PORTFOLIO OF ISLAMIC SCHOLARS/SCIENTISTS
NAME OF THE SCHOLAR: Abu al-’Izz Isma’il ibn al-Razzaz
al-Jazari
PROFILE
Al-Jazari is best known as the
first Arab mechanical engineer. He earned popularity for inventing machines. He
was not only an engineer by his occupation but also an inventor, scientist, a
skilled worker of handmade designs, and a mathematician. He worked on the
concepts behind the moving parts of machines of earlier Greek and Muslim
scholars. Al-Jazari gathered his lifetime work and wrote it in a book.[1] Facts Al-Jazari is known as
the ‘Father of Robotics’ today. Because he was the first to design machines
that ran in repeating rounds by themselves. He wrote a book in 1206 known as
‘The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices’. This book gives basic
knowledge of how to build machines and their parts. Around a hundred mechanical
devices are introduced in this book and the ways to build and run them. After a
few centuries, Leonardo Da Vinci, an Italian scientist, was inspired by
Al-Jazari’s work and used it in his inventions.[2]
 |
NAME: Abu
al-’Izz Isma’il ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari YEAR: 1136 -
1206 (AD) NATIONALITY: Jazira,
Artuqid State, Mesopotamia PROFESSIONS: a
scholar, inventor, mechanical engineer, artisan, artist and mathematician BOOKS:
The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices (Arabic: كتاب في معرفة الحيل
الهندسية, romanized: Kitab fi ma'rifat al-hiyal al-handasiya, lit. 'Book in
knowledge of engineering tricks |
CONTRIBUTIONS
 |
Al-Jazari’s
water device[3](CONTRIBUTION 1)
a. His other
well-known invention was the water-raising machine. This machine was used in
ponds, rivers or flowing canals to raise the water. The machine contained
bowls to fill the water and release it on earth to flow. b. Al-Jazari paid huge contributions to mechanical
engineering. He invented many new parts of machines. Among many of his
discoveries are some mechanical parts like shaft – a straight rod to move the
object around, and a pump – to raise the water to heights. |
 |
Elephant Clock[4] CONTRIBUTION 2
a.
It was invented to record the passage of time like modern time clocks. b. It is the 22 feet high Elephant clock c. It consists of a weight powered water clock
in the form of an elephant. The elements of the device are in the top part of
the elephant and every half hour or an hour they move and make a sound. d. He timing
mechanism is hidden inside the elephant and is based on a water-filled basin.
In the basin, there is a bucket, and inside the bucket, there is a deep bowl
which floats in the water with a small hole in its center. After half an
hour, the bowl is full of water entering through the center hole, and it pulls
a string attached to the top tower on the elephant. |
 |
Musical Robot band[5] CONTRIBUTION 3a. al-Jazari’s work described fountains and
musical automata, in which the flow of water alternated from one large tank
to another at hourly or half-hourly intervals. b.
This operation was achieved through his innovative use of hydraulic
switching. c.
al-Jazari created a musical automaton, which was a boat with four automatic
musicians that floated on a lake to entertain guests at royal drinking
parties d.
The drummer could be made to play different rhythms and different drum
patterns if the pegs were moved around. According to Charles B. Fowler, the
automata were a “robot band” which performed “more than fifty facial and body
actions during each musical selection.” |
 |
Recriprocating pump[6] CONTRIBUTION 4
The pump consists of two opposing copper cylinders,
each containing a piston. The two pistons are connected through a rod, which
is pin-jointed to a swinging arm pivoted at the base of the pump. The
arm is slotted so that a crank-pin on a gear wheel causes it to swing with
wheel rotation. The wheel is driven by a water wheel or an animal drive. The
two cylinders are connected to manifolds with inlet and outlet flap. The
flaps act as non-return valves. |
PORTFOLIO
NAME OF THE SCHOLAR: Abu Ali Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn
al-Haytham al-Basri
PROFILE
Alhazen or Abu Ali al-Hasan
ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham was an Arab polymath born in the tenth century AD.
