Creator of the Heavens and the Earth
SCRUTINIZING THE QUR'AN
APPENDIX
A List of Scholars in Medieval Muslim Civilization (700-1700)
(continued)
Abu Raihan al-Biruni (973-1051). Historian. Scientist. Author of over 180 works, including: India, the best account of the Hindu religion and of the sciences and customs of medieval India; Chronology of Ancient Nations, dealing with the calendar and festivities of various nations; Canon of al-Mas`udi, an astronomy book; Elements of Astrology, which remained a standard text for centuries; other outstanding works on physics, mathematical geography, mineralogy, and nearly every branch of mathematics and astronomy. His works were never translated into Latin.
Abu’l Qasim Maslamah al-Majriti (d. c.1007). Scientist. Andalusian. Author of works on astronomy, mathematics and alchemy. Wrote commentaries on the tables of al-Khwarazmi.
Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali (1058-1111). Latin: Algazel. Religious scholar. Sufi. Philosopher. Author of works on religion, logic, philosophy. His The Revivification of the religious Sciences is the most outstanding Muslim work on spiritual ethics.
Abu’l-Fath `Umar ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyami (1038/1048-1123/1132). Omar Khayyam. Persian poet. Mathematician. Author of Algebra, best medieval text on this subject.
Abu’l-Walid Muhammad ibn Rushd (1126-1198). Latin: Averroes. Philosopher. Judge. Physician. Greatest medieval commentator on Aristotle. Author of numerous commentaries on the works of Aristotle in addition to independent works on astronomy, physics and medicine.
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (1201-1274). Mathematician. Astronomer. Philosopher. Theologian. Shiite. To salvage as much from massive destruction as possible, he served as astronomer and astrologer for Hulagu, the Mongol conqueror of Persia, gained the ruler’s confidence, saved many schools and libraries, and induced Hulagu to establish an observatory and scientific institution. Prolific writer in both Arabic and Persian. Author of commentaries on the whole cycle of Greek mathematical texts from Euclid to Ptolemy. Author of independent works in both mathematics and astronomy; criticized Ptolemy and proposed a new planetary model. Author of works on Shiite theology.
Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311). Student of Nasir al-Din. Author of numerous works on optics, geometry, astronomy, geography, philosophy and the religious sciences.
`Abd al-Rahman Abu Zaid ibn Khaldun (1332-1406). Historian. Philosopher of history. His Kitab al-`Ibar begins with the famous Muqaddimah (Introduction), analyzing the causes for the rise and fall of civilizations and cultures, summarizing the sciences and discussing the reasons for their cultivation in some periods and lack of interest in them in others. Author of works on mathematics, theology and metaphysics. Royal secretary to various rulers.
Baha’ al-Din al-`Amili (1546-1621). Religious scholar. Sufi. Mathematician. Architect. Alchemist. Shiite. Author of works on mathematics and astronomy.
List of Scholars continued Selected Bibliography
List of English Words Derived from Arabic