What are some of the contribution that Islamic culture has made to the west?

Answer 1

They traded and made treaties with the western world making themselfs and the western world richer in money, supplies and religion
"Mathematics

One example of Islamic origins of Western mathematical education is the system of Arabic numeral notation and decimals. These numbering and counting systems (called 'Arabic numerals') were developed by Muslim mathematicians, and are still in use today. The words "zero" and "algebra" are derived from their original Arabic names. Muslim scholars can take "credit for rescuing the useful zero from the heart of India and putting it to work in the elaboration of the decimal system, without which the achievements of modern science would be impossible" (Cobb, 1965). As just one illustration, Zahoor and Haq (1997) explain the importance of the symbol for "zero" as a critical step to the arithmetic of positions. With the implementation of the Arabic numbering system, elementary calculations were perfected and the relationships among the equal and the unequal and prime numbers, and squares and cubes, were elaborated. Definition of algebra led to discussion of geometry. In about 820 A.D., the mathematician Al-Khawarizmi wrote a textbook of Algebra in examples (subsequently translated into Latin), which was used by Western scholars as recently as the 16th century (Zahoor & Haq).

Language

Mathematics is not the only subject influenced by Islam. Many common words in English and some of the European languages have been drawn from Arabic words. Some examples of English words of Arabic origin are admiral (AMEER AL-Ma'), alchemy, alcohol, algebra, almanac, attar, candy, cotton, gazelle, henna, gibraltar, giraffe, jar, jasmine, kohl, lemon, safari, sesame, sharif, sherbet, sofa, spinach, and wadi.

Muessig and Allen (1962) acknowledge Western education's debt to Islam and assert that it would be difficult to find a course or field without Islamic influence, even though it may not be presented as such. A high school home Economics teacher, for example, may use food names with an Islamic origin, such as sugar. An arithmetic teacher presenting a lesson on the importance of zero as a place-holder may not realize that the term is of Arabic origin. High school algebra instructors use words of Arabian origin, and teach concepts developed by Muslims. A professor in the science of pharmacy may not realize that Islamic scholars were pioneers in this field, as well.

An Islamic inspiration is evident in western literature, as well. For instance, Robinson Crusoe by Defoe is sourced in "Message from Hai Ben Yakzan," which was written by the Muslim philosopher Ibn Tofail. "The Arabian Nights" has been repeatedly published worldwide, and its stories have affected many writers.[1]

Muslims encouraged the accessibility of library materials to the general public, and the spreading of general enlightenment. Public and private libraries in Islamic civilizations reflect that books were often read. Various sources report that Al-Hakam gathered some 600,000 volumes in Al-Andalus. To compare this to later collections, the Royal Library of France was said to have only 900 volumes approximately 400 years later (see Muessig & Allen, 1962, p. 152). In that era, some hospitals and clinics even had libraries. Durant (1950, vol. 4, pp. 330-331) mentions that great hospitals would often provide professional storytellers for the sleepless. Thus, knowledge was a gateway to serve the community.

Science

Great volumes of Arabic and Greek scientific research were translated into Latin during the 12th and 13th centuries, which had a great impact upon the European Renaissance. Another example of the influence of Islamic learning on the West can be noted in the organized translation into Latin of many Islamic scholarly works in such fields as science and philosophy.

Muslims in the medieval ages refined and applied the experimental methods of science and attitude. They studied mathematics, medicine, chemistry, Astronomy, geography, and other academic areas. Working in laboratories was a customary part of their research efforts. Their methods of gathering information in a systematic fashion were quite workable, and have provided a foundation for the systems in use today.

Muslims had established laboratories over one thousand years ago in which they conducted experiments and published their discoveries, without which Lavoisier would not have been able to produce anything in his field. Modern chemistry is sourced in the research and experimentation of Muslim scientists, which is demonstrated in such great scientific discoveries as steam, electricity, telegraphy, telephony, and radio signals (Zahoor & Haq, 1997).

