10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Characteristics of Islamic Civilization

Do you know, by relating our discussion to Lesson 3 on "Characteristics of Islam", you actually can

assume the characteristics of Islamic civilization. Among the characteristics are universal, tolerance,

comprehensive, unity in diversity, continuity and balance between spiritual and material.

Universality

Islamic civilization is not confined to a certain nation or a certain place. It is a universal civilization

built by Muslims for all people in the world, regardless their race, language, culture, or location.

Islamic civilization owns its greatness to the contributions of Persian, European, African, and Asian

Muslims the like. Manifestations of Islamic civilization can be found in all parts of the world, not only

in Arab countries, but from Europe to the east.

Tolerance

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: "Whoever commits injustice to non-Muslims; he will become

my enemy in the hereafter." Islam is very tolerant towards other religions and accommodates

different cultures. In the history of Islamic civilization in Cordova of Spain, Christian and Jewish

communities remained free to practice their religious rituals, celebrate their festivals, and practice

their own law.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

In contrast, as soon as Spain was re-taken by the Spanish Christians from the North, Spanish

Muslims and Jews were forced to choose either to accept Christianity or leave their country! Many

Jews left Spain and found refuge in the Maghreb (Tunisia, Morocco) under Muslim rule. Whenever

Jews in Europe and Russsia were persecuted, they would flee to Muslim countries where they were

safe and free to practice their religion and do trade. In Muslim countries, India Buddhist temples

remained open, and none of the Indian populace was forced to become Muslim as long as they

accepted Muslim rule.

Comprehensiveness

Islamic civilization addresses all aspects of human life, individually and socially. Islamic civilization

is rich in material (trade, standard of living, state and welfare institutions, education, science),

cultural (literature, arts, architecture) as well as spiritual achievements (Sufism, law, ethics).

While Western civilization accommodated Greek philosophy and science to Christian thought, and

Roman law to Christian law, Islamic civilization is so broadly defined that it can accommodate the

achievements of other civilizations and cultures without sacrificing own fundamental and without its

basic features.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Unity in Diversity

Islamic civilization is based on one religion, namely Islam, but incorporates many different local

traditions and cultures, language communities, and races as long as those elements do not

contradict the Islamic teachings. The Muslim ummah is a world community, not a national

community. A Muslim identity is not a national identity but a spiritual, ideological and intellectual

identity.

Continuity

Islamic civilization is based upon Allah's final message to mankind (the message of completeness

of Islam) and its morals, values, and laws are unchangeable and valid until the end of this world.

Islamic civilization had its ups and downs but it was not due to Islamic teachings.

It was due to the ignorance of its teachings by Muslims. Muslims do not practice its teachings in

totality. Islamic civilization experienced its excellence at the time of the Prophet SAW, the four

caliphs, the four centuries after that, during the Umayyad caliphate, Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayubid and

'Uthmani caliphates (Damascus, Cordova, Baghdad, Cairo, and Istanbul) but today, Islamic

civilization lacks behind in material and cultural contributions.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Muslims today are lagging behind in science, in economic growth, in political power and just

governments, effective administration and innovative education. Yet unlike other civilizations,

Islamic civilization can become weak but it will not end and die out, like other civilizations had

experienced before us.

It is because the sources of Islam are never lost (the Qur'an and Sunnah) and everlasting.

Islamic civilization can be revived again in any part of the world if the Muslims practise the Islamic

teachings in its totality, unite, work together to build a just society based on Islam. Thus, the revival

of Islamic civilization is in the hand of the Muslims.

Balance between Spirituality and Materialism

Western civilization is the most dominant civilization today. Western principles of law, finance,

education, science, culture, and also Western values (justice, individualism, freedom) rule most

parts of the world. Yet, even though Western civilization has contributed a lot to human welfare in

material terms, the spiritual aspects are totally lacking because religion has no role in it. Thus, no

wonder many Westerners today have turned to Eastern religions (Islam, Buddhism, etc) for spiritual

and moral guidance and satisfaction.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Islamic civilization on the other hand makes religion as its foundation. The principle of godliness

(existence of Allah SWT) in the realm of civilization is always present.

Islamic civilization is a balanced civilization that encompasses law, ethics, and spirituality and can

accommodate Western scientific know-how, its intellectual culture (to a certain extent), and make it

complete by adding the spiritual element which is lacking today (the criteria of absolute truth). There

is no true morality without faith, and Islam addresses both needs of man, his material as well as his

spiritual needs.

Sources of Islamic Civilization

The Islamic civilization was not based on Arabic civilization ao any other civilizataion that existed

before the advent of Islam as claimed by some western orientalists like Toynbee who has accused that

Islamic civilization was based on previous civilization such as Mesopotamia and Greek.

