinal
The Islamic world helped developed many
medicinal things that we still use today:
•Hospitals
•Surgery
•Pharmacology
 Hospitals
Before the Muslims, there
were no hospitals as we
know today. But the
Muslims were the ones
that figured out to
quarantine people who
were sick. They
concluded that diseases
could travel by air, and
the purpose of early
hospitals was to prevent
spreading of diseases.
 Surgery
The Muslims made
many
advancements in
surgery, especially
in eye surgery.
They were also
among the first to
use anesthetics,
such as opium.
 Pharmacology
The Muslims inherited
great knowledge in
Pharmacology from the
Greeks, Persians and
Indians. They also studied
many things themselves,
such as herbs and the
effects of many drugs.
They also had numerous
medical books devoted to
the subject of drugs.
 Astronomy
Muslims learned to study the stars as well,
and made many advancements there:
•Observatories
•The Astrolabe
•Calendar Accuracy
 Observatories
The Islamic world was
also the first to come up
with the idea of scientific
observatories. Their
observatories were what
European observatories
were based upon, which
are the forerunners to
our modern
observatories today.
 The Astrolabe
One of the main Muslim
advances in astronomy was
the astrolabe. It was a fairly
simple little device, and
made star gazing very much
easier. The more mechanical
versions of the Astrolabe are
considered the forerunner to
the mechanical clock, what
we use today.
 Calendar Accuracy
Islamic knowledge was
very beneficial,
creating a calendar
that, instead of like
ours being off one day
every 4 years, it is off
one day every 3770
years, which means
that it has not added a
day since its creation.
 Basic Science
The Islamic world also had great influence
in other areas of scientific study such as:
•Physics
•Scientific Method
•Zoology
•Chemistry
 Physics
Islamic people also knew
a lot about physics,
especially optics. They
were the first to truly
understand the eye and
about the optical illusion
of the sun and moon.
They also were the first to
fully explain the rainbow.
 Scientific Method
Before Islamic science
came up with it, there was
no formal scientific method.
Experiments could not be
repeated, and hence
conclusions could not be
drawn and advancements
not made. One The Muslim
world made up the sceintific
method, sceience could
really take off.
 Zoology
Muslims also
learned a lot about
animals, notably
horses and maybe
even hippos!! They
also learned a lot
about birds and a
lot about
domestication of
animals.
 Chemistry
The Islamic world also
made great
advancements in
alchemy, or chemistry.
We still use their acid-
base theory and still
categorize things into
animal, vegetable and
mineral, which they did
first.
 Important People
These great Muslim advancements in
science were the works of many great men,
a few of whom are outline here:

•Al-Biruni
•Ibn Sina
•Omar Khayyam
•Ibn Rushd
 Al-Biruni
( 973 – 1048)
A.D. A.D.

Abu Raihan Muhammad al-Biruni

pioneered the theory that the earth
rotated on an axis and observed
qualities of stones and flower petals.
He also figured out how to calculate
the direction to Mecca from any given
place and established trigonometry
distinctly in mathematics. Because of
these advancements, he is often
considered the greatest scientist of all
time.
 Ibn Sina
( 980 – 1037)
A.D. A.D.

Abu Ali al-Husayn Ibn Abdullah

Ibn Sina was a great scientist and
physician and treated many kings.
He also wrote a medical textbook
called Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb which
was the medical authority until
about A.D.605. He also realized
many ways that diseases could be
spread and came up with ways to
contain them.
 Omar( 1048
Khayyam
A.D.– 1122)
A.D.

Ghiyath al-Din Abul Fatah

Umar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyam
made advanced in nearly every
field but most notably in
astronomy. The calendar he
developed round 1090 is still
more acurate than the one we
use today; While we add a day
every four years, he added one
only every 3770 years.
 Ibn Rushd
( 1126 – 1198)
A.D. A.D.

Abu'l Waleed Muhammad Ibn

Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn
Rushd wrote a book called Kitab
al-Kulyat fi al-Tibb. He was also
the personal physician to
important caliphs, and was also
a great philosopher. His many
books were still used throughout
Europe in the 19th century.
 Bibliography
• http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/is
• http://
www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/introduction/woi_know
• http://
www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/le
/
• http://www.islam-usa.com/im4.html