Avicenna in his Canon of Medicine (al-Qanun fi at-tibb)became the most authoritative medical text of the Middle Ages, and was used in European medical schools, passing through numerous editions. Western scholars recognize that this text has been revered as a medical bible for a longer period than any other work (Cobb, 1965 and Myers 1964). It is a systematic encyclopedia based, for the most part, on the achievements of Greek physicians of the Roman imperial age and other Arabic works and, to a lesser extent, on Avicenna' own experiences (his own clinical notes were lost during his journeys). Encyclopaedia Britannica (2000) calls the Canon of Medicine the world's most famous single book in the history of medicine.

Gobb (1963) in his book Islamic Contribution to Civilization, studied Islamic history in depth in an appreciative and cordial manner. About significant contributions made by Muslims he says; "For more than five centuries that civilization not only led the world in science, but was the only portion of mankind actively engaged in the systematic pursuit of knowledge" (p. 5).

Education

Perhaps the most profound and vital contribution of Muslims to educational theory is demonstrated by their advocacy of universal, free education. Islam encourages the education of capable boys and girls of all stations of life, and the acceptance of teachers of different races and persuasions. Long before western Europeans championed the concept of educational opportunities for everyone, the Muslims had implemented this philosophy in a variety of ways. In many respects, Muslims predated Western educational practices by over a millennium. Muslims were the first to structure higher education as we know it, and there is a clear influence on Western scholarship by Islamic institutions. Bait al-Hikma, the first recorded Muslim university, was established early in the 9th century. The Muslims passed on the concept of specialization of universities within a narrow range of subjects, endowed chairs, scholarships for the needy, public financial support, establishment of endowments, auditing of courses, organization of academic disciplines, and student selection of field and advisor. Many Western scholars were included among the students -- men who later became Catholic Popes and church scholars, university professors, authors, scientists, and physicians (Muessig & Allen, 1962).

Children of even the lowest socioeconomic status are entitled to know the romance of learning. There are many examples of desperately poor Islamic students who obtained an education and who subsequently became eminent scholars in their own right, to whom others would come seeking knowledge. Bilal Bin Rabah and Ata' Bin Abi Rabah are clear examples of students taking advantage of these opportunities. Islam lifts its adherents above consciousness of race or color, establishing an effective brotherhood in the name of Allah.

Islam has established a legacy of outstanding moral guidelines, which there is a crying need for in contemporary society. The propagation of Islamic virtues would eliminate the dissension caused by racial discrimination among peoples (Toynbee, 1957, p. 205). God tells us in the Holy Qur'an, "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours. Verily in these are signs for those who know" (30:22)."

See the related link for further information.

Answer 2

They traded and made treaties with the western world making themselfs and the western world richer in money, supplies and religion
"Mathematics

One example of Islamic origins of Western mathematical education is the system of Arabic numeral notation and decimals. These numbering and counting systems (called 'Arabic numerals') were developed by Muslim mathematicians, and are still in use today. The words "zero" and "algebra" are derived from their original Arabic names. Muslim scholars can take "credit for rescuing the useful zero from the heart of India and putting it to work in the elaboration of the decimal system, without which the achievements of modern science would be impossible" (Cobb, 1965). As just one illustration, Zahoor and Haq (1997) explain the importance of the symbol for "zero" as a critical step to the arithmetic of positions. With the implementation of the Arabic numbering system, elementary calculations were perfected and the relationships among the equal and the unequal and prime numbers, and squares and cubes, were elaborated. Definition of algebra led to discussion of geometry. In about 820 A.D., the mathematician Al-Khawarizmi wrote a textbook of Algebra in examples (subsequently translated into Latin), which was used by Western scholars as recently as the 16th century (Zahoor & Haq).

