The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Science (Part 5)
Features of Islamic Civilization
Factors and Reasons that Strengthened the Interest in Science Among Muslims
In addition to the advantages and characteristics of Islamic civilization that played a significant role in creating a learning environment among Muslims, other means and tools also encouraged Muslims to pursue various sciences, acquire knowledge, and lead different nations in this field. These factors can be summarized as follows:
1. Encouragement and Persuasion by Islamic Caliphs: The Islamic caliphs actively supported the scientific movement. As mentioned earlier, they sent teams to search for and examine writings housed in churches. For instance, Mamun, the Abbasid caliph, encouraged Muslims to travel to India and Constantinople to procure valuable books. Consequently, the translation movement flourished, and its foundations strengthened. Important Persian, Indian, and African texts were translated into Arabic, with notable translators such as “Hunain bin Ishaq” and “Yahqub bin Ishaq Kendy” leading this effort.
2. Role of Mosques and Educational Institutions: Mosques played a crucial role in elevating the scientific level among Muslims. Eventually, schools were established alongside mosques, with institutions such as “Al-Azhar,” “Zitouna,” and “Qarawiyyin” becoming main centers of thought and scientific learning.
3. Attention to Religious and Secular Literature: Muslims showed a high level of interest in both religious and worldly texts, resulting in the establishment of public and private libraries. During the Fatimid era, for example, the Cairo library housed approximately 500,000 volumes, while the library in Cordoba reached around 400,000 volumes. The volume of books became so extensive that when the Tatars threw Islamic works into the Tigris River, the water turned black. This event marked a profoundly distressing moment for Muslims.
4. Support for Scholars and Students: To support scholars and students of science, Muslims dedicated their resources and made gifts and donations specifically for this community.
5. Religious and Spiritual Motivation: Undoubtedly, the most significant factor that fostered and strengthened the scientific movement and the pursuit of scientific education among Muslims was their religious and spiritual motivation. The verses of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic hadiths emphasized and encouraged Muslims to make scientific discoveries and inventions. For instance, Allah Almighty has said: «سنریهم آیاتنا فی الآفاق وفی أنفسهم حتی یتبین لهم أنه الحق أو لم یکف بربک أنه علی کل شیئ شهید» “In the near future, we will show them Our signs around the world and in their souls, so that it becomes clear to them that He is definitely the Truth. Isn’t it sufficient to prove the fact that Allah is a witness to all beings in the world?”
Additionally, the noble Prophet of Islam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, consistently encouraged the pursuit of knowledge, describing it as a pathway to paradise. He stated that whoever dies in pursuit of knowledge is considered a martyr and emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge, even if it requires traveling to distant lands like China.
This broad perspective on the acquisition of knowledge and its esteemed status was the principal factor that motivated and inspired Muslims to seek knowledge and foster the scientific movement.