Popularly known as the first scientist, Alhazen developed the scientific method
of experimentation and was the first person to formulate hypothesis and conduct
verifiable experiments. He was a scientist, philosopher, astronomer and
mathematician and made major contributions to the field of optics.[7] HE is known as the Father of Modern Optic.
 |
NAME:
Abu Ali Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham
al-Basri (known in the west as Alhacen or Alhazen)[8] YEAR: 965 - 1040
(AD) NATIONALITY Basra
in Southern Iraq PROFESSIONS: He
was a scientist, philosopher, astronomer and mathematician and made major
contributions to the field of optic BOOKS: Kitab Al Manazer (Book of
Optics)• Risalah fi al-Dawa’ (Treatise on Light)• Mizan al-Hikmah (Balance of
Wisdom)• Maqalah fi
al-Qarastun (Treatise on
Centers of Gravity)• Risalah fi
al-Makan (Treatise on the Place)•
Al-Shukuk al Batlamyus (Doubts
concerning Ptolemy)• On the Configuration of the World• The model of
the Motion of the Seven Planets |
CONTRIBUTIONS
 |
The Camera Obscura (CONTRIBUTION 1)[9]
a. Camera is a Latin word meaning an arched or
vaulted room, while obscura means dark. b. In ancient times, different cultures discovered
that a tiny hole in an external wall of a dark room allows images of the
outdoors to form upside down inside the room, as shown below. The effect can
also be seen in a pinhole camera, consisting of a dark box with a small hole
in it. c. Alhazen carried out experiments with pinhole
cameras and candles and explained correctly how the image is formed by rays
of light traveling in straight lines. d. Alhazen
conducted experiments on the propagation of light, colors, optic illusions
and reflection. He examined the refraction of light rays through transparent
medium (air, water) and documented the laws of refraction. Alhazen also
carried out the first experiment on the dispersion of light into the colors.
In detailing his experiment with spherical segments (glass, vessels filled
with water), he came very close to discovery the theory of magnifying lenses
which was developed in Italy three centuries later. [10] |
 Alhazen’s billiard
problem: at which point on the circular side of the table must you aim the
cue ball so that it hits the center of the red ball? Solve the problem for
the cue ball and red ball in all possible locations. |
Alhazen’s Billiard Problem CONTRIBUTION 2[11]
a.
As we have seen, Alhazen was fascinated by light and vision. This led him to make an intriguing
mathematical discovery that suggested a link between algebra and geometry. b. Alhazen
considered an observer and a mirror shaped like the inside of a circle. He
pictured a ray of light arriving at the mirror from a light source. He asked
the question: at what point on the mirror must a light ray arrive so that it
is reflected into the eye of the observer? He sought to solve the problem for
the light source and observer in any positions. This question became known as
Alhazen’s Problem, and is often called Alhazen’s Billiard Problem. c.
By means of long, complicated geometrical arguments and proofs, Alhazen
solved the problem by considering a circle’s intersection with a hyperbola. |
 Rotating the parabola
around the blue axis creates a hill-shaped paraboloid. |
The Sum of Fourth Powers CONTRIBUTION 3[12]
a. Alhazen discovered the formula for the sum of
fourth powers when he took on the challenge of calculating the volume of a
paraboloid. This is the 3D-shape you get by rotating a parabola around a flat
base. b. Alhazen
approached the problem in the way Eudoxus or Archimedes would have, by the
method of exhaustion, summing slices of the shape. Archimedes had used this
technique brilliantly to find the volume of a sphere. c.
