Ever wondered who paved the way for the age of algorithms?
It was a 9th-century Muslim genius, mathematician, geographer & astronomer, Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - also known as the Father of Algebra
A thread on the incredible Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi…
1/ Even the term algorithm is Al-Khwarizmi translated into Latin!
The scientist and mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 AD in Persia and Iraq.
2/ Al-Khwarizmi's most significant contribution to mathematics was the development of algebra. His book, "Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), introduced systematic methods for solving linear and quadratic equations.
3/ The term "algebra" is derived from the Arabic word "al-jabr," which appears in the title of al-Khwarizmi's book. It refers to the process of transposing terms from one side of an equation to the other.
4/ The title of his treatise 'al-jabr wa al muqabala', shortened to 'al-jabr', can be translated as 'the science of restoring what is missing and equating like with like'.
5/ Al-Khwarizmi's work on algebra introduced the concept of using letters as symbols to represent unknown quantities, laying the foundation for symbolic algebra.
6/ In addition to algebra, al-Khwarizmi made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and trigonometry.
7/ Al-Khwarizmi's astronomical observations and calculations helped refine the solar calendar and contributed to the development of accurate timekeeping devices.
8/ He compiled detailed astronomical tables, known as the "Zij al-Sindhind," which provided information on the movements of the sun, moon, and planets. These tables were widely used by astronomers in the Islamic world.
9/ Al-Khwarizmi's astronomical tables also influenced European astronomers and played a crucial role in the translation and transmission of scientific knowledge during the Middle Ages.
Medieval Astronomers With Astrolabe
10/ His work on trigonometry included developing methods for calculating the lengths of shadows cast by various objects, which had practical applications in determining the heights of buildings and objects.
11/ Al-Khwarizmi was closely associated with the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah) in Baghdad, an important center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age. The House of Wisdom played a crucial role in preserving & translating ancient Greek, Persian & Indian texts into Arabic.
12/ Al-Khwarizmi's contributions to mathematics and astronomy were instrumental in advancing the scientific knowledge of the Islamic Golden Age, which had a profound impact on the development of mathematics and science in Europe.
13/ His works were translated into Latin during the 12th century, introducing his ideas to European scholars and playing a significant role in the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution.
14/ Al-Khwarizmi's book on algebra also covered practical applications such as inheritance, dividing up land, and calculating proportions in business transactions.
A page from al-Khwarizmi's Algebra
15/ His influence extended beyond mathematics & astronomy. Al-Khwarizmi's works on geography, particularly his "Kitab Surat al-Ard" (The Image of the Earth), included maps & descriptions of various regions, which were highly influential in the field
The Course of the River Nile
16/ Al-Khwarizmi's name became synonymous with the term "algorithm," which is derived from the Latinized version of his name, "Algoritmi." This reflects his foundational contributions to the development of algorithms in mathematics and computer science.
17/ The term "algorithm" as used in computer science refers to a well-defined set of instructions or a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or completing a task.
18/ Al-Khwarizmi's approach to solving equations and mathematical problems laid the groundwork for modern algorithmic thinking, making him a crucial figure in the development of algorithms.
19/ Today, al-Khwarizmi is widely recognized as one of the greatest mathematicians and astronomers of the Islamic Golden Age. His pioneering work in algebra and astronomy laid the groundwork for future mathematical and scientific advancements.
20/ Discover more about Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - a pioneer of Algorithms, Algebra & Astronomy: baytalfann.com/post/algorithm…
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Ismail al-Jazari, a Muslim inventor from the 12th century is known as the "father of robotics" due to his groundbreaking work in the field of automata, which are self-operating machines.
A thread on Ismail al-Jazari, engineering & robotics…
1/ While robotics is considered a relatively new field of science, with the public’s consensus that it is the creation of 20th-century scientists, it would be surprising to know that the field has its roots in the medieval era nearly a millennium ago, with Ismail Al Jazari
2/ Ismail Al Jazari gained fame for his extraordinary inventions, encompassing a wide spectrum of marvels. His repertoire included robots programmed to provide guests with towels, programmable on-off switches for fountains, automated mechanical clocks & much more!
A Candle Clock from a copy of al-Jazaris treatise on automata
Mahmoud Darwish (1941–2008) was a renowned Palestinian poet whose words have left an indelible mark on Arabic literature.
The beauty of his poetry lies in its rich language, blending personal and collective histories with poignant reflections on love, loss, and the quest for belonging. His legacy continues to inspire readers with its profound humanity and lyrical grace.
A thread on 10 beautiful quotes from Mahmoud Darwish…
Drinking coffee as a beverage is said to have originated in Yemen in the 15th century in Sufi Shrines. It was there that coffee berries were first roasted & brewed in a way similar to how the drink is prepared today
For #InternationalCoffeeDay a thread on coffee & Muslim culture
1/ Coffee was originally consumed in the Islamic world and was directly related to religious practices. For example, coffee helped its consumers fast in the day and stay awake at night, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan #InternationalCoffeeDay
2/ Known in the Muslim world at least for its medicinal properties from the early 10th century, coffee drinking became widespread through Yemeni Sufi orders in the 15th century, spreading from there to the rest of the Muslim world, and then to Europe #InternationalCoffeeDay
The very foundation of Islam is literacy - to read & seek knowledge. The first word of the Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was “Iqra” which means Read.
To celebrate International Literacy Day, here are beautiful Qur’anic manuscripts in museums across the world…
1/ ‘Read: In the name of thy Lord who created. Created man from a leech like clot. Read: And your Lord is the Most Bountiful. He taught by the pen. He taught man which he knew not’ (Al-`Alaq 96:1-5)
Folio, Manuscript of the Qur'an
Iran, 1550-1575
@LACMA #InternationalLiteracyDay
@LACMA 2/ In Islam, the duty of seeking knowledge & learning is obligatory for every Muslim. Islam affirms the right to education for all, without discrimination.
Qur’an leaf in Muhaqqaq script
Mamluk period, c. A.H. 728 / A.D. 1327
Egypt
In 1807, Omar ibn Said, a Muslim scholar, was stolen from Senegal & sold into slavery in America. He left behind an autobiography written in Arabic.
To mark the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade & its Abolition, a thread on the remarkable story of Omar…
1/ Written in Arabic and recently acquired by the @librarycongress, "The Life of Omar Ibn Said” is not only a rare handwritten personal story of an American slave, but it's also one of the first intimate accounts of the early history of Muslims in the United States.
@librarycongress 2/ Omar wrote his brief autobiography, 190 years ago, & it spent much of the last century forgotten in an old trunk in Virginia. When he wrote it, Omar was 61 and more than two decades into a long enslavement in America, first in Charleston and then North Carolina