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The practical side in Islamic civilization
Monday, 02 August 2010
Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany
Muslim scholars and practical side
The "practical side" is a new method that emerged also in the era of Muslims, especially when the Islamic civilization is compared to the Greek and Hellenistic civilizations.
Ancient scientists before Islam developed various theories, most of which were correct and genius. However, most of these theories remained confined to papers and folders despite their authenticity and accuracy. Practical application had no existence in people's life, and this is what we mean by the practical side in science, where theories are applied in away that serves and benefits humanity even in the means of entertainment.
When Muslims came and worked to reconstruct and reform the planet, Muslim scholars began to turn every correct theory into a useful work that achieves good for people.
One of the relevant examples is what was done by the sons of Musa ibn Shakir[1], as they invented irrigation machines and machines for lifting water to mountains. They also invented watches, relying on old theories as well as their new theories. Thus, they benefited their society and the humanity instead of devoting oneself to thinking only!
So did Al-Zahrawi[2],
who invented an enormous number of surgical instruments. He, for example, knew
theoretically that if a drug is mixed directly with blood it will have a quick
result. This led him to invent the syringe so that medicine would reach the blood
faster, and so on.[3]
So did Ibn Al-Bitar[4], as he introduced more than eighty useful drugs into the field of medicine[5], as well as Jabir ibn Hayyan, who used some of the chemical equations to invent a waterproof coat, and fireproof paper to be used in documenting the very important information.[6]
We may realize the value of the researches made by Muslim scientists when we see the enormous philosophical theories proposed by many Greek and ancient Hellenistic scientists, who did not apply these theories, thus failing to make use of them or benefiting the humanity as well.
[1] Musa ibn Shakir: Father of the three sons known as sons of Musa. In his young age, he was a bandit, but he repented and served Al-Ma'mun. He learnt astrology and astronomy. He died (in 200 AH/ 815 AD or so) while his sons were still young. They worked in Bayt Al-Hikmah and were clever. See: Ibn Al-Anbari: Mukhtasar Al-Duwal, p264, and Al-Zirikli: Al-A'lam 7/323.
[2] Al-Zahrawi: He is Abu Al-Qasim Khalaf ibn Abbas Al-Zahrawi Al-Andalusi (died in 427 AH/1036 AD). He was a physician and scientist. He was the first one to write on surgery and the first to tie the artery to stop bleeding. He was born in Al-Zahra (near Cordoba). See: Ibn Bashkwal: Al-Silah 1/264, and Al-Zirikli: Al-A'lam 2/310.
[3] Jalal Mazhar: Hadarat Al-Islam wa Atharuha fi Al-Taraqi Al-A'lami (Islamic civilization and its impact on global development), p 331-332.
[4] Ibn Al-Bitar: He is Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Ahmad Al-Maliqi (died in 646 AH/1248 AD), the master of botanists and herbalists. He is the author of the book entitled: "Al-Adwiyah Al-Mufradah". He died in Damascus. See: Al-Kutubi, Fawat Al-Wafiyat 2/159, 160.
[5] Al-Muqri: Nafh Al-Tib, 2/692.
[6] Gustave Le Bon: Hadarat Al-Arab (Arab Civilization), p 475, 476.
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