|
|
|
The pioneers
Any discussion of the World Year of Physics would certainly be incomplete if one does not mention the role Muslim scientists played in the development of the subject. Today when we appreciate the scientific inventions of western minds, we must also be aware of the contributions made by Muslim scientists.
More often than not, these scientists distinguished themselves not only as theoretical scientists and scientific thinkers, but they also contributed towards the development of science through countless inventions. They replaced some Greek theories with practical concepts. Let’s take a look at some of these scientists and their contributions.
Al-Kindi
Originally from Iraq, Al-Kindi was one of the most dominating physicists of the Islamic world who wrote more than 265 books on physics, astrology, philosophy and alchemy. Unfortunately, most of his work is lost now. Those that have survived have been translated into many languages.
Most of his works are on meteorology, specific weight of objects, tides, optics, reflection of light and music. He applied mathematics to physics and proved his theories with mathematical calculations. Al-Kindi has been described as the philosopher of Renaissance by many western scientists. Also, he determined the laws governing the free fall of bodies.
Al-Razi
Abu Bakr Mohammad Ibn Zakariya al-Razi ascertained specific gravity by means of hydrostatic balance and called it Mizan-al-Tabii. His writings are related to matter, space, time and motion. According to his theory, matter in the primitive state before the creation of the world consisted of scattered atoms. Mixed in different proportions with articles of the void, these atoms produced five elements, namely earth, air, water, fire and celestial elements. Al-Razi also proposed that fire was produced by striking iron on the stone.
Al-Beruni
Abu Rayhan Al-Beruni was a versatile Muslim thinker. In physics, he made numerous contributions. He accurately determined the weight of 18 stones at a time when resources were scarce. Al-Beruni discovered that light travelled faster than sound. His book, Kitab al Jawahir discusses different types of gems and their specific gravity. Sadly, most of his books have been lost.
Al-Khazini
Abdul Rahman Al-Khazini was a well-known scientist of his time, who explained that density of water increased as it neared the centre of Earth. Roger Bacon, who proved the same hypothesis later, based his proofs on the earlier theories proposed by Al-Khazini.
Al-Khazini’s book Kitab Muzan Al-Hikma deals with gravity and consists of density tables of various solids and liquids.
Abul Hassan
Abul Hassan was a prominent and distinguished Muslim scientist. He was the inventor of the telescope and called it a tube. The telescope helped Muslim astronomers in their astrological studies. Later, the telescope was modified by western scientists.
Ibn Yunus
He invented the pendulum and was referred to as a genius during the reign of Aziz Billah and Hakim Bi-Amr-illah (Egypt). The development of the pendulum led to the measurement of time by its oscillations. His book, Sijul Akbar Al-Hakimi, was recognized as a magnum opus on the subject, replacing the work of Ptolemy.
Important inventions
1. Watch: The first watch was made by a Muslim scientist named Kutbi. During the period of Abbasis, its use was quite common. Once, Khalifa Harun-ar-Rashid sent a watch as gift to his contemporary the French Emperor, Charlemagne. It’s also said that Mustansariya, the famous Baghdad University, had a clock with a blue dial like the sky and a sun, which continually moved over its surface showing the time.
2. Marine compass: The marine compass, invented by Muslim scientists, revolutionized sea commerce and ocean shipping. It enabled Arabs to travel through stormy seas in search of land and market for their commodities.
3. Photographic instruments: Ibn al-Hashem developed the art of photography. Muhammad Musa, a scholar of geography, has the honour of inventing an instrument by which the Earth could be measured. Abu Solet Umayya developed an instrument in
1134AD, through which sunken ships were salvaged.
Muslim scientists continued to contribute for a period of more than 1,000 years. In fact, there is hardly any field of knowledge where they did not make their presence felt. Perhaps this is why a renowned European scientist and thinker confesses: “The Arabs had wielded the arms with such remarkable success that they had become the masters … in a short span of few years, met with even greater success in the realm of knowledge.”
The writer (sabiha_essa@yahoo.com) is a student at the Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Karachi
|
|
|
|