Language

Mathematics is not the only subject influenced by Islam. Many common words in English and some of the European languages have been drawn from Arabic words. Some examples of English words of Arabic origin are admiral (AMEER AL-Ma'), alchemy, alcohol, algebra, almanac, attar, candy, cotton, gazelle, henna, gibraltar, giraffe, jar, jasmine, kohl, lemon, safari, sesame, sharif, sherbet, sofa, spinach, and wadi.

Muessig and Allen (1962) acknowledge Western education's debt to Islam and assert that it would be difficult to find a course or field without Islamic influence, even though it may not be presented as such. A high school home Economics teacher, for example, may use food names with an Islamic origin, such as sugar. An arithmetic teacher presenting a lesson on the importance of zero as a place-holder may not realize that the term is of Arabic origin. High school algebra instructors use words of Arabian origin, and teach concepts developed by Muslims. A professor in the science of pharmacy may not realize that Islamic scholars were pioneers in this field, as well.

An Islamic inspiration is evident in western literature, as well. For instance, Robinson Crusoe by Defoe is sourced in "Message from Hai Ben Yakzan," which was written by the Muslim philosopher Ibn Tofail. "The Arabian Nights" has been repeatedly published worldwide, and its stories have affected many writers.[1]

Muslims encouraged the accessibility of library materials to the general public, and the spreading of general enlightenment. Public and private libraries in Islamic civilizations reflect that books were often read. Various sources report that Al-Hakam gathered some 600,000 volumes in Al-Andalus. To compare this to later collections, the Royal Library of France was said to have only 900 volumes approximately 400 years later (see Muessig & Allen, 1962, p. 152). In that era, some hospitals and clinics even had libraries. Durant (1950, vol. 4, pp. 330-331) mentions that great hospitals would often provide professional storytellers for the sleepless. Thus, knowledge was a gateway to serve the community.

Science

Great volumes of Arabic and Greek scientific research were translated into Latin during the 12th and 13th centuries, which had a great impact upon the European Renaissance. Another example of the influence of Islamic learning on the West can be noted in the organized translation into Latin of many Islamic scholarly works in such fields as science and philosophy.

Muslims in the medieval ages refined and applied the experimental methods of science and attitude. They studied mathematics, medicine, chemistry, Astronomy, geography, and other academic areas. Working in laboratories was a customary part of their research efforts. Their methods of gathering information in a systematic fashion were quite workable, and have provided a foundation for the systems in use today.

Muslims had established laboratories over one thousand years ago in which they conducted experiments and published their discoveries, without which Lavoisier would not have been able to produce anything in his field. Modern chemistry is sourced in the research and experimentation of Muslim scientists, which is demonstrated in such great scientific discoveries as steam, electricity, telegraphy, telephony, and radio signals (Zahoor & Haq, 1997).

Avicenna in his Canon of Medicine (al-Qanun fi at-tibb)became the most authoritative medical text of the Middle Ages, and was used in European medical schools, passing through numerous editions. Western scholars recognize that this text has been revered as a medical bible for a longer period than any other work (Cobb, 1965 and Myers 1964). It is a systematic encyclopedia based, for the most part, on the achievements of Greek physicians of the Roman imperial age and other Arabic works and, to a lesser extent, on Avicenna' own experiences (his own clinical notes were lost during his journeys). Encyclopaedia Britannica (2000) calls the Canon of Medicine the world's most famous single book in the history of medicine.

Gobb (1963) in his book Islamic Contribution to Civilization, studied Islamic history in depth in an appreciative and cordial manner. About significant contributions made by Muslims he says; "For more than five centuries that civilization not only led the world in science, but was the only portion of mankind actively engaged in the systematic pursuit of knowledge" (p. 5).

