The Scientific Method and Islam?

Question

I'm no Muslim, but I do have a few questions to ask:

How many people here realise that it was Muslims who invented the scientific method when Europe was still in the Dark Ages?
Also, how many people here realise that it was the Muslims who translated the works of Aristotle and Plato (as well as the Hermetic traditions) into the modern lingo of the time, which gave rise to the Renaissance and then to Western science?
How many people also realise that it was the Muslims who invented modern mathematics (including the numerals we use everyday), and, they invented optics and many other things besides?
So, why is it that we in the West (Christians in particular) enjoy the fruits of their knowledge and cultural andvancements while villifying them so much? Tell me now, who is the savage and who is the civilised?

Answer 1

Very interesting question. However, let's be careful about oversimplification.
It is, I believe, a fair statement that Muslims invented the scientific method. They drew heavily of course on Aristotle's principle of induction, but they were the first to use experimentation and peer review. However, the first controlled experiment was performed by Francis Bacon. Roger Bacon (earlier) is sometimes credited with developing the scientific method, however, I think this is incorrect. He was merely the first to ennunciate details like hypothesis, experimentation, verification, etc. in the western world.
Your second statement though, is a gross oversimplification. Yes, Islamic philosophers did translate the works of Aristotle and Plato. The Irish also preserved them. The "Dark Ages" were not as Dark in Europe as people like to think. There were brilliant philosophers and prestigious universities long before the Renaissance. So while I agree that Islamic philosophers did transmit many important ideas into Western culture, let's not do their honor a discredit by saying that it was their work to give rise to the Renaissance. There were millions of other factors in play. Certainly, I agree that they made an important contribution.
That they invented modern mathematics is certainly a problematic statement. Yes, they did make important contributions, but at what point do you define modern mathematics? And their numbering system and math are actually debts to Indian mathematicians. But certainly, the West would have remained stagnant in mathematics if not for mathematic treatises penned by Islamic mathematicians, most notably Al-Khwarizmi.
They did not invent optics, but Alhacen (Islamic philosopher) rightly deserves the title of the "father of optics." He drew heavily on the Greek philosopher Euclid, but he disproved an important claim made by Euclid.
Why am I being so nit-picky? Because understanding history is important. We do owe much to the Islamic world but I suppose oversimplification really bothers me. And it can be dangerous, as in saying that all Muslims are terrorists, which certainly is not the case.
There is only one thing we ought to eschew, and that is evil or hatred, not anybody's religion. We are all sons and daughters of the same God, who makes the sun shine on us all. When we meet him, we will see that we are all the same. Then we will beat our swords into plowshares, and nation shall not rise up against nation anymore. We can all make that day come a little sooner by promoting understanding.
God bless!

Answer 2

Listen carefully what I say.
Point # 1. Whichever nation will work hard will enjoy the fruits. In the beginning when Muslims were in power and were awake, they contributed in all spheres of life including science. When muslims left their path and therefore became weak and so the West came up as hard working people so the benefits went to them. Now we are watching Chinese coming up so may be if West stop working, maybe Chinese take over the further advancement in the world. So worldly gains are with hard work and truthfulness. If muslims do better they will be exalted.
Point #2. Muslims may rise and fall depending upon how much they follow Islam. But the truth of Islam will stay put and truth of Islam and Christianity is same but the fact is that todays Christianity is not the same what was brought by Jesus. If today West accepts Islam, they will be glorified. So God has not restricted Islam to Arabs or Asia but whosoever follows the dictates of Islam will be glorified. In the world after only those who were on the right path ie Islam will be exalted.

Answer 3

The Arab world has a beautiful and ancient history. They, themselves, are their own worst PR nightmare. Instead of showing the world the history of learning, acceptance and science that used to define them, we are sent images of wackos, nutjobs, the oppressed. Women in hijabs standing around, small children being maimed, people being decapitated, warring between members of the same religion, constant screaming and whining about other cultures. The arab world of today is a shameful insult to what once was. The modern West remembers the past but has to deal with the present. I believe Christians in the west (particularly the US) choose to ignore the history they don't like because it means taking an honest look at their faith and not just blindly following it. The Arabs have given us much, some of it by islamic arabs and some by older incarnations. Be careful that you give credit where credit is due. It was not Islam but the people of the Arab world.

Answer 4

Your embellishment aside, it is well-known that the Muslims carried the tide of science during the time that Christianity was successful in completely stifling it. Do you think that we should forgive modern terrorists because some of their ancestors were more enlightened than they were? Your point about who is savage and who is civilized is ridiculous. Would you give all muslims a walk because 1,000 years ago they were far more civilized than they are today?

Answer 5

The Early Islamic scholars were not only Relgious scholars but also scholars in science because they viewed the world as a way to prove how great God is. The Quran has so much science written in it that it inspired the religious devotion to studying the universe and creation to see the awesome power of the Creator. Islam, through the in depth study of the sciences and mathematics in the light of the Quran ---- helped Europe come out of the DARK AGES when the “word” ruled over the land.

The Catholic Church got so UPSET they went on Their Inquisition death hunt and killed or expelled all the Jews and Muslims of Spain who had peacefully coexisted and built great institutions of learning together.

The lesson to learn is that Islam was able to unite all three faiths in Peace in Europe !

"History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated." --De Lacy O'Leary, ISLAM AT THE CROSSROADS, London, 1923, p. 8.

“The Christian World came to wage crusades against Muslims but eventually knelt before them to gain knowledge. They were spellbound to see that Muslims were owners of a culture that was far superior to their own. The Dark Ages of Europe were illuminated by nothing but the beacon of Muslim Civilization.” (F.J.C Hearushaw, The Science of History.)

“The Renaissance of Europe did not take place in the 15th century. Rather it began when Europe learned from the culture of the Arabs. The cradle of European awakening is not Italy. It is the Muslim Spain.” (Robert Briffault, The Making Of Mankind)

“The lies which we [Christians] have heaped round this man (Mohammed), are disgraceful to ourselves only.” (Thomas Carlyle, Heroes and Hero Worship)

“Muhammed was the most successful of all religious personalities.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 4th & 11th editions)

“The greatest crimes, the greatest “sin” of Mohammed in the eyes of Christian West is that he did not allow himself to be slaughtered, to be “crucified” by his enemies. He only defended himself, his family and his followers; and finally vanquished his enemies. Mohammed’s success is the Christians’ gall of disappointment… He did not believe in any vicarious sacrifices for the sins of others.” (Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.)


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Answer 6

thank u ,
do u know also that almost all medicine is based on what ibn elnafese's books which have been translated to many languages they even call him the " prince of medicine",
and another muslim like ibn el haythm who was excellent in physics and proved so many theories about light?!and... and...

muslims esp in the history of islam were excellet in every thing and had a very proud history .

thanks:))

Answer 7

Yes you are right!

Koran tells us about everything and about the history.

We are proud of our religion and we believe its the true one.

Thanks!
I love people that seek the truth and get knowledge.

Answer 8

Good question. eventhough they were scientist, they never believe in scientology. And religion has a really strong bond to them. They studied the Quran which already stated all the discoveries that were highlighted now.

Answer 9

The religion of the people that invented it had nothing to do with inventing it. They were scientists. Their religion doesn't matter. Their intelligence does.

Answer 10

yes all this is true and muslims also invented (or discovered) algebra