International Journal of Pathology; 2009; 7(2): 104-106
History of Science and Medicine
Great Patrons of Sciences:
Great Patrons of Sciences - Part I: Mamun Al’Rashid
Guardian of Scientific and Philosophical Research in Medieval
Islam
Muhammad Kamran
Department of Pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.
Growth
of
sciences
requires
right
environment. Without appropriate soil and water it
can’t grow. Even if a plant grows its growth may be
overtaken by weeds and it may not bring abundant
sweet fruit. The spiritual and mental soundness as
well as the material help are required. The water, soil
and air for the growth of the plants are sound these
attributes. The weeds and the microbial and toxic
attacks are the materialism, greed, jealousy,
unfairness, inhumanity and cowardice etc.
The tremendous contribution of Islam toward
establishment and development of various branches of
science without which sciences could not have taken
roots and grown to this level; was pro vided by the
Quran and the Sunnah (Path) of the Prophet (PBUH).
Quran, the final edition and protector of all previous
divine revelations was instrumental in generating the
great zeal and passion for learning on one hand and
on the other hand it provided great rulers who
provided the tremendous patronage and support to
the sciences. About 1100 years ago Baghdad, Spain
and Egypt were ruled by Ma’moon Rashid who took
monumental steps to lay down the foundations of the
sciences and took these to the skies from earth. At
about the same time Central Asia was ruled by Sultan
Mehmood Ghaznawi used all his conquered money to
finance growth of Sciences. Abu Rihan Albairuni
under his patronage discovered the orbits of various
stars, measured the diameter of earth accurately and
provided numerous other contributions to the
sciences. Al-Beruni's (973-1048) level of experimental
maturity was again reached only in the sixteenth
century with Johannes Kepler, Tyco Braho and Galileo
Galilei (who was also persecuted in the same
extravagance Al-Beruni has mentioned).
Muhammad Kamran
Department of Pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical
Sciences, Islamabad.
This was the ethos of experiment, injected into
the corpus of science by Muslim medievalists, that is
now a part of the proud European methodology. This
would be simply impossible without active support of
such great patrons of sciences as Ma’moon Rashid and
Mehmood Ghaznawi. We will Insha Allah discuss the
great role of Mehmood Ghaznawi in one of future
issues, here we look at the role of Ma’moon Rashid in
establishing very basic sciences on strong foundations
which over centuries resulted in formation of great
empire of science and medicine.
Islam as a faith has always upheld the cause of
knowledge and wisdom. However the concept of
knowledge in Islam has always been unique. The term
used for knowledge in Arabic is ‘ilm’, which has much
wider connotation than its synonyms in all western
languages including English. Word ‘knowledge’ fails
to express all aspects of ‘ilm’. To the West knowledge
means information about something, divine or
corporeal, while ‘ilm’ is an all embracing term
covering theory, action and education. This is better
exemplified by following hadith of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH),
"A servant of God will remain standing on the
Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his (time
on earth) and how he used it; about his knowledge
(ilm) and how he utilized it; about his wealth and from
where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent
it; and about his body and how he used it." –
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 148
104
International Journal of Pathology; 2009; 7(2): 104-106
After his arrival in Baghdad he had to quash
rebellions in Egypt (826-827), Qum (827), Yemen (829830) and Sind (831-832).6 There was also struggle
against the Byzantines. In 830, Mamun led a victorious
force across the border. He captured several fortresses,
sparing the surrendering Byzantines. The next year,
learning Byzantines had killed some sixteen hundred
people, he returned. This time some thirty forts fell to
the Caliphate forces.3,6
On domestic front Mamun showed himself to
be a judicious sovereign. He closely controlled his
ministers and did not appoint an all-powerful vizier.2,6
He also tried to reconcile Sunni and Shiite Muslims.2,5
The Abbasid Empire grew during the tenure
of Mamun. Rebellions in Sind were quashed, and most
of Afghanistan was brought under the sway with the
surrender of the Amir of Kabul. Mountainous regions
of Persia were brought under a tighter grip of the
central Abbasid government, as were areas of
Turkestan.3
Tabari describes him (Mamun), a handsome
man of light complexion and average height. He also
categorically mentions Caliph’s ability to speak
concisely and eloquently without preparation, his
generosity, his respect for Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), his sense of moderation and his love of
poetry.7
Background
From the times of Prophet (PBUH), the quest
for knowledge has been the faith of enlightened
Muslims. Individual as well as collective efforts of
small groups contributed a great deal to fostering
research and education throughout Muslim world.