Education

Perhaps the most profound and vital contribution of Muslims to educational theory is demonstrated by their advocacy of universal, free education. Islam encourages the education of capable boys and girls of all stations of life, and the acceptance of teachers of different races and persuasions. Long before western Europeans championed the concept of educational opportunities for everyone, the Muslims had implemented this philosophy in a variety of ways. In many respects, Muslims predated Western educational practices by over a millennium. Muslims were the first to structure higher education as we know it, and there is a clear influence on Western scholarship by Islamic institutions. Bait al-Hikma, the first recorded Muslim university, was established early in the 9th century. The Muslims passed on the concept of specialization of universities within a narrow range of subjects, endowed chairs, scholarships for the needy, public financial support, establishment of endowments, auditing of courses, organization of academic disciplines, and student selection of field and advisor. Many Western scholars were included among the students -- men who later became Catholic Popes and church scholars, university professors, authors, scientists, and physicians (Muessig & Allen, 1962).

Children of even the lowest socioeconomic status are entitled to know the romance of learning. There are many examples of desperately poor Islamic students who obtained an education and who subsequently became eminent scholars in their own right, to whom others would come seeking knowledge. Bilal Bin Rabah and Ata' Bin Abi Rabah are clear examples of students taking advantage of these opportunities. Islam lifts its adherents above consciousness of race or color, establishing an effective brotherhood in the name of Allah.

Islam has established a legacy of outstanding moral guidelines, which there is a crying need for in contemporary society. The propagation of Islamic virtues would eliminate the dissension caused by racial discrimination among peoples (Toynbee, 1957, p. 205). God tells us in the Holy Qur'an, "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours. Verily in these are signs for those who know" (30:22)."

See the related link for further information.

Answer 3

They traded and made treaties with the western world making themselfs and the western world richer in money, supplies and religion
"Mathematics

One example of Islamic origins of Western mathematical education is the system of Arabic numeral notation and decimals. These numbering and counting systems (called 'Arabic numerals') were developed by Muslim mathematicians, and are still in use today. The words "zero" and "algebra" are derived from their original Arabic names. Muslim scholars can take "credit for rescuing the useful zero from the heart of India and putting it to work in the elaboration of the decimal system, without which the achievements of modern science would be impossible" (Cobb, 1965). As just one illustration, Zahoor and Haq (1997) explain the importance of the symbol for "zero" as a critical step to the arithmetic of positions. With the implementation of the Arabic numbering system, elementary calculations were perfected and the relationships among the equal and the unequal and prime numbers, and squares and cubes, were elaborated. Definition of algebra led to discussion of geometry. In about 820 A.D., the mathematician Al-Khawarizmi wrote a textbook of Algebra in examples (subsequently translated into Latin), which was used by Western scholars as recently as the 16th century (Zahoor & Haq).

Language

Mathematics is not the only subject influenced by Islam. Many common words in English and some of the European languages have been drawn from Arabic words. Some examples of English words of Arabic origin are admiral (AMEER AL-Ma'), alchemy, alcohol, algebra, almanac, attar, candy, cotton, gazelle, henna, gibraltar, giraffe, jar, jasmine, kohl, lemon, safari, sesame, sharif, sherbet, sofa, spinach, and wadi.

Muessig and Allen (1962) acknowledge Western education's debt to Islam and assert that it would be difficult to find a course or field without Islamic influence, even though it may not be presented as such. A high school home economics teacher, for example, may use food names with an Islamic origin, such as sugar. An arithmetic teacher presenting a lesson on the importance of zero as a place-holder may not realize that the term is of Arabic origin. High school algebra instructors use words of Arabian origin, and teach concepts developed by Muslims. A professor in the science of pharmacy may not realize that Islamic scholars were pioneers in this field, as well.

An Islamic inspiration is evident in western literature, as well. For instance, Robinson Crusoe by Defoe is sourced in "Message from Hai Ben Yakzan," which was written by the Muslim philosopher Ibn Tofail. "The Arabian Nights" has been repeatedly published worldwide, and its stories have affected many writers.[1]

Muslims encouraged the accessibility of library materials to the general public, and the spreading of general enlightenment. Public and private libraries in Islamic civilizations reflect that books were often read. Various sources report that Al-Hakam gathered some 600,000 volumes in Al-Andalus. To compare this to later collections, the Royal Library of France was said to have only 900 volumes approximately 400 years later (see Muessig & Allen, 1962, p. 152). In that era, some hospitals and clinics even had libraries. Durant (1950, vol. 4, pp. 330-331) mentions that great hospitals would often provide professional storytellers for the sleepless. Thus, knowledge was a gateway to serve the community.

