What are the achievements of Islam in society?

Islam spread changed world history in all ways, and that’s what we will discover in this article. Let’s how Islam contributed to world development.

Why is Islam important to world history?

Islam is the second largest religion in the whole world. When the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) started sharing the message of Allah with the people of Mecca he and his followers were persecuted. Therefore, they migrated to Madinah in 622 where they were welcomed and treated with respect.

In Madinah, the number of Islamic followers increased and Muslims were once again able to return to Mecca in the year 630. Afterward, Mecca became the center of Islam. after the death of the prophet, his companions spread the religion to reach many people and countries.

The era after the prophet’s death is called Rashidun Caliphate and it lasted until 610. During the reign of the four Caliphas Islam spread and reached beyond the Middle East. When more and more non-Arabic speakers entered Islam there was a need for creating a standardized version of the holy Quran. which were made by the third caliph Uthman. Arabic and Quran were taught to the new Muslims and hundreds of mosques were built.

When the Umayyad Caliphate came Islam spread even more to reach parts of Asia, India, Northern Africa, and parts of Europe. And a common currency was made, Arabic became the official language and measurements were standardized. Later on, came the golden age of Islam in which Muslims thrived in all fields including science, math, astronomy, medicine, and literature. In the golden age of Islam libraries and schools were built.

What are the achievements of Islam in society?

Islam is not just about the acts of religion. Islam includes how people interact with each other, help one another, and do what is good for the world. For instance, when the prophet entered the mosque and found a man worshipping Allah. he was told that man does nothing but worship Allah. The prophet asked how the man earn his money and he was told that his brother is the one who supported him. The prophet then said that the man’s brother is the one who earns more good deeds.

Islam includes all aspects of life; Muslims aim to execute the teaching of Islam and the word of Allah. Muslims should do what’s right and defend it and stand in the face of wrong.

The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “If someone among you sees wrong, he must right it by his hand if he can (deed, conduct, action). If he cannot, then by his tongue (speak up, verbally oppose); if he cannot, then by his gaze (silent expression of disapproval); and if he cannot, then in his heart. The last is the minimum expression of his conviction (faith, courage).”

Islam is all about doing good deeds, helping the one in need, seeking knowledge, and worshipping Allah. Allah said in the holy Quran:

“You will never achieve righteousness until you donate some of what you cherish. And whatever you give is certainly well known to Allah.” [Qur’an 3:92]

 Allah described the true believer as follows:

“Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travelers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺.” [Qur’an 2:177]

 The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said:

“Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.”

 Here’s another hadith that shows how intentions matter the most:

“Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended.”

The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) also said:

“None of you (truly) believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

From this, we can conclude that the achievements of Islam in society is to do what’s right and help society to become better.

 

Who was one of the most famous Muslim historians?

There are many famous Muslim historians among them are:

Ibn Khaldun, one of his works Muqaddimah inspired other historians and historiographers. He is one of the founders of sociology, historiography, demography, and economics.

Another famous historian in Islamic history is Al-Tabari. Among his famous works are the two books “Tafseer al-Tabari” and “The History of al-Tabari”. He also wrote “The Enlightenment in the Features of Religion,” “The Book of Good Self and Noble Ethics,” and other books.

Imam al-Nawawi said: “The nation agreed that no one makes classifications like Al-Tabari.”

Ibn al-Atheer said: “Abu Jaafar is the most accurate one who narrated the history, his interpretation indicates the abundant and investigation, he was diligent in the provisions of religion and did not imitate anyone, but he was imitated by some people who followed his sayings and opinions. He was black, slim body, and was a good speaker.”

 

Who are the most famous Islamic scholars?

Muslim scholars have had a great influence on world history. the Islamic empire made huge scientific discoveries in all fields including mathematics, science, philosophy, physics, geography, and medicine that helped in shaping the world we live in now. Here are some of the most famous Islamic scholars.

 

Famous ancient Islamic scholars

• Al-Haytham: one of the most known theoretical physicists who made contributions in many fields like optics, astronomy, and mathematics. He made a breakthrough in the optics field that inspired Western scientists. He also described how experiments should be performed.

• Al-Khwarizmi: one of the famous mathematicians he was known as the “Father of Algebra.” Due to his innovative work on solving equations. The word Algebra itself came from one of his works that is called “al-jabr.” Even the word algorithm was taken from his Westernized name. he also made contributions in other fields like trigonometry, astronomy, and geography.