However, this trend reached its zenith during the
times of Mamun Al’ Rashid. His father Caliph Harun
al-Rashid is regarded by many as the first caliph to
conceive the idea of official patronage of scholars by
creating a centre of excellence and research in
Baghdad (the capital of Abbasid Caliphate). He named
it Bait-ul-Hikma (The house of wisdom).
Muslims under Umayyads were passing
through a period of probation, preparing themselves
for the great task they were called upon to undertake.
However under Abbasids we find them the
repositories of knowledge of the world. Every part of
the globe is ransacked by the agents of the caliphs for
the hoarded wealth of antiquity; these are brought to
the capital, and laid before an admiring and
appreciating public. Schools and libraries spring up in
every direction; public libraries are established in
every city free to every comer. This whole background
was to give you a brief overview of the situation and
trends in the contemporary Islamic world. Now we
shall concentrate more on Caliph Mamun Al’ Rashid
and his contribution to knowledge, education and
research.
House of Wisdom
God Almighty has described wisdom as one of
his greatest gifts to mankind. The one, who is
bestowed with wisdom, makes best use of knowledge
and capitalizes on the riches of the world. He himself
acts as a centre of excellence by conveying and
simplifying the knowledge to his fellow human
beings. This is epitomized in following verse of Holy
Quran;
He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth;
and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a
benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message
but men of understanding. (al-Baqarah: 269)
If a King is endowed with wisdom, he
certainly is in a better position to exploit all his
resources for the betterment of society. Such was the
case of Mamun, whose quest for knowledge, led him
to rejuvenate and galvanize the scientific and
philosophical research. The sovereign himself assisted
at literary meetings and philosophical disquisitions.
For the first time in the history of humanity, a religious
and autocratic government observed to ally itself with
philosophy, preparing and participating in its
triumphs. It was his reign when previously dormant
The Man
Mamun Al-Rashid (Arabic full name: was the
younger son of Abbasid caliph Caliph Harun AlRashid (763 – 809).1 He was born in year 786 AD.1,2
His mother was of Iranian origin, while his half
brother al-Amin’s mother had royal Arab ancestry.3,4
For this and some other reasons he was more popular
in the masses (majority of whom were Persians), while
his brother’s support lied in royal family. When it
became necessary for Harun Al-Rashid to choose an
heir, he decided in favor of al-Amin, after much
hesitation.4 He knew this fact that Mamun was his
talented son, yet he decided in favor of his oldest son
al-Amin. Death of Harun al-Rashid in 809 resulted in a
civil war which almost wiped out Baghdad. Al-Amin’s
initial control in Baghdad was soon to be quelled after
decisive victory of Mamun in 813.1-5 There were
disturbances in Iraq during the first several years of
Mamun's reign, while the caliph was in Merv (in
present day Turkmenistan, then part of Persia).1,3,4,5
He finally entered Baghdad in 819. 1,3,5
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International Journal of Pathology; 2009; 7(2): 104-106
Bayt al Hikma came into life and transformed into a
magnet for the seekers of knowledge from across the
world and Muslim empire.
Reputedly established under the supervision
of Harun-Al Rashid , Bayt Al Hikma was originally
concerned with translating and preserving Persian
works. It replaced the old Persian academy of
Gundeshapur established under the Sassanids.8
Mamun gave a new impetusto this academy, which
was to exert a considerable influence on the
development of Islamicthought and culture.9 It became
a monumental structure, accommodating translators,
copyists, scholars, scientists, librarians and swelling
volumes of Persian, Sanskrit and Greek texts that
flooded into Baghdad.5,7
The great philosophers of ancient world were
studied side by side with Quran. Galen, Dioscorides,
Themistius, Aristotle, Plato, Euclid, Ptolemy,
Hippocrates, Pythagoras and Apollonius received
their due appreciation.10 Only the best translators
worked in the Bayt al-Hikmah to preserve the
philosophical and scientific manuscripts from foreign
lands. Most of the famous Muslim scholars from the
9th to 13th centuries had their educational roots in
Baghdad.11 From every part of the globe students and
scholars flocked to Baghdad to the listen the words of
the Saracenic sages.8,10
The art of papermaking had already been
obtained from Chinese after the Battle of Talas (751).
