Observatories in Islamic History
Astronomy was always a matter of interest in Muslim lands. Muslim populations and their pre-Islam ancestors have always excelled in this fields of science.
With the establishment of the Islamic civilization, astronomy gained further prominence.
Muslim astronomers based their work on scientific experiments, analogy and deduction, which they applied in order to meet their need for determining the qiblah (direction of Mecca) and prayer times.
All major mosques accordingly appointed astronomers, who used instruments invented by Muslims.
During the Abbasid period, particularly during the caliphate of Haroon Ar-Rashid, astronomy gained a special status; this period witnessed the unprecedented construction of large observatories with permanent structures that housed huge, carefully crafted instruments.
A sizable number of astronomers were associated with these observatories, which were looked after by the state.
According to Ayden Sayali, an outstanding Turkish researcher who studied astronomical observatories, Islam gave rise to an environment that supported the institutionalization of observatories by creating conditions that were conducive to their establishment and development.
Astronomy enjoyed a special status in the Muslim world, and Muslims were keenly interested in direct observation, accurate measurement and mathematical theories.
Muslims scholars were inclined to specialization and had empirical tendencies. Astronomers crafted larger instruments and preferred to work in teams.
Observatories during the Al-Ma’moon era were used for specific research programs. The foremost objective of the astronomers who worked at these early observatories was to draw up astronomical tables based on recent observations of the sun and the moon.
Apart from the limitations of these programs, the management and financing methods used at these observatories were somewhat undeveloped.
Because of the limited tasks assigned to Ma’moon’s observatories set up in Ash-Shimasia and Qasioon, they can’t be compared with the more modernized observatories that were later established in the Muslim world.
The more developed Islamic observatories, which were administratively more organized, were built 1-½ centuries after Al-Ma’moon.
When the Sharaf Ad-Dawlah Observatory was established, a director was appointed to manage it, and the observation program was broadened to include all planets.
It is believed that this program was implemented in two stages, as there is evidence indicating that early observations were limited to fast-moving planets along with the sun and the moon.
The primary objective of this observatory was to draw up new astronomical tables of all the planets based on the most recent observations.
Owing to the advancement in this field, there was an inclination towards making instruments that increased in size over time and for appointing efficient specialized staff.
The development of observatories strengthened the belief that it was the caliphs and kings who were originally behind the establishment of observatories as state institutions.
The work achieved at the observatory built by the Seljuk Sultan Malik Shah in Baghdad marked a new phase in observation development.
There isn’t much information available about the work done at this observatory, but it remained in service for over 20 years, a relatively long period compared to other observatories.
However, astronomers at the time felt that a period of at least 30 years was required to complete any astronomical achievement.
Al-Marageh Observatory
Only part of the sextant and the foundation of the Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand have been preserved.
This observatory, considered one of the most important observatories in Islamic history, was built in the seventh century AH (after Hijrah), making this century accordingly the most important era in the history of Islamic observatories.
This observatory, the ruins of which can still be seen today, was built outside the city of Marageh, close to the city of Tabriz in Iran.
The observatory was built by Holako’s brother, Manjo, who was interested in mathematics and astronomy.
He entrusted Jamal Ad-Din Bin Muhammad Bin Az-Zazidi Al-Bukhari with the establishment of this observatory and sought the assistance of a large number of scientists, such as Nasr Ad-Din At-Tusi, Ali Bin Umar Al-Ghazwini, Muayid Ad-Din Al-‘Ardi, Fakhr Ad-Din Al-Maraghi, and Muhiyd-Din Al-Maghribi.
The Marageh Observatory is considered the first observatory to utilize an endowment fund that was set up by Muslims, through land and property, to ensure the continuous running of the observatory, which remained in operation throughout the rule of seven consecutive sultans who maintained it until 1316 AH.
This observatory was also an important learning center for students who studied astronomy and learned how to operate astronomical instruments. It also had a large library that contained thousands of manuscripts on various disciplines.
Samarkand Observatory
This observatory was established in Sarmarkand by Ulugh Beg, the grandson of Tamerlane (Timur the Lame).
The location of this observatory was discovered in 1908, when Russian archaeologist Viatken discovered an endowment document that stated the observatory’s exact location.
While working at the excavation site, he found one of the most important astronomical instruments used at the observatory: a large arch that had been used to determine midday.
The yard of this 21-metre-high observatory mounted a hill with a rocky foot.
The area of the hilltop was 170m (north-south) by 85m (east-west). The garden as well as the staff residences that surrounded the observatory’s main building are indicative of its grandeur.
The archaeological findings also showed that the building was cylindrical in shape, with an elaborate, well-designed interior.
Viatken was of the opinion that the destruction of the observatory was not caused by natural elements and that it could have partially resulted from the removal of its marble slabs, which were used in the construction of other buildings.
Using the dome of the observatory, astronomers developed the Ulugh Beg Tables, which are considered one of the most accurate astronomical tables in the world.
The dome had inscriptions that marked the degrees, minutes, seconds, and tenths of a second of the epicycles, the seven planets, and the fixed stars, as well as the earth and its regions, mountains, and deserts.
Among the astronomers who worked at this observatory was Ghiyath Ad-Din Al-Khashi, who excelled in mechanical modeling of celestial movement.