In fact, the method Alhazen developed to discover the formula was valid for
any power, so he could have found the sum of the fifth power, sixth power,
seventh power, etc. |
 |
Astonomy 4[13]
a. While not counted among the greatest Arab
astronomers, his works show that he had mastered the techniques of Ptolemaic
astronomy. Some of these works also reveal his ability to solve the problems
that received attention from Arab astronomers, such as determining the Qiblah
(direction of prayer). b. Astronomers of the European Renaissance
were influenced by his work “On the Configuration of the World”,
where he continued to accept the physical reality of the geocentric model of
the universe, presenting a detailed description of the physical structure of
the celestial spheres |
PORTFOLIO
NAME OF THE SCHOLAR: Abu al-Qasim ‘Abbas ibn Firnas
ibn Wardus
PROFILE
‘Abbas Ibn Firnas pioneered
the study of aviation. Ibn Firnas invented a gliding device which managed to be
airborne for a short duration of time. Although he was badly injured during a
bad landing, he successfully pioneered the theory on the structure of
ornithopter which is a vital component for aircraft stability during landing.[14]
 |
NAME:
Abu al-Qasim ‘Abbas ibn Firnas ibn Wardus YEAR: 810 - 887
(AD) NATIONALITY: SPANISH PROFESSIONS:
an inventor, astronomer, physician, chemist,
engineer, Andalusi musician, and Arabic-language poet BOOKS: He
wrote many books on astronomy, avionics, physics, and engineering |
CONTRIBUTIONS
 |
Flying Machine (CONTRIBUTION 1)[15]
a. Abbas made his first flying machine in the year
875 that was constructed on a frame of bamboo. b. He covered the bamboo frame with lightweight silk
cloth and feather of eagles. c. The wings of the flying machine were not static,
but could be controlled during flight. When his machine was ready, Abbas
gathered a large audience to demonstrate them the flight. d. When the audience gathered, he jumped from a
large cliff and achieved a flight for 10 minutes. There was a flaw in his
design; he didn’t design any way of landing successfully. e. As a result, an accident happened to him during
landing which caused serious injuries. Later on, he mentioned in his book
about a tail for the flying machine for landing successfully. |
 |
Transparent Glass CONTRIBUTION 2[16]a. He
experimented sand and quartz crystals to understand their properties. b. He
also made very transparent glasses from them that became very famous as
Andalusian glasses. c. He
also made lenses from the transparent glass was become in correcting eyesight
problems of many people. |
 |
Water Powered Clock - CONTRIBUTION 3[17]
He designed a clock, known
as Al-Maqata, for keeping the accurate time that was totally powered by the
flow of water. |
PORTFOLIO
NAME OF THE SCHOLAR: Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn al-‘Abbas
al-Zahrawi al-Ansari
PROFILE
Abū al-Qāsim Khalaf ibn
al-'Abbās al-Zahrāwī al-Ansari, popularly known as Al-Zahrawi, Latinised as
Abulcasis, was an Arab Andalusian physician, surgeon and chemist. Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn al-Abbas Al-Zahrawi
(936-1013 CE), also known in the West as Albucasis, was an Andalusian
physician. He is considered as the greatest surgeon in the Islamic medical
tradition. His comprehensive medical texts, combining Middle Eastern and
Greco-Roman classical teachings, shaped European surgical procedures up until
the Renaissance. His greatest contribution to history is Kitab al-Tasrif, a
thirty-volume collection of medical practice, of which large portions were
translated into Latin and in other European languages.[18]
He is considered as the
‘Father of Modern Surgery’.[19]
 |
NAME:
Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn al-‘Abbas al-Zahrawi
al-Ansari YEAR: 936 - 1013
(AD) NATIONALITY: SPANISH PROFESSION: great
physician, pharmacist and pharmacologist. BOOKS: Kitab Al-Tasrif |
CONTRIBUTIONS
 |
Kitab-al-Tasrif (CONTRIBUTION 1)[20]
a. He compiled his knowledge and
observations in a thirty-volume medical compilation—‘Kitab-al-Tasrif’—which
immortalized him. The compendium was an embodiment of his accomplishments as
a physician and medical scholar as well as a seasoned surgeon. b. 'Kitab-al-Tasrif' catalyzed the progress of
advancement of surgery and medicine throughout Europe following the volume’s
translation to Latin by Gerard of Cremona towards the end of 12th century.
