Analysis Of The Muslim Scientists and Thinkers Muhammad Ibn al Idrisi
Write a report about
Arab scientists and scholars (Al-
Idrisi)
The report should contain 1000 words and include cover page, introduction,
body, Conclusion and references.
Solution
Introduction
A Muslim scientist for years has made great contributions and thus was believed to have
reached their zenith particularly in the Golden Age of Islam (ca. 8-13thcc). Studies have shown
that during this time, the Islamic world was known for many scientific breakthroughs and
inventions. Further research has shown that majority of the scientific breakthroughs that were
invented by Muslims were widespread across India, Asia, Persia and even Arab lands (Masood,
2009, p. 126). It is evident that majority of the scientist who made the major contribution in this
field of the scientific breakthrough are known up to date as a result of major contributions that
they made such as Muhammad Ibn al-Idrisi this essay will, therefore, focus on Arab scientist and
scholar by focusing specifically on Al-Idris.
Muslim Scientists and Thinkers–Muhammad Ibn al-Idrisi
According to Muslim Geographer: Al-Idrisi, (2007), Muhammad Ibn al-Idrisi was born
in 1099 and raised in Andalusian city, Ceuta. Al-Idrisi was one o the descendants of the ruler of
Morocco, Idris, a direct descendant of Hazrat Hasan, who was Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
Al-Idrisi schooled in Cordoba and traveled in various parts of the world in search of vital
geographical information and data in addition to other plant samples. He was thus successful in
gathering enough information and measurements concerning the earth’s surface to be used in the
completion of the world map. Studies have shown that al-Idrisi fame and competence became
widespread that he was later invited by King Roger II of Sicily to develop an up to date world
map. He worked in the Norman King’s court until the time he died in 1166 CE.
MUSLIM SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS–MUHAMMAD IBN AL-IDRISI 3
Mohammad Al-Idrisi was considered one of the skilled and competent geographers,
traveled, a botanist in addition to a cartographer during his period. For instance, he is famous in
the west where he is known as a competent geographer as a result of his innovation of a globe
made of the silver sphere for the king of Sicily. During his time that he served King Roger of
Sicily, he came up with three successful contributions related to the work of geography. First
was the silver planisphere that he developed depicting the world map, secondly, a world map that
developed containing about 70 sections that divided the earth particularly on the north of the
equator into approximately 7 equal climatic zones that were further segmented into 10 parts.
Third was the geographic text that was specifically meant to be a key to understanding the
planisphere (Iqbāl, 2007, p. 13).
Further studies and literature have shown major contributions that were made by Al-Idrisi
to the field of geography. He was successful in the development of a geographical encyclopedia
that he called Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq Al-Afaq, This book was full of vital information on
various European, Asia and Africa countries and detailed maps. It is believed that he was
successful in completing his book in one of the unique ways ever and was competent in
undertaking personal traveling and scholarship. In order to make his work much easier, he
employed some of the most intelligent men and then dispatched them to various distant lands
together with several draftsmen and the information gathered was inserted in his treatise. The
men chosen were skilled in drawing, data collection and analytically competent to aid in the
collection of information from various corners of the world to superficially record what they
would see on their way.
He therefore combined both the data from the field and other information was derived
from several ancient Greek and Arabic geographers. It is believed that it took him approximately
MUSLIM SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS–MUHAMMAD IBN AL-IDRISI 4
15 years t be successful in completing his book. This is currently known throughout the globe as
interesting monument of Arabian geography. Research has shown that al-Idrisi dictionary is one
of the most detailed and voluminous work is the field of geography that has ever been written in
the 21st century.
Studies have shown that al-Idrisi further compiled his most comprehensive encyclopedia
and named it Rawd-Unnas wa-Nuzhat al-Nafsâ. He was actually preferred as a result of his
remarkable work that was characterized by the high level of accuracy. It is stated that for three
centuries, most of the information and data in al-Idrisi encyclopedia was directly copied without
any form of alteration because it was believed to be the most accurate information and data ever
to be gathered. When compared to the modern map, research has shown that the difference
between them is insignificant.
He is known for his silver global map that weighed approximately 400 kilograms and on
it, it was indicated the seven continents of the world with numerous trade routes, mountains,
lakes, plains and even rivers and cities. Therefore, it is clear that this can be said to be a colossal
geography work during the Middle Ages and entailed accurate map of three major continents of
Africa, Asia, and Europe (Muslim Scientists and Thinkers, 20090. The notion that the world is
around the globe was known to al-Idrisi and further went ahead to calculate the exact
circumference of the earth coming up with a measurement of about 22, 900 miles.
Another book was also written by Al-Idrisi and focused on various attempts he made to
combine what can be viewed as an astronomical and descriptive geography. This was also a great
monument in the history. In addition to this, he also developed a world map on a disk that was
about 80 inch and further weighed about 300 pounds made of silver.
MUSLIM SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS–MUHAMMAD IBN AL-IDRISI 5
Al-Idrisi is not only known for his major contributions he made in the field of geography,
but there were also key contributions that he made on a medicinal plant. In these books such as
Kitab al-Jami-li-Sifat Ashtar al-Nabatat, Al-Idrisi focused on medicinal plants. He actually found
out that very little information was available related to the field of medicinal plant, particularly in
the ancient Greek works (Legacy of Islam, 2016). He thus gathered numerous medicinal plants
were gathered during his trips and traveling. His contribution is so immense because he
introduced new medicinal plants and their evaluation together with their names in various
languages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident from the analysis above that al-Idrisi contributed immensely in
both the field of geography and botany. Al-Idrisi achievements specifically focus on his book, a
world geography that he wrote for King of Sicily, Roger II, which was considered to have
marked the end of the classical age of what was termed as Arab geography. The two contribution
made related to the science of innovation has continued to play a key role in the modern society.
He is actually one of the greatest scientists who majored in cartography and geography. Further,
studies have shown that al-Idrisi books were later on translated into a Latino language hence
used globally as one of the standard books in the field of geography for many years through the
East and the West.
MUSLIM SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS–MUHAMMAD IBN AL-IDRISI 6
References
Legacy of Islam – Muslim Heroes, Scientists, Poets and Philosophers Glimpses of Renowned
Scientists and Thinkers of Muslim Era by H M Said – The Ismaili Web. (2016). Amaana.org.
Retrieved 16 March 2016, from http://www.amaana.org/ISWEB/contents.htm
Iqbāl, M. (2007). Science and Islam. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Masood, E. (2009). Science and Islam. A History.
Muslim Scientists and Thinkers-Muhammad Ibn al-Idrisi – The Muslim Observer. (2009). The
Muslim Observer. Retrieved 16 March 2016, from http://muslimobserver.com/muslim-
scientists-and-thinkers-muhammad-ibn-al-idrisi/
Muslim Geographer: Al-Idrisi. (2007). Knowing the Truth: Gateway to Knowledge. Retrieved 16
March 2016, from https://knowingthetruth.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/muslim-geographer-
al-idrisi/
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