Islam Contributions to the World

Last Saturday (04.02.2017), we had MT’s activity led by sister Huma. The theme was about how Islam has contributed to the world today.

The activity started by a little bit heavy question by brother Oki about field that gives biggest contribution to the world (in Islam perspectives). So, here some answers from the members!

1. Sister Tika thought that politics takes a very important part in our life. It defines our leaders and leaders direct our lives. She gave the example of how the mayor of Bandung is changing Bandung into a different city and different society with all of his decisions (better city governance, a call for praying Shubuh in the masjid, etc).

1. Sister Huma gave another opinion. She told us that one of the most important aspect that allow Islam to contribute to the world is science and technology. We had so many inventors that opened the gate to the very high technology we have today.

1. Brother Fahrul thought that education is the main part that gives contribution to the world. We know politics, sciences, technologies and other things through education.

Islamic golden age was started in the 15th to 19th century, where we had so many inventors that gave so many important contributions to our world today. But, our facilitator, sister Huma said that one of the reason why it is called as “Islamic Golden Age” is because the people at that time were all wealthy. It was so hard to find people who can accept the zakah.

So, to know more about how people in Islamic Golden Age has contributed to our world today, Sister Huma gave us task to search in google about inventors in some fields that and their invention.

We talked about Astronomy, Health, Architecture, and Culture.

So now, let’s talk about Astronomy!

Moon and sun are of the vital importance in the daily life of every moslems. Why? Because moon determines the beginning and the end of Islamic Calender. We also need sun to determine the times for praying and fasting. Besides, astronomy also helps muslims to determine the Kiblah direction, to face the Ka’bah in Mecca during prayer.

Qur’an also has resources to astronomy: (21:33) “And it is He who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon, all (heavenly bodies) in an orbit are swimming”.

The first major muslim of astronomy was Al-Khawarizmi in 830 who found tables for the movement of the sun, the moon and the 5 planets known at that time.

Muslim astronomers were the first to establish observatories in Persia (by Hulagu, the son of Genghis Khan). They invented the instruments such as the quadrant and astrolabe, which led to the knowledge not only in astronomy but also in oceanic navigation, contributing to European age of exploration.

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