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Showing posts from March, 2023

The Battle of the Trench

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The Battle of the Trench (also known as the Battle of Khandaq) took place in the year 627 CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early Muslim community in Medina. The battle was fought between the Muslims and a coalition of tribes from Mecca and surrounding regions, who were seeking to attack and destroy the Muslim community. The Meccan forces were led by Abu Sufyan, a prominent leader of the Quraysh tribe, and included fighters from several other tribes, including the Banu Nadir and the Ghatafan. The Muslims, who were vastly outnumbered, were led by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his closest companions, including Ali, Abu Bakr, Umar, and others. The Muslims devised a strategy to defend Medina by digging a trench around the city, which made it difficult for the Meccan forces to launch a direct attack. The battle lasted for several days, during which time the Meccan forces attempted to breach the trench and enter the city. However, the Musl

Ibn Battuta

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Ibn Battuta (1304 –1368 or 1369) was a famous Moroccan scholar and explorer who is best known for his extensive travels and his work documenting his journeys. He is often considered one of the greatest travellers of all time. Ibn Battuta traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, which at the time spanned from Morocco to China, and documented his experiences in a book called the "Rihla" (meaning "Journey" in Arabic). The book provides valuable insights into the societies, cultures, and religions he encountered during his travels. Ibn Battuta's journeys lasted for over 30 years, during which he visited most of the Islamic world, including parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He traveled to cities such as Mecca, Cairo, Constantinople, Delhi, and Beijing, and met with important leaders and scholars along the way. His travels also took him to regions that were largely unexplored by outsiders at the time. Today, Ibn Battuta is remembered for hi

Ridda Wars

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The Ridda Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in the Arabian Peninsula after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, between various Arab tribes and the newly formed Islamic state. These wars were fought over the issue of loyalty to the Islamic state and its authority. The Ridda Wars, also known as the Wars of Apostasy, took place in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, immediately following the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. These wars were fought by various Arab tribes against the newly formed Islamic state, led by Abu Bakr, the first caliph (leader) of Islam after the death of Muhammad. The cause of the Ridda Wars was the refusal of some Arab tribes to continue to pay the religious tax (zakat) and to acknowledge the authority of the Islamic state. The wars lasted for about a year and a half and resulted in the defeat of the rebel tribes by the Islamic forces.  Abu Bakr, the first caliph of Islam, played a crucial role in the Ridda Wars by leading the Islamic forc

Ali - the strongest caliph

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  The strongest caliph Ali was the fourth Rashidun caliph from 656 until his assassination in 661. He is considered to be one of the valiant Muslim warriors. He took part in almost all the battles fought by the nascent Muslim community. His contributions in the Battle of Khyber and the Battle of Badr are very well known. The Battle of Badr was the first large-scale confrontation between Muslims and the Quraysh. In picture: Arabic calligraphy which means "There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar"

Influential Mathematicians of Islamic Golden Age

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  Mathematics During the islamic golden age, 9th and 10th centuries mathematics mostly done in Arabics had influenced many mathematicians of Europe in the later centuries. Studies of algebra, geometry and trigonometry had seen some major developments. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was the founder of Algebra. In the book "The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing" Al-Khwarizmi explains how to solve the positive roots of linear and quadratic polynomial equations. Al-Khwarizmi's algebra was rhetorical which were helpful for others scholars as well. Interesting fact:  Al-Khwarizmi was appointed as the head of House of Wisdom. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive says "Perhaps one of the most significant advances made by Arabic mathematics began at this time with the work of al-Khwarizmi, namely the beginnings of algebra" Al-Khwārizmī's Zīj al-Sindhind also contained tables for the trigonometric functions of sines and cosine. A related t

Al-Jayyani: The father of modern spherical trigonometry

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Modern spherical trigonometry Al-Jayyani was an Islamic 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘯. He wrote many important commentaries on Euclid's Elements and was the first to make spherical trigonometry. fyi spherical trigonometry is the metrical relationships between the sides and angles of spherical triangles. The Spanish scholar was an expert in the Qur'an, also being knowledgeable in Arabic philology, inheritance laws and arithmetic. Al-Jayyani's work on ratio is the most interesting mathematical work. Line, surface, angle, and solid were the four magnitudes used in geometry. He was the first to consider "number" as geometrical magnitude. We are going to learn about Al-Jayyani’s "The book of Unknown Arcs of a Sphere", considered the first treatise on spherical trigonometry. In his book he describes formula for right-handed triangles, the general law of sines, and the solution of a spherical triangle by means of the polar triangle. He had sketched some figures to

