Desuasido, Darla Marie A.

HIST 15 February 2016

BS ARCH 4 MWF 8:30-9:30AM

CONTRIBUTION OF MUSLIMS TO WORLD CIVILIZATION

1. Algebra and Geometry - Muhammad bin Moosaa Al-Khawaarizmi is considered to be one of the founders of
Algebra.
2. Geography - As far as geography was concerned, Muslim scientists established that the world was round in the
9th century CE, and the first map of the globe was made during the Caliphate of Ma’moon.
3. Paper Making - This was one of the earliest skills attained by the Muslims. As early as the 8 th century CE, high
quality paper was being manufactured in Samarqand.
4. Camera Obscura - In the field of optics, Camera Obscura was invented by Ibn Haytham in 1038 CE.
5. Polo - Polo is a sport in which teams on horseback use mallets (wooden sticks) to strike a ball through a goal. Polo
is often called the “king of sports.” Muslims adapted and refined the game of polo. Today, the game is enjoyed all
over the world.
6. Geometric and Floral Design -Muslims said that only God can creat somethign that is alive. So, artists turned to
shapes and patterns found in nature and geometry to create marvelous designs and decorations.
7. Calligraphy - Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. When Muslims began to copy the Qur'an, they felt that
only calligraphers would only be worthy to record the words of God.
8. Chess -The game of chess was probably invented in India. Chess is a battle of wits in which players move pieces
on a board according to complex rules.
9. Zoology - Zoology is the scientific study of animals. In the 800s, a scholar named al- Jahiz presented theories about
the evolution of animals.
10. Astronomy - Astronomy is the study of objects in the universe. Astronomers also figured out exact times for prayer
and the length of the month of Ramadan.
11. Irrigation and Underground Wells - Much of the land under Muslim rule was hot and dry. They built dams and
aqueducts to provide water for households, mills, and fields.
12. Advances in Industry - Muslims were leading in weaving wool, producing silk, pottery, jewelry, leather and
perfume industry.
13. Trigonometry - The Arabs developed these functions in trigonometry and Ibn Moosaa's work Hisaab-Al Jab-Wal
Muqaabala (The Calculation of Integration and Equation)
14. Medicine - Protecting and cleansing the body has always been a priority for Muslims. Perhaps then it is no
surprised that Muslim scientists combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil
to create a recipe for soap, which is still used today.
15. The City of Baghdad - One of the most glorious Muslim cities was the Abbasid capital of Baghdad.
16. The Mosque - The Musllims created distinctive forms of architecture. A particularly important type of building
was the mosque, the Muslim house of worship.
17. Scholarship and Learning - In the beginning of the 8th century, Arabic became the language of scholarship and
science throughout Muslim lands. Muslim rulers built schools, colleges, libraries, and other centers of learning.
18. Bookmaking and Literature - Bookmaking encouraged the growth of Muslim literature. In Baghdad, more than
100 bookshops lined Papersellers' Street. Arabs had a rich heritage of storytelling and poetry. One famous
collection of stories was called ATthousand and One Nights. Muslim literature was enriched by Sufism, or Islamic
mysticism.
19. Textiles - Muslims in medieval times brought great artistry to the making of textiles.
20. Music in Muslim Spain - Baghdad, Damascus, and Cordoba, Spain, has many music styles, but they reflect in their
own unique way. Ziryyab, a talented musician and singer from Baghdad was a key figure in this cultural innovation.