• Al-Kindi: he is known as the “Father of Arab Philosophy.” Due to his many works in philosophy. He studied the Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle, which inspired him. He also studied mathematics, music, and medicine.

• Al-Nafis: he is a famous physician. One of his famous works is his description of how the blood flows from the right side of the heart, then to the lungs, and then back to the left side of the heart.
• Al-Razi: one of the famous doctors who wrote many books in the medical field that inspired and were used later on by Western medicine schools to teach medicine.
• Al-Zahrawi: a famous doctor who is known as the “Father of Surgery.” He wrote many books in the field.
• Ibn Sina: he is one of the famous Islamic scholars who contributed in many areas like astronomy, geography, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy. He wrote the famous book “The Canon of Medicine” which was used as a textbook in medical schools for several hundred years.

How Islam contributed to the rise of science in the Middle Ages?

Science and Technology flourished during the Islamic Golden Age from around 780 CE to 1248 CE. During this time, scholars in the Middle East made great advances in the areas of mathematics, physics, geography, and medicine.

During the Islamic golden age, Arabic culture and Islam spread to North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southern Europe.

The Era refers to the time when there was thriving in all fields, medicine, art, commerce, engineering, education, and science.

How did Muslims contribute to science?

During the golden age of Islam, the Islamic empire was the center of trading goods, knowledge, and everything. 

Muslim scientists created a calendar and managed to use astronomy for navigation, which was then used to find the direction of Mecca to face when praying. Scientists also studied the sky through observation. Learned from Greek, Indian, and Chinese mathematics.

During the golden age, Muslim mathematics separated the algebra field of mathematics as they excelled and pioneered in it.

The use of Indian numerals made the trading process and exchange easier. it also helped in banking innovations.

Also, art flourished during that time and they came up with patterns and designs such as and calligraphy, tessellations. Also, they excelled in painting miniature works for book illustrations.

 

What scientific advances were made by early Muslims?

The Abbasid Caliphs Harun al-Rashid and his son al-Ma’mun had a great interest in spreading knowledge. Therefore, they built the house of Wisdom in Baghdad where all scholars came to work together in a peaceful environment. Whether Muslims, Christians, and Jews they all worked in peace.

The Abbasid Caliphs Harun al-Rashid and his son al-Ma’mun also encouraged the translation movement of Greek works into Arabic. But why did they have encouraged that? Because they wanted to build a library of knowledge. Where all the knowledge needed can be found in all kinds of fields. Therefore, the scholars translated philosophy, science, and medical texts. The Abbasid Caliphs Harun al-Rashid and his son al-Ma’mun wanted to excel in the field of medicine by accessing the library of knowledge.

What helped the spreading of knowledge and the building of the library of knowledge so fast during the Golden Age of Islam was the knowledge of how to make paper that they learned from the Chinese prisoners.

During the golden age of Islam, there was great innovation in the medical field. Most of the tools that are used now in surgeries were invented in that era. Tools like forceps, scalpels, and catgut for stitching wounds. They were invented by a famous surgent called al-Zahrawi. That’s not the only thing he did. He also wrote a manual on medical practices of 1500 pages.

Through the golden age of Islam, personal hygiene items were provided, like soap and toothbrushes.

Also, Muslims took the knowledge of how to make paper from the Chinese prisoners. And they used it to spread knowledge and education. Also, Paper mills were invented which made it easier to spread knowledge and the Muslim’s work.

Muslims traveled a lot for trading and to spread Islam, so the cartographer and scholar Al-Idrisi used that knowledge to make the most modern version of the world map during their time.

The basis of algebra was invented by Muhammad bin Musa al-Kwacrizmi.

Many other discoveries were made by Muslims. For instance, Abbas ibn Firnas was the first one to try to build a flying machine. In 859 Fatima al-Firhi build the first degree-granting university in Fez, Morocco. Al-Haitham made a breakthrough in the field of optics and he is famous for his work. The first hospital was built by Ahmad ibn Tulun in Cairo to provide medical care for anyone who needs it for free. Furthermore, Al-Jazari was the one who discovered the crank that helps in lifting heavy objects with a small force.

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