Abbas Ibn Firnas

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  Abbas Ibn Firnaswas an important figure in Islamic history, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and aviation. Here are some important details about him: Abbas Ibn Firnas (810-887) Abbas Ibn Firnas was a polymath who made significant contributions to various fields, including astronomy, mathematics, music, and poetry. He is most famous for his pioneering work in aviation, specifically for his attempts to fly using a glider-like device. In 875, he reportedly made a successful flight from a hill in Cordoba, Spain, and landed safely with the help of a tail of feathers. Abbas Ibn Firnas was also a skilled inventor and engineer. He designed and built several machines and devices, including a water clock, a planetarium, and a device for grinding lenses. He was a prolific writer and wrote extensively on topics such as astronomy, mechanics, and optics. Some of his works have survived and are still studied today. Abbas Ibn Firnas was a prominent figure in the court of the Umayy

Muslim conquest of Persia (Conquering Byzantine and Sasanian empires)

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During the early Islamic conquests, the Rashidun Caliphate faced military conflicts on multiple fronts, sometimes against more than one empire simultaneously. One such example was the Byzantine-Persian War, a series of wars fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanian Empire of Persia from the 6th to the 7th century. The Islamic conquests began during this time and added a third front to the ongoing conflict. At one point, the Rashidun Caliphate found itself fighting both the Byzantine and Sassanian Empires at the same time. This occurred during the reign of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, when the Muslim forces had advanced deep into Sassanian territory and captured the city of Ctesiphon, the Sassanian capital, in 637 CE. At the same time, the Byzantine Empire launched a counteroffensive in the Levant and regained several of their lost territories. The Muslim forces had to divide their attention between the two fronts, and were ultimately able to achieve victory over both empires

Four most renowned and influential scholars

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  There were many esteemed Islamic scholars during the medieval period. Some of the most renowned and influential scholars include: ISLAMIC GOLDEN AGE SCHOALRS 1.Imam al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE): Al-Ghazali was a philosopher, theologian, jurist, and mystic who wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including Islamic law, theology, and spirituality. His works, such as “Ihya Ulum al-Din” and “Tahafut al-Falasifah,” continue to be widely read and studied today. 2.Ibn Rushd (1126-1198 CE): Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes, was a philosopher and jurist who wrote extensively on Aristotle’s works and developed a philosophy known as Averroism. His works had a profound impact on both Islamic and European intellectual history. 3.Ibn Sina (980-1037 CE): Also known as Avicenna, Ibn Sina was a physician, philosopher, and polymath who wrote on a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, logic, and medicine. His works, such as “Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb” (The Canon of Medicine), were influential in

Battle of Ain Jalut

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  The Battle of Ain Jalut took place on September 3, 1260 CE, in the Jezreel Valley in modern-day Israel. It was fought between the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and the Mongol Empire, led by the Ilkhanate ruler Hulagu Khan. The Mamluks, led by Sultan Qutuz, were outnumbered, but they won the battle and dealt a decisive blow to the Mongol Empire’s expansion into the Middle East. The victory at Ain Jalut is considered to be one of the most significant battles in world history, as it marked the first time that a Muslim army had defeated the Mongols in open combat. The battle is also notable for its impact on the Crusader states in the region, as the Mamluks went on to conquer much of the territory previously held by the Crusaders in the Levant.

Linguistic Advancements in Islamic Golden Age

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In Islamic Golden Age there were many significant advancements made in the field of language and linguistics. One of the most prominent figures of the Islamic Golden Age in the field of linguistics was the scholar Al-Farabi. He wrote extensively on Arabic grammar, syntax, and morphology, and was known for his work on the principles of language. Al-Farabi also wrote on the philosophy of language, including the relationship between language and thought. Another important figure was the scholar Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna. He was a physician and philosopher, but he also made significant contributions to the study of linguistics. Ibn Sina wrote about the origins of language, the relationship between language and meaning, and the principles of grammar. He also proposed a theory of semantics, which is still studied today. The Islamic Golden Age was also marked by significant advances in the field of translation. During this time, many works from Greek, Persian, and Indian cultures were

Islamic golden age Poem

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  Beautiful poem about Islamic golden age made by ChatGPT with a bit of modification  In the days of old, a golden age did shine, When Islamic scholars reached the divine, From the land of Persia to Andalusia’s coast, Their knowledge spread like a brilliant host. In mathematics and astronomy, they were wise, Their inventions and discoveries, a true surprise, Philosophers and poets, their voices did ring, Their legacy, a true jewel for all to sing. Oh, how their light did shine so bright, A golden age that still fills our sight, May we cherish their wisdom, forevermore, And honor their legacy, forevermore.