This introduction of paper facilitated the proliferation
of books and libraries. This was also supported by
introduction of large number of stationery shops,
which increased exponentially with the increase in the
number of books in the library. Whosoever wanted
was at liberty to copy any book he wished to copy, or
whoever required to read a certain book found in the
library could do so.10 The House of Wisdom also had a
catalog and books were placed according to specific
genres and categories.12
Scholars studied the Qur’an, mathematics,
philosophy, astronomy, grammar, lexicography and
medicine.
It was a greatest ‘think tank’ the medieval
world had ever seen. Without the translations and
research that went on here, much of the Greek, Latin
and Egyptian knowledge would have been lost to the
world.
To the same institution were attached
astronomical
observatories,
one
installed
at
Baghdad, the other at Damascus, where Muslim
scholars devised in particular new tables, correcting
the ancient ones furnished by Ptolemy.13
Its directors (during the reign of Mamun) were
Sahl b. Harun and Salm, assisted by Sa'id b. Harun.
Other notable scholars associated with the library are
Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī (famous
mathematician and father of Algebra), the Banu Musa
brothers (got fame in the fields of mechanics,
mathematics, astronomy, geometry), and Yaqub ibn
Ishaq al-Kindi (wrote two hundred works on
arithmetic, geometry, philosophy, meteorology, optics
and medicine). It also included an important staff of
translators, of whom the most famous were Hunayn
ibn Ishaq and Banu 'l-Munadhdhim, as well as
copyists and binders.3,14,15
There is a long list of alumni and scholars who
contributed a great deal to the development of science
and religious philosophy. It is beyond the scope of
present article to mention each and every person
associated with this prestigious institution. To
summarize the whole conception and assignment of
this unique school, we simply state;
Bayt al-Hikmah was a remarkable assemblage
of scholars-translators who undertook a Herculean
task: to translate into Arabic all of what had survived
of the philosophical and scientific tradition of the
ancient world and incorporate it into the conceptual
framework of Islam.
Just ponder how splendid Baghdad would
have looked with this beautiful conglomeration of
exalted men. Baghdad -- with Abdullah al Mamun
deservedly styled as Augustus of Arabs. Baghdad –
where the men of pen and letter were more honored
than the men of wealth. Baghdad – with
unprecedented intellectual activity marking a distinct
epoch in the history of the world. A city – with
Abbasid glory and architectural grandeur. In words of
famous
Persian poet Anwari
“Blessed be the site of Baghdad, seat of
learning and art –
None can point in the world to a city equal to
her.”
References
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
106
Philip K. Hitti : History of Arabs : Revised tenth edition 2002. P. 317.
Mamun, al- (2009). Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica
2009 Student and Home Edition. Chicago: Encyclopaedia
Britannica.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mamun
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari History vol. 31 "The War Between
Brothers," transl. Michael Fishbein, SUNY, Albany, 1992; vol. 32 "The
Reunification of the Abbasid Caliphate," SUNY, Albany, 1987.
Arthur Goldshmidt, Jr. A Concise History of the Middle East. Third
Edition Revised and Updated. ISBN 0813304717.
John Bagot Glubb The Empire of the Arabs, Hodder and Stoughton,
London, 1963.
International Journal of Pathology; 2009; 7(2): 104-106
7.
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Al-Tabari (v. 32, p. 231)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_of_Gundishapur
'arabiyya, B. III, 1
Ameer Ali: The Spirit of Islam : P. 305.
http://knowingthetruth.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/baghdad-bayt-alhikmah/
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107
Micheau, Francoise, "The Scientific Institutions in the Medieval Near
East", pp. 988–991 in (Morelon & Rashed 1996, pp. 985-1007)
zidh [q.v.]
Iraq: The 'Abbasid Caliphate, Encyclopedia Britannica
http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ei2/hikma.htm