Lecture 1

Impact of islamic civilization on

modern civilization

Pre-islamic Era

1. Tribalism

The Pre-Islamic Arabs were organized into tribes, which

often fought each other for power and resources. (Ibn
Khaldun's "The Muqaddimah", Quran 49:10)

1. Injustice and Oppression

The Pre-Islamic Arabs practiced a system of injustice and

oppression, where the strong exploited the weak. (Quran
4:148, Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Female Infanticide

The Pre-Islamic Arabs practiced female infanticide, where

baby girls were buried alive or abandoned. (Quran 81:8-9,
Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Slavery

The Pre-Islamic Arabs practiced slavery, where people were

captured and forced into servitude. (Quran 90:13, Ibn
Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Corruption and Debauchery

The Pre-Islamic Arabs were known for their corruption and

debauchery, including excessive drinking, gambling, and
 promiscuity. (Quran 5:90, Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Lack of Education and Knowledge

The Pre-Islamic Arabs had limited access to education and

knowledge, which hindered their social and economic
development. (Ibn Khaldun's "The Muqaddimah")

1. Economic Inequality

The Pre-Islamic Arabs had significant economic inequality,

where the wealthy elite controlled most of the resources and
power. (Quran 104:1-9, Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Violence and Blood Feuds

The Pre-Islamic Arabs were known for their violence and

blood feuds, which often led to cycles of revenge and
retaliation. (Quran 49:10, Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

1. Moral Decay

The Pre-Islamic Arabs experienced moral decay, where

traditional values and norms were eroded. (Quran 7:172, Ibn
Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah")

References:

Quran (translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali or Muhammad

Asad)
Ibn Hisham's "Sirat Rasul Allah" (translated by Alfred
Guillaume)
Ibn Khaldun's "The Muqaddimah" (translated by Franz
Rosenthal)

Roman Civilization

Slavery: Romans had a vast number of slaves, who were

treated cruelly and were denied basic human rights.
(Tacitus, "The Annals", Book 14, Chapter 42)
Gladiatorial Games: Romans enjoyed watching gladiators
fight each other to death, which was a brutal and inhumane
 practice. (Suetonius, "The Twelve Caesars", Augustus,
Chapter 43)
Imperialism: Romans expanded their empire through
conquest and subjugation of other nations, often using
brutal force. (Caesar, "The Gallic Wars", Book 1, Chapter 1)

Persian Civilization

Slavery: Persians had a large number of slaves, who were

treated harshly and were denied basic human rights.
(Herodotus, "The Histories", Book 1, Chapter 135)
Imperialism: Persians expanded their empire through
conquest and subjugation of other nations, often using
brutal force. (Herodotus, "The Histories", Book 1, Chapter 1)
Cruel Punishments: Persians practiced cruel punishments,
such as impaling and crucifixion. (Herodotus, "The
Histories", Book 1, Chapter 128)

Egyptian Civilization

Slavery: Egyptians had a large number of slaves, who were

treated harshly and were denied basic human rights.
(Diodorus Siculus, "Bibliotheca Historica", Book 1, Chapter
56)
Human Sacrifice: Egyptians practiced human sacrifice, often
burying servants and slaves alive with their deceased
masters. (Herodotus, "The Histories", Book 2, Chapter 121)
Caste System: Egyptians had a strict caste system, which
denied social mobility and perpetuated inequality. (Diodorus
Siculus, "Bibliotheca Historica", Book 1, Chapter 56)

Greek Civilization

Slavery: Greeks had a large number of slaves, who were

treated harshly and were denied basic human rights.
(Aristotle, "Politics", Book 1, Chapter 2)
Patriarchy: Greeks had a patriarchal society, which denied
women basic rights and freedoms. (Aristotle, "Politics", Book
1, Chapter 5)
Imperialism: Greeks expanded their empire through
conquest and subjugation of other nations, often using
brutal force. (Thucydides, "The History of the Peloponnesian
War", Book 1, Chapter 1)
Ancient Indian Civilization

Caste System: Ancient Indians had a strict caste system,

which denied social mobility and perpetuated inequality.
(Manu Smriti, Chapter 2, Verse 148)
Untouchability: Ancient Indians practiced untouchability,
which denied basic human rights to certain groups. (Manu
Smriti, Chapter 5, Verse 131)
Patriarchy: Ancient Indians had a patriarchal society, which
denied women basic rights and freedoms. (Manu Smriti,
Chapter 5, Verse 148)

Prophet's Era (610-632 CE)

The Prophet Muhammad's era marked the beginning of Islamic

civilization. The Prophet's teachings emphasized the importance of
knowledge, justice, and compassion, laying the foundation for a
civilized and enlightened society.

