Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya Al-Zarqali
by FSTC Published on: 18th July 2007
Al-Zarqali is an eminent Andalusian astronomer of the 11th century who was the foremost astronomer of his time. He excelled in different domains of theoretical and practical astronomy and left works that influenced greatly his…
Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya Al-Zarqali
by Gunalan Nadarajan Published on: 7th August 2007
This short paper introduces a longer essay by Prof. Gunalan Nadarajan, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University. The essay draws on the work…
An overview of Muslim Astronomers
by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 26th December 2001
Al-Battani discovered the notions of trigonometrical ratios used today. Al-Biruni claimed the earth rotated around its own axis. Jabir Ibn Aflah made the first portable celestial sphere to measure and explain the movements of celestial…
Lunar Formations and Astronomers from Muslim Civilisation
by Salim Al-Hassani - 1001 Book Chief Editor Published on: 30th May 2025
The article highlights how several lunar formations are named after prominent astronomers from the Muslim civilisation, acknowledging their significant contributions to the field of astronomy. First initiated in the 17th century by Jesuit scholar Riccioli…
Baghdad Clock in Aachen: Harun al Rashid’s Gift to Charlemagne
by Salim Al-Hassani Published on: 7th May 2021
The water clock that Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid (d. 809 CE), gifted to Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor (d. 814 CE) is investigated. Origins and transfer of the clock technology is reviewed. The water clock…
Transmission of Muslim Astronomy to Europe
by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 26th December 2001
It was in Muslim Toledo, Spain, where flocked in the 12th century, in particular, scholars from all Christian lands to translate Muslim science, and start the scientific awakening of Europe.
The Scholars of Toledo
by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 23rd June 2005
Toledo was the first major contact of Christian Europe with Islamic civilisation and it was the beginning of a transformation that would transform barbaric Europe into the leading civilisation in the world. In this short…
The Impact of Translations of Muslim Sciences on the West
by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 4th March 2003
Scholars from all Christian lands rushed to translate Muslim science, and thus start the scientific awakening of Europe. Many of course were Spaniards: John of Seville, Hugh of Santalla, and those working under the patronage…
Reflections on the Optics of Time
by Charles Savage Published on: 30th May 2011
Based on the outstanding achievement of Ibn al-Haytham's work in optics, which paved the way for the "Optics of Space," Dr. Charles M. Savage develops in this stimulating article a vibrant plea for the need…
Illustrious Names in the Heavens: Arabic and Islamic Names of the Moon Craters
by FSTC Published on: 28th September 2007
24 craters of the Moon bear names of Arabic and Islamic origin. In majority, these names are those of famous scholars of Islamic civilisation. We present below a list of those crater-names on the Moon,…
The Clocks of the Andalusian Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi
by Salim Al-Hassani Published on: 2nd January 2022
Little known book, Kitab al-Asrar, by the Andalusian engineer Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi. In this treatise, Al-Muradi describes how to construct a wide variety of ingenious mechanical devices. Using written instructions and diagrams, al-Muradi’s work describes…
What Islam Did For Us
by The Editorial Team Published on: 4th September 2007
This is a review of What Islam Did For Us: Understanding Islam's Contribution to Western Civilization, a book by Tim Wallace-Murphy that emphasizes Islam's immense contributions to the Western civilization in many groundbreaking domains such…
The Golden Age of Andalusi Science
by Julio Samso, Miquel Forcada Published on: 18th August 2025
The taifa period of al-Andalus (1031–1086), though politically fragmented after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba, became a vibrant era for science and culture. With multiple small kingdoms competing for prestige, rulers and private…
Marrakech
by FSTC Published on: 26th August 2004
Marrakech became, due to the ambitions and sponsorship of its rulers, the centre of attraction for numerous scholars including Ibn Rushd who served as the Chief Physician and where he pursued many works in science.…
The Scholars of Seville – Mathematics and Astronomy
by Salah Zaimeche Published on: 15th August 2005
In Seville, scholars led the science of astronomy, criticising earlier works on the basis of new observations and poetry was used to help people memorise the principles of algebra.
The History of Scientific Interaction
by Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Published on: 30th January 2008
The evolution of world politics since the last decade of 20th century and several substantial events witnessed during this period have modified communities' outlooks towards each other. They sometimes modified our whole perception of global…
Star-finders Astrolabes
by Cem Nizamoglu Published on: 7th September 2017
Over a thousand-year period in Muslim Civilisation, epoch-making discoveries and contributions, such as the first record of a star system outside our own galaxy were made. Also astronomical instruments including celestial globes, armillary spheres, sextants…
Latinized Names of Muslim Scholars
by FSTC Published on: 28th August 2007
This article includes the Latinized names of Muslim scholars.
History, Culture and Science in Morocco: 11th-14th Centuries
by Salah Zaimeche, Salim Al-Hassani, Lamaan Ball Published on: 26th January 2010
The history of the Islamic west offers glorious pages of contribution to world history in various fields. This article presents a survey on some salient aspects of the role played by Morocco in the civilisation…
Arabic Eclipse Records Bring Light to Scientific Analysis of the Earth’s Rotation
by FSTC Published on: 18th February 2008
A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from large parts of our globe. On this occasion, we attract the attention of our…