Later on, the manuscript was translated to several other European languages,
including French and English that further accelerated the development of
medical science. c. Kitab-al-Tasrif’, comprised of 30 separate books,
each focusing on a particular discipline or branch of medicine, and served as
a ready reference manual for both practicing physicians and medical students.
The book, for the first time in medical history, carried illustrative
descriptions on the use of nearly 200 surgical instruments. |
 |
On Surgery and Instruments CONTRIBUTION 2[21]On
Surgery and Instruments is an illustrated surgical guide written by
Albucasis, known in Arabic as ‘al-Zahrāwī’. Albucasis contributed many
technological innovations, notably which tools to use in specific surgeries. In
On Surgery and Instruments, he draws diagrams of each tool used in different
procedures to clarify how to carry out the steps of each treatment. The
full text consists of three books, intended for medical students looking to
gain more knowledge within the field of surgery regarding procedures and the
necessary tools. |
 |
As gynaecologist CONTRIBUTION 3[22]Al-Zahrawi had immense expertise in midwifery and gynaecology
also. He adroitly performed caesarean operation and wrote in detail about
them. Likewise, he successfully performed the operation of craniotomy for bringing out the dead foetus. He discussed the lithotomy and became the first to practice
it on women. He suggested removing the broken patella with the surgical
operation. According to the available information he was the
first Muslim surgeon who introduced new and better obstetrical forceps to operate the women. |
 |
As Orthopaedist and Dentist CONTRIBUTION
4[23] Al-Zahrawi was a brilliant orthopaedic surgeon of
his time. He was the first to carry out the treatment of
the fracture of the pelvis. He has written in detail about different kinds of
straightforward and complex fractures as well as dislocation of joints
including those of the shoulder joints. His guidance toimmobilize the shoulder joints is
very similar to the(A-0) splint of the modern age. He also developed a plaster
of his own formula, and the modern plaster known as plaster of Paris is an
superior form of the said plaster. Similarly,
as a dentist his main contribution was that he prepared sophisticated
instruments to cleanse dirty teeth as well as pull off rotting ones by
shaking and loosening them. He also developed the art of setting artificial
teeth made from the bones of animals. Of the several dental instruments
developed by him, turn-key for extraction, dental saw and file, and
instruments for extraction of roots were particularly very important. He is
also credited with having developed and applied the method of tying gold and
silver wires to bridge the gaps between the teeth. |
PORTFOLIO
NAME OF THE SCHOLAR: Mariam al-Ijliya al-Astrulabi
PROFILE
In the 10th century, a Muslim
woman named Maryam al-Ijliya, also known as Mariam al Astrulabi, took the craft
of building astrolabes to the next level. An astrolabe is an ancient device
used to measure time and the position of the sun and stars. Mariam is known for
her academic brilliance and an exceptionally focused mind that lay the
foundation for managing the transportation and communication using astrolabes.[24]
Al-Ijliya exemplifies that
the pursuit of knowledge is encouraged in Islam, and does not discourage women
from it. Al-Ijliya is considered a
significant scientist in this period of time. Many these days argue that Islam
‘oppresses’ women or restricts their learning, or, more broadly, that Islam
clashes with science. But Al-Ijliya and
the Muslims’ influence on astrolabes illustrate that knowledge (scientific and
general) are supported by Islam. Because she pursued study and helped innovate
new technology for her time, Mariam “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya remains a role
model until today.[25]
 |
NAME:
Mariam al-Ijliya al-Astrulabi YEAR: 900 - 975 (AD) NATIONALITY: SYRIAN PROFESSIONS: Women
Scientist |
CONTRIBUTIONS
 |
Astrolabes (CONTRIBUTION 1)[26]a.
