❖ A Millennium of Scientific Achievements by Muslims ❖
✍ Written by Dr. Uhaid Hassan
Some liberal intellectuals—such as Hassan Nisar, Javed Chaudhry, and Nadeem F. Paracha—accuse Muslims of contributing to science only during the early centuries of Islam.
However, the reality is that Muslims have consistently contributed to the field of science for over a thousand years, and many Muslim scientists continue to play a vital role in modern research.
This article sheds light on the enduring scientific contributions of Muslims.
A concise timeline of notable Muslim contributions to science:
① Al-Khujandi (d. 1000):
Authored Risala fi al-Mil wa ‘Ard al-Balad on axial tilt determination.
② Al-Zahrawi (d. 1004):
Regarded as the world’s first surgeon; invented over 200 surgical instruments.
③ Ali ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman Yunus (d. 1004):
Discovered the ecliptic circle and the movement of the Earth's axis.
④ Ibn Sina (d. 1036):
Authored the medical encyclopedia Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, taught in Europe until the 16th century.
⑤ Ibn al-Haytham (d. 1038):
Pioneered the particle theory of light and retinal structure research.
⑥ Al-Biruni (d. 1049):
Calculated Earth's circumference as 24,779 miles—very close to modern measurements.
⑦ Omar Khayyam (d. 1131):
Developed new principles in algebra and accurately calculated the solar year.
⑧ Al-Idrisi (d. 1164):
Created the first globe and a world map.
⑨ Ibn Rushd (d. 1198):
Proposed a theory of immunity against smallpox.
⑩ Sharaf al-Din al-Tusi (d. 1213):
Invented the Tuli Astrolabe (elongated astrolabe).
⑪ Ibn al-Nafis (d. 1288):
Introduced the concept of pulmonary circulation.
⑫ Kamal al-Din al-Farisi (d. 1320):
Accurately explained the formation of the rainbow.
⑬ Piri Reis (d. 1554):
Created advanced maps that included the Americas and Antarctica.
⑭ Taqi al-Din Muhammad (d. 1585):
Invented the world’s first steam engine.
⑮ Tipu Sultan (martyred 1799):
Developed modern military rockets.
⑯ Lagari Hasan Çelebi:
Successfully tested human flight using rocket propulsion.
⑰ Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan:
Pioneer of the first Islamic nuclear state—Pakistan.
⑱ Mahbub ul Haq:
Conceptualized the Human Development Index (HDI).
⑲ Fazlur Rahman Khan:
Invented modern structural designs for skyscrapers.
⑳ Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman:
Published over 850 research papers in natural product chemistry.
㉑ Ahmed Zewail:
Awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in femtochemistry.
㉒ Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor:
First scientist to conduct biomedical research in space.
㉓ Sameera Moussa:
Made significant contributions to nuclear research and proposed affordable atomic technology.
㉔ Munir H. Nayfeh:
Played a key role in the development of nanotechnology.
㉕ Omar M. Yaghi:
Founded the new field of “Reticular Chemistry.”
✔ Aziz Sancar (2015):
Research on DNA repair.
✔ Muhammad Yunus (2006):
Founder of microfinance.
✔ Ahmed Zewail (1999):
Research in femtochemistry.
Muslims have rendered outstanding services in diverse fields of science.
Their discoveries and inventions not only illuminated the past but continue to provide valuable guidance in modern scientific disciplines.
✍ Written by Dr. Uhaid Hassan
◈ Accusations Against Muslim Scientific Legacy
Some liberal intellectuals—such as Hassan Nisar, Javed Chaudhry, and Nadeem F. Paracha—accuse Muslims of contributing to science only during the early centuries of Islam.
However, the reality is that Muslims have consistently contributed to the field of science for over a thousand years, and many Muslim scientists continue to play a vital role in modern research.
This article sheds light on the enduring scientific contributions of Muslims.
◈ Discoveries of Muslim Scientists (1000 CE to Present)
A concise timeline of notable Muslim contributions to science:
❀ 1000 CE to 1200 CE
① Al-Khujandi (d. 1000):
Authored Risala fi al-Mil wa ‘Ard al-Balad on axial tilt determination.
② Al-Zahrawi (d. 1004):
Regarded as the world’s first surgeon; invented over 200 surgical instruments.
③ Ali ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman Yunus (d. 1004):
Discovered the ecliptic circle and the movement of the Earth's axis.
④ Ibn Sina (d. 1036):
Authored the medical encyclopedia Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, taught in Europe until the 16th century.
⑤ Ibn al-Haytham (d. 1038):
Pioneered the particle theory of light and retinal structure research.
⑥ Al-Biruni (d. 1049):
Calculated Earth's circumference as 24,779 miles—very close to modern measurements.
⑦ Omar Khayyam (d. 1131):
Developed new principles in algebra and accurately calculated the solar year.
⑧ Al-Idrisi (d. 1164):
Created the first globe and a world map.
❀ 1200 CE to 1600 CE
⑨ Ibn Rushd (d. 1198):
Proposed a theory of immunity against smallpox.
⑩ Sharaf al-Din al-Tusi (d. 1213):
Invented the Tuli Astrolabe (elongated astrolabe).
⑪ Ibn al-Nafis (d. 1288):
Introduced the concept of pulmonary circulation.
⑫ Kamal al-Din al-Farisi (d. 1320):
Accurately explained the formation of the rainbow.
⑬ Piri Reis (d. 1554):
Created advanced maps that included the Americas and Antarctica.
⑭ Taqi al-Din Muhammad (d. 1585):
Invented the world’s first steam engine.
❀ 1600 CE to 1900 CE
⑮ Tipu Sultan (martyred 1799):
Developed modern military rockets.
⑯ Lagari Hasan Çelebi:
Successfully tested human flight using rocket propulsion.
❀ 1900 CE to Present
⑰ Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan:
Pioneer of the first Islamic nuclear state—Pakistan.
⑱ Mahbub ul Haq:
Conceptualized the Human Development Index (HDI).
⑲ Fazlur Rahman Khan:
Invented modern structural designs for skyscrapers.
⑳ Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman:
Published over 850 research papers in natural product chemistry.
㉑ Ahmed Zewail:
Awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in femtochemistry.
㉒ Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor:
First scientist to conduct biomedical research in space.
㉓ Sameera Moussa:
Made significant contributions to nuclear research and proposed affordable atomic technology.
㉔ Munir H. Nayfeh:
Played a key role in the development of nanotechnology.
㉕ Omar M. Yaghi:
Founded the new field of “Reticular Chemistry.”
◈ Nobel Laureate Muslim Scientists
✔ Aziz Sancar (2015):
Research on DNA repair.
✔ Muhammad Yunus (2006):
Founder of microfinance.
✔ Ahmed Zewail (1999):
Research in femtochemistry.
◈ Conclusion
Muslims have rendered outstanding services in diverse fields of science.
Their discoveries and inventions not only illuminated the past but continue to provide valuable guidance in modern scientific disciplines.
