❖ The Intellectual Legacy of Muslims and Western Betrayal ❖
✍ Written by Muhammad Mahmood Mustafa
The condition of educational institutions in Muslim countries has become lamentably Westernized.
In textbooks, the origins of all scientific knowledge and inventions are attributed to Europe, while the monumental scientific contributions of Muslims are completely ignored.
This behavior reflects the academic dishonesty of those experts who formulate educational content.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله offered insightful commentary on scientific subjects, particularly in geology and astronomy, which should serve as an eye-opener for curriculum designers.
In Fatawa (Vol. 5, p. 150), he states:
"The scholars agree that the Earth is spherical in shape and is surrounded by water. The greater portion of the Earth consists of oceans, while land constitutes merely one-sixth."
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah also elaborated on the principles of time calculation by dividing the Earth's hemispheres into 180 degrees:
Shaykh al-Islam explained the concept of gravity in simple terms:
The theories of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah make it evident that Muslims were not only well-versed in the sciences of geology and astronomy but also that their scientific perspectives aligned with the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Europe has consistently portrayed scientific inventions as its own achievements while concealing the intellectual heritage of Muslims.
This behavior is a form of academic betrayal and intellectual plagiarism.
Muslim scholars have always presented knowledge in an accessible and understandable manner.
Avoiding complex terminology, they explained principles such as gravity through simple examples so that even a common person could grasp them.
The Western education system deliberately hides the scientific legacy of Muslims and marginalizes their contributions.
The scientific theories of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah and other Muslim scholars preceded many modern scientific discoveries.
Their research and interpretations hold not only scientific but also profound religious significance.
✍ Written by Muhammad Mahmood Mustafa
◈ Western Influence and Bias in Educational Curricula
The condition of educational institutions in Muslim countries has become lamentably Westernized.
In textbooks, the origins of all scientific knowledge and inventions are attributed to Europe, while the monumental scientific contributions of Muslims are completely ignored.
This behavior reflects the academic dishonesty of those experts who formulate educational content.
- The discovery of the Earth's sphericity is attributed to Ferdinand Magellan.
- The invention of latitude and longitude lines is credited to Mercator Gohaerde and Englishman William Baire.
- The law of gravity is attributed solely to Isaac Newton.
◈ Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s View and the Spherical Shape of the Earth
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله offered insightful commentary on scientific subjects, particularly in geology and astronomy, which should serve as an eye-opener for curriculum designers.
In Fatawa (Vol. 5, p. 150), he states:
"The scholars agree that the Earth is spherical in shape and is surrounded by water. The greater portion of the Earth consists of oceans, while land constitutes merely one-sixth."
- Earth’s Center of Gravity: Located at the center of the Earth, where everything settles due to gravitational pull.
- The Circular Nature of the Heavens:
Referencing the Qur'anic verse:
"وَكُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ"
“And each is swimming in its orbit.” (Yaseen: 40)
Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه explained that falak refers to circular motion like a spinning wheel.
◈ Division of Time and Space
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah also elaborated on the principles of time calculation by dividing the Earth's hemispheres into 180 degrees:
- East to West: Every 15 degrees equates to one average hour.
- Sunlight Spread: The sun spreads its light 90 degrees in front and behind, which results in day and night.
- Earth's Movement: At the poles, the Earth moves like a millstone, while at the equator it moves like a wheel.
◈ Explanation of Gravity
Shaykh al-Islam explained the concept of gravity in simple terms:
- A stone dropped into a tunnel dug through the center of the Earth would settle at the center due to gravitational pull.
- This same principle applies on the opposite side of the Earth—the stones would rest above the center of gravity, not beneath one another.
◈ Scientific Consciousness Among Muslims
The theories of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah make it evident that Muslims were not only well-versed in the sciences of geology and astronomy but also that their scientific perspectives aligned with the Qur'an and Sunnah.
- Determining Prayer and Fasting Times:
Islamic acts of worship—such as Salah, fasting, and Hajj—are grounded in deep astronomical knowledge. - Qiblah Orientation:
The direction of the Qiblah and construction of mosques was determined through advanced astronomical calculations.
◈ Western Intellectual Dishonesty
Europe has consistently portrayed scientific inventions as its own achievements while concealing the intellectual heritage of Muslims.
This behavior is a form of academic betrayal and intellectual plagiarism.
- By removing Muslim history and contributions from curricula, Europe has portrayed itself as the founder of sciences and arts.
- The conspiracies of Jews and Christians against Muslims are not limited to political or military domains but continue in psychological and cultural arenas as well.
◈ Simplicity and Clarity in Muslim Scholarship
Muslim scholars have always presented knowledge in an accessible and understandable manner.
Avoiding complex terminology, they explained principles such as gravity through simple examples so that even a common person could grasp them.
◈ Conclusion
The Western education system deliberately hides the scientific legacy of Muslims and marginalizes their contributions.
The scientific theories of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah and other Muslim scholars preceded many modern scientific discoveries.
Their research and interpretations hold not only scientific but also profound religious significance.