The accusation is totally wrong as the Islamic civilization has its own sources as follow:

Devine revelation

This refers to al-Quran and al-Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Islamic civilization a very

distinguished civilization as it is guided by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe who is

All-Knowing about the needs of His creations.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Thinking

Thinking is a second source in building Islamic civilization which is also a directive and

encouragement from Al-Quran and al-Sunnah. There are many Quranic verses that command

Muslims to think. Through thinking, many things can be discovered for the formulation of civilization

Discovery and new invention

This source connected to the thinking in the sense of doing research, observation, experiment,

assessment, statistics, analysis, review and summation. Those activities that were based on

Islamic teachings had led to many new discoveries and inventions in the past civilization.

Modification and reformation

Islamic civilization also was enriched by external elements which were adopted from other

civilizations. The adoption of external elements is allowed in Islam as long as those elements do not

contradict with 'aqeedah, shari'ah and akhlaq of Islam. During the period of Abbasiyyah Empire, a

large campaign was held to translate books from other civilization such Persian and Greece into

Arabic language.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Factors of Its Success

Islamic civilization had achieved its greatness in the past that benefited the world until today especially

in the field of science. The sources of its greatness and success can be summarized as below:

AL-Quran and al-Sunnah as Its Basis

Islamic civilization developed and progressed based on the divine revelation from Allah SWT who

is All-Knowing about His creatures. The revelations were sent to mankind for their betterment and

all the revelations suit the innate nature (fitrah) and the needs of the mankind. The implementation

of Islamic civilization always adheres to the principles of Islamic teachings.

The revelations that give high priority and great emphasis on seeking knowledge and disseminate

the knowledge had driven the committed Muslims scholars in the past to explore the secret of the

universe and dug the knowledge that was abundant from other civilizations. Then, the knowledge

was disseminated to the all mankind throughout the world.

Integration of knowledge in Islam

A society that is organized according to Islamic principles and in co-ordinance with Islamic values

is a complete society. There is no science and know level of human practice and knowledge that

Islam cannot accommodate. Muslim society can pursue progress in technology, economics...

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

...and finance, scientific research, etc., as long as Islamic laws and values are not violated.

There exists no separation between science and religion. Acquired knowledge must not contradict

the revelation. Research is highly encouraged except on things that have been made certain and

undisputable by the revealed knowledge.

Unfortunately, there are Muslims today who have been influenced by the Western philosophy of

civilization. They follow the secular model that separates science and religion. They have been

imbedded by the idea that science is objective knowledge and nothing to do with religion. Religion

is personal matters which deal with rituals only.

Due to that, no wonder we have Muslims professionals who expert in their fields but they are

lacking of religious knowledge and understanding. This is different with our past Muslim scholars

who were trained in all kinds of knowledge, revealed knowledge and acquired knowledge.

They in the past, would first learn the Qur'an and Sunnah on the primary school level, and then

proceed to tafsir, sirah, fiqh and shari'ah on secondary school level, before gaining knowledge in

other empirical sciences such as astronomy, medicine, geography, engineering, and mechanic, or

theoretical sciences such as mathematics, physics, and philosophy.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Arabic language

The Arabic language is the language of the Qur'an. Every Muslim is expected to learn Arabic in

order to understand the Qur'an and able to recite the recitations in prayers correctly and with full

understanding. In Muslim history, Arabic language was the main medium of administration, law,

science, and literature. Muslim scholars - whether in Spain, Persia or in India - published their and

shared their works and thoughts in Arabic. Jews and Christians in Spain and other European

countries learned Arabic in order to benefit from the high standards of education in the Muslim

world, just as Muslims nowadays learn English in order to benefit from European or American

know-how in science, technology, and commerce.

Political stability

During the centuries of great scientific, administrative, and cultural achievements, the Muslim world

was politically united and stable. They controlled the main sea ports and trade routes from Europe

to China (8th century to 12th century). Strong governments were able to collect enough taxes to

serve their communities (no more poverty, free education, baths, and hospitals) and make enough

economic surpluses through trade.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

The Muslim government invested large sums money to build libraries, set up research facilities, and

support scholars with generous allowances. As soon as the Muslim world came into economic and

political difficulties (disintegration, local wars, rivalry), the progress in science and education in

general halted and finally came to a complete standstill in the 16th century.

Educational institutions

Based on the Islamic hierarchy of knowledge, Muslims started their education at the kuttab where

they learned the Qur'an (reading, memorization, and writing) and the sunnah. On the

second, the madrasah level, Muslim children learned Islamic sciences such as tafsir, hadith, sirah,

fiqh, and shari'ah. After that, Muslim scholars had the opportunity to master the "foreign sciences"

such as philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, physics, geography, engineering,

alchemy, etc.

Europe owes its modern education system to Islamic civilization. The concept of "university" is

derived from the Islamic jami'ah and kulliyah, meaning a place where all branches of knowledge are

gathered and students gain general education. The most popular and advanced educational

institution was the Nizamiyah Madrasah in Baghdad (named after the minister-in-chief,

Nizam al-Mulk) and al-Azhar in Cairo (originally established by the Fatimids).