An astrolabe is a historical instrument used to predict the position of the
sun, moon, planet, and stars. b. In the
Islamic Golden Age, astrolabes were widely used to determine the qibla, the
prayer direction towards Mecca, as well as to pinpoint prayer timings with
the movement of the sun. Muslim astronomers also added angular scales in the
astrolabes themselves, making it possible to navigate distances. c. The
creation and perfection of the astrolabe, as well as the spherical astrolabe
and the celestial globe, significantly advanced the early world. It promoted
scientific and astronomic exploration, and cultivated new ways of navigation
and timekeeping. In the Islamic world, it helped perfect the finding of the
qibla. d. Mariam
“Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya is significantly linked with the design of
astrolabes. Though Muhammad Al-Fazari is the first Muslim to have helped
build an astrolabe in the Islamic world in the eighth century, Al-Ijliya is
credited with designing and advancing this instrument. e. Her work was both creative and innovative. Her
father was an apprentice to a well-known astrolabe maker, and she studied
under him as his student. f. She created new designs, which were soon
recognized by Sayf Al Dawla, the city’s ruler. In addition, she also helped
further navigation and timekeeping techniques. g. The significant contributions of Mariam in
astronomy were officially recognised when the main-belt asteroid, 7060
Al-Ijliyye, was named after her following the discovery of Henry E. Holt
at Palomar Observatory in 1990.[27] |
REFERENCES:
"Alhazen."
Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 27 Jul. 2018. Web. 11/17/2021
<www.famousscientists.org/alhazen/>.
Abdelghani Tbakhi, Samir S.
Amir(2007), Ibn Al-Haytham: Father of Modern Optics, Ann Saudi Med. 2007
Nov-Dec; 27(6): 464–467. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2007.464
Abdul
Wahab, "Abbas ibn Firnas," in Science4Fun, November 15, 2021, https://science4fun.info/abbas-ibn-firnas/.
Abdul
Wahab, "Al-Jazari," in Science4Fun, November 16, 2021, https://science4fun.info/al-jazari/.
Al-Zahrawi:
A Prominent Muslim Medical Scientist and His Impact on West/ S Anjum,
Revelation and Science | Vol. 03, No. 02 (1435H/2013), pg 51-56.
Ezad
Azraai Jamsari, Mohd Aliff Mohd Nawi, Adibah Sulaiman, Roziah Sidik, Zanizam
Zaidi and Mohamad Zulfazdlee Abul Hassan Ashari(2013), Ibn Firnas and His
Contribution to the Aviation Technology of the World, Advances in Natural and
Applied Sciences, 7(1): 74-78, 2013.
https://muslimheritage.com/the-machines-of-al-jazari-and-taqi-al-din/
Ibrahim
Shaikh(2001), Abu al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi the Great Surgeon, https://muslimheritage.com/abu-al-qasim-al-zahrawi-the-great-surgeon/
Nageen
Khan(2014), Astrolabes and Early Islam: Mariam “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya, https://imaancentral.org/2014/12/astrolabes-and-early-islam-mariam-al-astrolabiya-al-ijliya/
Nageen
Khan(N.D), Astrolabes and Early Islam: Mariam “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya, https://www.whyislam.org/muslim-heritage/astrolabes-and-early-islam-mariam-al-astrolabiya-al-ijliya/
Nāsir
pūyān (Nasser Pouyan), Alhazen, the Founder of Physiological Optics and
Spectacles, International Journal of Optics and Applications, Vol. 4 No. 4,
2014, pp. 110-113. doi: 10.5923/j.optics.20140404.02.
Salim
Al-Hassani(2004), The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din,
Science
Journal(2013), Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi, https://worldsciencejournals.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/abu-al-qasim-al-zahrawi/
The
Famous people(N.D.), Al-Zahrawi Biography, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/al-zahrawi-27950.php
Ufuk
Necat Tasci(2021), Mariam al Astrulabi: A Muslim woman behind the 10th-century
astrolabes, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mariam-al-astrulabi-a-muslim-woman-behind-the-10th-century-astrolabes-43479.