Science

Great volumes of Arabic and Greek scientific research were translated into Latin during the 12th and 13th centuries, which had a great impact upon the European Renaissance. Another example of the influence of Islamic learning on the West can be noted in the organized translation into Latin of many Islamic scholarly works in such fields as science and philosophy.

Muslims in the medieval ages refined and applied the experimental methods of science and attitude. They studied mathematics, medicine, chemistry, astronomy, geography, and other academic areas. Working in laboratories was a customary part of their research efforts. Their methods of gathering information in a systematic fashion were quite workable, and have provided a foundation for the systems in use today.

Muslims had established laboratories over one thousand years ago in which they conducted experiments and published their discoveries, without which Lavoisier would not have been able to produce anything in his field. Modern chemistry is sourced in the research and experimentation of Muslim scientists, which is demonstrated in such great scientific discoveries as steam, electricity, telegraphy, telephony, and radio signals (Zahoor & Haq, 1997).

Avicenna in his Canon of Medicine (al-Qanun fi at-tibb)became the most authoritative medical text of the Middle Ages, and was used in European medical schools, passing through numerous editions. Western scholars recognize that this text has been revered as a medical bible for a longer period than any other work (Cobb, 1965 and Myers 1964). It is a systematic encyclopedia based, for the most part, on the achievements of Greek physicians of the Roman imperial age and other Arabic works and, to a lesser extent, on Avicenna' own experiences (his own clinical notes were lost during his journeys). Encyclopaedia Britannica (2000) calls the Canon of Medicine the world's most famous single book in the history of medicine.

Gobb (1963) in his book Islamic Contribution to Civilization, studied Islamic history in depth in an appreciative and cordial manner. About significant contributions made by Muslims he says; "For more than five centuries that civilization not only led the world in science, but was the only portion of mankind actively engaged in the systematic pursuit of knowledge" (p. 5).

Education

Perhaps the most profound and vital contribution of Muslims to educational theory is demonstrated by their advocacy of universal, free education. Islam encourages the education of capable boys and girls of all stations of life, and the acceptance of teachers of different races and persuasions. Long before western Europeans championed the concept of educational opportunities for everyone, the Muslims had implemented this philosophy in a variety of ways. In many respects, Muslims predated Western educational practices by over a millennium. Muslims were the first to structure higher education as we know it, and there is a clear influence on Western scholarship by Islamic institutions. Bait al-Hikma, the first recorded Muslim university, was established early in the 9th century. The Muslims passed on the concept of specialization of universities within a narrow range of subjects, endowed chairs, scholarships for the needy, public financial support, establishment of endowments, auditing of courses, organization of academic disciplines, and student selection of field and advisor. Many Western scholars were included among the students -- men who later became Catholic Popes and church scholars, university professors, authors, scientists, and physicians (Muessig & Allen, 1962).

Children of even the lowest socioeconomic status are entitled to know the romance of learning. There are many examples of desperately poor Islamic students who obtained an education and who subsequently became eminent scholars in their own right, to whom others would come seeking knowledge. Bilal Bin Rabah and Ata' Bin Abi Rabah are clear examples of students taking advantage of these opportunities. Islam lifts its adherents above consciousness of race or color, establishing an effective brotherhood in the name of Allah.

Islam has established a legacy of outstanding moral guidelines, which there is a crying need for in contemporary society. The propagation of Islamic virtues would eliminate the dissension caused by racial discrimination among peoples (Toynbee, 1957, p. 205). God tells us in the Holy Qur'an, "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours. Verily in these are signs for those who know" (30:22)."

See the related link for further information.