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

The Bayt al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) was built in Baghdad during the time of the 'Abbasid

Caliph al-Ma'mun (198AH/813CE). It was a library which contained thousands of scrolls on the

various sciences gathered from all parts of the world, and translated into Arabic. The

Bayt al-hikmah housed a number of translators and professional scholars but was also opened to

everyone who willed to study, with free paper (sheets of paper rolled up in scrolls, paper from

China, Muslims soon dominated the production of paper, paper became cheaper and more

affordable, ready for everyone to use) and ink provided.

In Europe at that time (9th century), paper was still rare and most works were written on animal skin,

and the monasteries (men of the church were the only people who had to know how to read and

write) contained each but a few books on religion chained to the shelves, so precious were they.

Only very few people could afford books or had access to books. The Bayt al-hikmah also served

as an observatory for astronomers equipped with the latest technical devices to study the planets

and the stars and make most accurate observations of the natural phenomena.

International Business and Trade

International business has a great impact on the development of civilization. By having foreign

trade, goods are not the only thing of the business but knowledge is also an important thing...

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

...brought by Muslim or non-Muslim traders. When Islamic civilization was high it dominated trade,

science, and culture from Spain in the West to China in the East.

Muslims ruled over all major trade routes from China to Europe on water (Indian Ocean, Red Sea,

Mediterranean Ocean) and on land (Silk Road, routes from China to Baghdad, from Baghdad to

Damascus, from Damascus, Cairo and the Maghreb to Italy) and all major Muslim cities were

busting of traders, merchants, money traders, and caravans of all colors and sizes.

Europe had no choice but to buy all luxury goods from Muslim traders (materials, paper, spices,

sugar) via North Africa or Sham, and Italy became Europe's richest region because it could sell its

goods from Africa for high profits to its neighbors in the North.

As soon as Spain found a way to find independent trade routes (around Africa) to India and China,

Europe was no longer dependent in Muslim trade, became a rival, and finally defeated Muslim

countries economically and politically.

Translation Activities

What turned the Muslim world into the scientifically and intellectually most advanced society was the

high amount of tolerance and independent spirit among Muslim rulers and scholars toward the

"foreign sciences". Muslims found it important to learn other sciences than Islamic sciences as...

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

...well, and started to collect and translate Greek, Persian, and Indian works on medicine,

mathematics, physics, mechanics, and philosophy.

As soon as Muslim scholars were able to master those sciences and benefit from the knowledge

gathered by other civilizations in the past, they succeeded in making their own scientific

discoveries and wrote their own works in Arabic.

Had Muslims ignored the knowledge of nature and only concentrated on revealed knowledge and

the Islamic sciences, Islamic civilization would not have become a great civilization. Muslim society

needs experts in all fields of knowledge, in administration, in natural science, in philosophy and

thought, in technology and research, and in literature in order to keep a fine and healthy balance

between people's material, intellectual, and spiritual needs.

Contributions of Islamic Civilization

It undeniable that Islamic civilization in past had contributed a lot to human civilization. It had witnessed

the emergence of many prominent Muslims scholars in various field of knowledge. Among them were

Al-Khawarizmi, Al-Jabir, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd, Al-Kindi, Al-Razi. We will their contributions in brief.

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Al-Khawarizmi

Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khawarizmi (780-847)

Field: mathematics, astronomy, music, geography and history

Books:

Al-Mafatih al-Ulum (astronomy)

was translated into Latin entitled Fratti d'Arithmetica

was printed in 1157

Hisab al-Jabr wal Muqabal (mathematics)

Kitab Surah al-Ardh (geography)

Al-Jabir

Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan (8th Century)

Famous as chemist and known as Gaber in the West

Book:

Kitab al-Sab'in

Kitab al-Mizan (Book of Balanced Principle)

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

A discovery in the field of metallurgy

About theory and practice of steam, distillation and crystallization

Ibn Sina

Abu Ali al-Hussain Ibn Abdullah (980-1037)

A Persian (Iran) and was born in Bukhara

Famous in the field of medicine

Known as Avicenna in the West

Book:

Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb

Was translated into 15 languages in 15th Century

In English, the book is called Medicine

Also known as Canon of Medicine

Ibn Rushd

Abu Walid Muhammad Ibn Ahmad (1126-1198)

Known as Averrous in the West

A famous philosopher, also expert in fiqh and well-known in medicine

10.3 The Uniqueness and Specialty of Islamic Civilization

Book:

Kulliyyah fi al-Tibb (General Principle of Medicine)

Was translated into Latin and known as Colliget

Al-Kindi

Abu Yusuf al-Kindi (809-873)

Was an 'ulama/scholar in many fields

Field of knowledge: philosophy, mathematics, music, logics, astronomy, astrology, physics,

optics, pharmacy, medicine and mystical world

Books were in Latin:

De aspectibus (geometry and optical physiology)

De Medicinarum Compesitarum Gradibus (physiology and mathematics)

Al-Razi

Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Zakaria al-Razi (865-925)

Known as Rhazes in the West

Field of knowledge: science, chemistry, physics, philosophy, music, mathematics, astronomy

and ethics