Rashidun Caliphate (632-661 CE)

The Rashidun Caliphate, which followed the Prophet's era, saw the
expansion of Islamic civilization through conquests and the
establishment of a just and equitable society. The caliphs
implemented a system of governance based on Islamic principles,
ensuring the welfare and security of citizens.

Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th century CE)

The Islamic Golden Age was a period of unprecedented cultural,

scientific, and philosophical achievement. Muslim scholars made
significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics,
astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, laying the foundations for
modern civilization.

1. Preservation and Translation of Classical Knowledge

Muslim scholars played a crucial role in preserving and
 translating classical knowledge from ancient Greece, Rome,
and Persia. Two notable translators were:

Al-Kindi (801-873 CE): Known as the "Father of Islamic

Philosophy," Al-Kindi translated many Greek philosophical
works into Arabic.
Hunayn ibn Ishaq (809-873 CE): A renowned translator and
physician, Hunayn ibn Ishaq translated many Greek medical
and philosophical works into Arabic.

1. Translation of Islamic Knowledge by Europeans During

the Middle Ages, European scholars traveled to Islamic
centers of learning to acquire knowledge. Two notable
translators were:

Gerard of Cremona (1114-1187 CE): An Italian

mathematician and translator, Gerard of Cremona
translated many Arabic mathematical and scientific works
into Latin.
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 CE): A Dominican friar and
scholar, Thomas Aquinas was influenced by Islamic
philosophy and incorporated many Islamic concepts into his
own philosophical works.

1. Medical Science Islamic

civilization made significant contributions to medical
science, including:

Ibn Sina's (980-1037 CE) "The Canon of Medicine," a

comprehensive medical encyclopedia that remained a
standard textbook in Europe for centuries.
Ibn Rushd's (1126-1198 CE) commentaries on Galen's
medical works, which helped to spread Greek medical
knowledge throughout the Islamic world.

1. Philosophy Islamic civilization played a significant role in

the development of philosophy, particularly in the areas of:

Islamic theology (kalam): Muslim scholars developed

complex theological systems to understand the nature of
God and the universe.
 Islamic philosophy (falsafa): Muslim philosophers, such as
Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd, incorporated Greek philosophical
concepts into their own philosophical systems.

1. Socio-Political System Islamic civilization developed a

unique socio-political system based on:

The concept of ummah (community): Muslims were united

as a single community, transcending tribal and ethnic
divisions.
The institution of shura (consultation): Muslim leaders were
advised to consult with their citizens and scholars to ensure
just and equitable governance.

1. Global Connectivity Islamic civilization facilitated global

connectivity through:

Trade networks: Muslim merchants established extensive

trade networks across the Middle East, North Africa, and
Asia.
Cultural exchange: Islamic civilization facilitated the
exchange of ideas, cultures, and technologies between
different civilizations.

1. Political Impact Islamic civilization had a significant

impact on modern politics, including:

The concept of sovereignty: Islamic civilization developed

the concept of sovereignty, which was later adopted by
European nation-states.
The institution of the caliphate: The caliphate system, which
combined spiritual and temporal authority, influenced the
development of modern political systems.

1. Economic Impact Islamic civilization had a significant

impact on modern economics, including:

The development of capitalism: Islamic civilization

facilitated the emergence of capitalism through the
establishment of trade networks and the development of
financial instruments.
The concept of riba (interest): Islamic civilization prohibited
the collection of interest, leading to the development of
alternative financial systems.
Conclusion In conclusion,
Islamic civilization has had a profound impact on modern
civilization, contributing significantly to the development of
various fields, including science, philosophy, medicine, and
politics. The Islamic Golden Age, in particular, was a period
of unprecedented cultural and scientific achievement, which
laid the foundations for modern civilization.