The Golden Era of Muslim Science and the subsequent decline – Rvel Zahid

Muslim astronomers inherited much of their learning from the Ancient Greeks. This included the geocentric theory about the Universe. The geocentric model could be used to explain the apparent movement of the sun and stars and to make accurate predictions

In the world of Mathematics, Islamic mathematicians built further on the works of Greek, Indian, Persian and Chinese mathematicians. Islamic mathematicians were keen in comprehending different number systems and developed algebra and geometry which was important in architecture.



Al-Razi

He was a skilled surgeon who has the record of composing the largest medical encyclopedia. His relentless research helped in explaining the nature of several diseases. He made a breakthrough by finding a treatment for kidney stones and was renowned for his immense study of chicken pox and smallpox. Al-Razi was the first to use opium as anesthesia. Also, he developed many surgical tools.

Ibn Sina

The famous scientist recognized the contagious nature of tuberculosis. Ibn Sina penned down the ‘Al-Qanun’; an encyclopedia that identified an astounding number of 760 different drugs!


Al-Zahravi

Al-Zahravi is hailed as the father of surgery. He also came up with a medical encyclopedia and developed many surgical tools. Al-Zahravi was very skillful and didn’t hesitate on handling delicate operations.

Ibn Nafis

He discovered the complex pulmonary circulation system.

Al-Battani (858 - 929 AD)

He liked star gazing and often used to wonder about the unimaginably vast universe. He delved into the world of cosmos and became an astronomer, mathematician, and an astute scientist. Out of his many remarkable contributions, one was the accurate count of the solar year to be 365 days, 5 hours, 46 minutes and 24 seconds. He preserved his depth of knowledge and wrote several books on astronomy and trigonometry.

• Al-Buzjani

He contributed in mathematics by constructing equations to find solutions and towards the development of trigonometry. He put forward the secant and cosecant and observed the movement of the moon.

Al-Biruni (973 - 1048 AD)

A skilled physician who had varied interests. He is known for his study on astronomy and science. Al-Biruni determined latitudes and longitudes and investigated gravity.

Muslim astronomers inherited much of their learning from the Ancient Greeks. This included the geocentric theory about the Universe. The geocentric model could be used to explain the apparent movement of the sun and stars and to make accurate predictions

In the world of Mathematics, Islamic mathematicians built further on the works of Greek, Indian, Persian and Chinese mathematicians. Islamic mathematicians were keen in comprehending different number systems and developed algebra and geometry which was important in architecture.


There was an impressive 400 years’ golden age where Muslims came up with many significant inventions and discoveries. However, the process halted since the 14th century. A slow recovery is witnessed in the 20th century. There has been a multitude of reasons that account for the precarious state of Science in Islamic countries. Fundamentalist interpretations and damaging versions of Islam have created a distaste in youth to pursue science with a passion. Rational and logical thinking is the bedrock of Science. Unfortunately, blind faith and passive learning attitudes have taken a blow to Science. Massive educational reforms are required in Pakistan for the revival of real science in the country. A culture of reasoning, investigation, inquiry, and shunning rot learning style is paramount to spark interest in Science.