Contributions of Muslim Scientists to Astronomy

Tuesday, 03 August 2010

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Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Introduction

Astronomy was related to several religious rites of Muslims. Therefore, there was a need for studying astronomy to determine the timing of prayers according to the geographical location and season. Similarly, there was a need for specifying the direction of Kiblah (prayer direction) and observing the movement of the moon to determine the start of fasting and hajj.

Qur'an Interest in Astronomy

There are various Qur'anic verses, which are interested in astronomy and all the surrounding universe. These holy verses urge Muslims to consider the heavens and the earth. For example, Allah says "And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold they are plunged in darkness; And the Sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. And the Moon, We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date – stalk. It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (According to Law)". [Yasin 37 -40]. Besides, Allah says "It is He who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and count (of time). Nowise did God create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand." [Yunis 5-6].

The Holy Qur'an goes further to mention the names of certain planets and stars. For instance, Allah says "By the Sky and the Night – Visitant (Therein); And what will explain to thee what the Night – Visitant is? (It is) the Star of piercing brightness;" [Tariq 1-3]. Moreover, Allah says "That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star)". [Najm: 49]. Besides, the Holy Qur'an mentions scientific facts, which can not be understood or interpreted by anyone unless he/she is extensively knowledgeable of astronomy. Therefore, Muslim scientists have paid due attention to astronomy.

Interest of Muslims in Astronomy

At the beginning of their development of astronomy, Muslims checked the contributions of the previous civilizations. First, they translated the astronomical books written by Greeks, Caledonians, Saurians, Persians, and Indians. The first book translated by Muslims was Mafatih Al Nogoom (Keys to Stars) written by Hermes the Wise[1]. The book was translated from Greek to Arabic at the end of the Umayyad era. Another astronomical book, translated from Greek to Arabic was Al-Magasty by Ptolemy. This book was translated during the Abbasid era[2].  It was about astronomy and the movement of stars.

Banu Musa bin Shaker

During the Abbasid era, there were three geniuses known as banu Musa bin Shaker, who was an astronomer in the court of Caliph Al-Ma'moun. When he died, Caliph Al Ma'moun gave his sons due care and assigned the astronomer Yehia bin Abi Mansour to teach them. While banu Musa were growing up, Al Khawarizmi was rectifying the errors made by Ptolemy at Bait al-Hikma (the House of Wisdom) in Baghdad.

When the sons grew up, Mohamed bin Moussa bin Shaker excelled in astronomy. Al-Ma'moun built a house at the highest area in Baghdad near Al Shammasiah Gate in order to enable him to observe stars in a scientifically accurate way, and conduct amazing measurements, which were compared with other measurements in Gindisaboor and others conducted after three years on the Mount Qasioun near Damascus. Astronomers cooperatively set astronomical tables, known as "Al-Mugrrabah" or "Al-Ma'mouneyyah". These tables were accurate reviews of the old tables of Ptolemy[3].

Al-Ma'moun assigned a group of astronomers, including Mohamed bin Moussa bin Shaker, to observe celestial bodies, record the result of these observations and check the results reached by astronomer Ptolemy. They also studied the Sun and based their research on the roundness of the Earth so as to measure the terrestrial degree by observing the position of the sun and the devastation occurred. Those astronomers could have estimated the terrestrial grade at 56.66 miles, an estimation which is a half mile more than our estimation nowadays. Those astronomers did not accept anything unless it was scientifically proven. They also adopted a mere scientific approach to their research"[4].

The real achievement lies in the fact that the Islamic civilization not only maintained the sciences of the previous nation but also corrected them. The Islamic civilization, further, transferred science from theory to practice. It also rejected black art and superstitions adopted by Arabs during the pre-Islamic era. Such superstitions adopted by previous nations were totally rejected by the Islamic Sharia.

Construction of Observatories

What asserts the utmost interest of Muslims in the scientific astronomical experiments is the construction of a large number of huge observatories, which were equipped with varied devices and committed scientists. These observatories were spread all over the Islamic world. Besides the observatories established by Al-Ma'moun on Mount Qasioun[5] in Damascus, and in Shammasiah in Baghdad, other observatories were built in different places in the Islamic world. Banu Musa set up an observatory in Baghdad, in which they calculated the great width. As for Maragheh Observatory in Persia, which was built by Nassir Al-Din Al-Tousy, it was considered one of the most famous and biggest observatories. It was renowned for its accurate apparatuses and excellent staff. Distinguished by their accuracy, these observatories were used by European scientists in their astronomical research during the Renaissance and post Renaissance era. There were other observatories, including the Ibn Shater Observatory[6] in the Levant, the Dinouri Observatory in Asbahan, and the Olgh Bek  Observatory[7] in Samarkand, among others[8].

In these observatories, Muslim scientists made use of extremely accurate and sophisticated appliances and apparatuses through which they scrutinize astronomical phenomena. Most of these appliances used for measuring time were solely made by Muslim scientists[9]. Moreover, Muslims utilized appliances invented during the previous civilizations, including the astrolabe, which was originally Greek. Muslims developed it and manufactured various models which suited their astronomical discoveries. For instance, they invented the circle-like astrolabe and the boat-like astrolabe. Most of world museums have still kept models of these astrolabe which were employed to measure the distance between the planets and the outer space, and measure timing[10]

Manufacture of Ephemeris (Aziag)

Muslims excelled in manufacturing ephemeris, which were mathematical numerical tables known as aziag to measure the celestial bodies. They were utilized to identify the positions of the moving planets in their orbits, know months, days and past dates and realize the conditions of planets in terms of height, ascension, declination, tendency and movements. These ephemeris relied on extremely accurate mathematical and numerical laws. One of most famous ephemeris was that of Bin Yunis[11], made by Abdel Rahman bin Yunis[12].

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