How Did the Spread of Islam Affect the Development of








Science?








Islam instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation. Within








a few years of the spread of Islam, great civilizations and universities were








flourishing. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas, and of new thought with








old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy,








geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems, such as








algebra, the Arabic numerals, and the concept of zero (vital to the advancement of








mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from the Muslim








world. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European








voyages of discovery, such as the astrolabe, the quadrant, and good navigational








maps, were also developed by Muslims.








The Astrolabe: One of the most important scientific








instruments developed by Muslims which was also used








widely in the West until modern times.








Muslim physicians paid much attention to surgery and developed many surgical








instruments as seen in this old manuscript.