William
Siepmann(N.D.). AL-JAZARI’S ELEPHANT CLOCK, https://muslimscienceblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/al-jazaris-elephant-clock/
[1] Abdul Wahab, "Al-Jazari,"
in Science4Fun, November 16, 2021, https://science4fun.info/al-jazari/.
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
[4] William Siepmann(N.D.). AL-JAZARI’S ELEPHANT CLOCK, https://muslimscienceblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/al-jazaris-elephant-clock/
[5] ibid
[6] Salim Al-Hassani(2004),
The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din, https://muslimheritage.com/the-machines-of-al-jazari-and-taqi-al-din/
[7] "Alhazen."
Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 27 Jul. 2018. Web. 11/17/2021
<www.famousscientists.org/alhazen/>.
[8] Abdelghani Tbakhi,
Samir S. Amir(2007), Ibn Al-Haytham: Father of Modern Optics, Ann Saudi Med.
2007 Nov-Dec; 27(6): 464–467. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2007.464
[9]"Alhazen."
Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 27 Jul. 2018. Web. 11/17/2021
<www.famousscientists.org/alhazen/>.
[10] Nāsir pūyān (Nasser Pouyan), Alhazen, the
Founder of Physiological Optics and Spectacles, International Journal
of Optics and Applications, Vol. 4 No. 4, 2014, pp. 110-113. doi:
10.5923/j.optics.20140404.02.
[11] "Alhazen."
Famous Scientists. famousscientists.org. 27 Jul. 2018. Web. 11/17/2021
<www.famousscientists.org/alhazen/>.
[12] ibid
[13] Abdelghani Tbakhi,
Samir S. Amir(2007), Ibn Al-Haytham: Father of Modern Optics, Ann Saudi Med.
2007 Nov-Dec; 27(6): 464–467. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2007.464
[14] Ezad
Azraai Jamsari, Mohd Aliff Mohd Nawi, Adibah Sulaiman, Roziah Sidik, Zanizam
Zaidi and Mohamad Zulfazdlee Abul Hassan Ashari(2013), Ibn Firnas and His
Contribution to the Aviation Technology of the World, Advances in Natural and
Applied Sciences, 7(1): 74-78, 2013
[15] Abdul Wahab, "Abbas ibn Firnas," in Science4Fun, November 15, 2021, https://science4fun.info/abbas-ibn-firnas/.
[16] ibid
[17] ibid
[18] Ibrahim
Shaikh(2001), Abu al-Qasim Al-Zahrawi the Great Surgeon, https://muslimheritage.com/abu-al-qasim-al-zahrawi-the-great-surgeon/
[19] The Famous
people(N.D.), Al-Zahrawi Biography, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/al-zahrawi-27950.php
[20] ibid
[21] Science Journal(2013), Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi, https://worldsciencejournals.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/abu-al-qasim-al-zahrawi/
[22] Al-Zahrawi: A
Prominent Muslim Medical Scientist and His Impact on West/ S Anjum, Revelation
and Science | Vol. 03, No. 02 (1435H/2013), pg 51-56
[23] ibid
[24] Ufuk Necat
Tasci(2021), Mariam al Astrulabi: A Muslim woman behind the 10th-century
astrolabes, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mariam-al-astrulabi-a-muslim-woman-behind-the-10th-century-astrolabes-43479
[25] Nageen Khan(2014),
Astrolabes and Early Islam: Mariam “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya,
https://imaancentral.org/2014/12/astrolabes-and-early-islam-mariam-al-astrolabiya-al-ijliya/
[26] Nageen
Khan(N.D), Astrolabes and Early Islam: Mariam “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya, https://www.whyislam.org/muslim-heritage/astrolabes-and-early-islam-mariam-al-astrolabiya-al-ijliya/
[27] Ufuk Necat Tasci(2021), Mariam al Astrulabi: A Muslim woman behind the
10th-century astrolabes, https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/mariam-al-astrulabi-a-muslim-woman-behind-the-10th-century-astrolabes-43479.
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