Following the Prophetic Science: Dieting, Nutrition & Cure
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the recipient of Allah’s Divine Hikmah. Allah chose him to receive it through Wahi (revelation). His entire life was, therefore, an epitome of success in health, hygiene, mental precision and human relationships.
The Prophet taught his followers to have a peaceful mind though acceptance in life changes. He warned them not to be engulfed with anxiety, depression, or anger.
The Prophet made a point of developing remarkably clean and healthy eating habits among his followers. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) gave great importance to personal hygiene, dieting and he encouraged others to do so as well.
There are numerous instances concerning the emphasis the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) placed on health and here. It’s amusing to note that modern science, medicine and even fashion have come full circle in reiterating what Muhammad (PBUH) did 14 centuries ago.
Kurdish Muslim Who Has a Lunar Crater
Kurds are a Muslim-majority Indo-European ethnic group who live in the Middle East. They number about 35 millions according to the Kurdish Institute of Paris.
These people enjoy a long history of Islamic heritage and they’ve contributed a lot to the Islamic Civilization. Several renowned Muslim imams, scholars, intellectuals, scientists and warriors were Kurdish.
One example of these great Muslim intellects is the polymath Abu’l-Fida. This prince was an astronomer, geographer, biologist, philosopher and a historian. He governed Hama in Syria during the Ayyubid Dynasty in the 14th century.
Abu’l-Fida was born in Damascus, Syria. During childhood, he devoted himself to studying the Holy Qur’an and different natural sciences. Moreover, he was a brave warlord and a strategist.
The Muslim World was passing by harsh times of mongol and crusader attacks during his time. However, Abu’l-Fida’s reign in Syria which spanned over 20 years was tranquil, splendid and devoted to good governance. Besides, he has fulfilled the several works for he is famed.
In appreciation to his scientific achievements, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named a lunar crater after his name ‘Abulfeda’.
Up To the Moon
Abulfeda is a lunar impact crater located in the central highlands of the Moon. To the northeast is the crater Descartes, and to the south-southeast is Almanon. To the north is the crater Dollond.
There’s a chain of craters named the Catena Abulfedaruns between the southern rim of Abulfeda and the north rim of Almanon. Then, it continues for a length of 210 km across the Rupes Altai.
Both the south and northeast sides of Abulfeda crater rim are overlain by multiple small craterlets. The inner wall is noticeably wider in the east, and shallow and worn to the north.
Astronomers found that either ejecta from the Mare Imbrium or basaltic lava has resurfaced the crater’s floor. It’s relatively smooth and featureless. The crater lacks a central rise at the midpoint.
Moreover, the inner sides appear to have been somewhat smoothed down. That’s most likely as a result of minor bombardment and seismic shaking from other impacts in the vicinity.
The crater’s diameter is 62 km and its depth is 3.1 km. If you’d like to observe the crater yourself using a telescope, its Selenographic coordinates on the surface of the Moon are 13.8°S 13.9°E.
Who’s World’s First Algebraist?
Al-Khawarizmi worked as a scholar in the governmental scientific institute “The House of Wisdom”. That was in Baghdad, the then capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate.
From fast cars and aeroplanes to computer encryption – mathematics underpins so much of modern life.
In this episode, Jim Al-Khalili uncovers how the Islamic World’s mathematicians have mastered science and laid the foundations of algebra. In fact, this era spans over time between the 9th and 14th centuries.
He looks at the modern mathematics behind flight, and behind the record-breaking fastest car in the world, tracing the route back from these achievements to the legacy of the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi.
We also discover the role that the Islamic world played in giving us the modern numeral system that we take for granted in everyday life.
Additionally, in the Sulemaniye Library in Istanbul, Jim uncovers a rare text by Al Kindi – perhaps the world’s earliest mathematical code breaker.
New Science
Algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols. It’s a unifying thread of almost all of mathematics.
As such, it includes everything from elementary equation solving to the study of abstractions such as groups, rings, and fields.
The word algebra comes from the Arabic ‘al-jabr’. It means ‘the reunion of broken parts. Actually, this was the title of the book Ilm al-jabr wa’l-muḳābala of Al-Khwarizmi.
The word entered the English language during the 15th century, from either Spanish, Italian, or Medieval Latin. It originally referred to the surgical procedure of setting broken or dislocated bones.
Prominent Muslim Roboticists & Inventors
How great are the Iraqi Banu Musa brothers of the 9th century? What are the achievements of the Andalusian engineer Abbas Ibn Firnas? Would you like to know about the roboticist Al-Jazari who lived in the 12th century?
Jim Al-Khalili will guide us through the work of the roboticists and innovators of the Golden Age of science (9th – 14thcenturies).
In fact, he looks at state-of-the-art robotic engineering and studies the history of early automatic machines.
Marvelous Ideas
He unpicks the principles behind the trick devices of Banu Musa brothers in the 9th century. Also, he shows a modern reconstruction of their ingenious ‘flute that plays itself’.
Additionally, Jim shows the intricate clocks and sophisticated water pumps designed by 12th century engineer Al-Jazari.
And he analyses the claims made of Abbas Ibn Firnas – who supposedly managed to get airborne all the way back in the 9th century.
