Encyclopedia of Islam

science

  

609  J

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times), astronomy held a prominent place on the 

scientific scene. Rulers sponsored the construc-

tion of observatories and large observation instru-

ments and employed scientists such as al-Battani 

(d. 929), al-Khayyam (d. 1123), and al-Tusi (d. 

1274) to construct astronomical tables and keep 

time. In medicine and pharmaceutics the Qanun of 

i

bn

 s

ina

 (Avicenna, d. 1037) continued to serve as 

a major reference until the 18th century. All across 

the empire, public hospitals were constructed to 

cure the ill and train new doctors. In 

mathematics

al-Khawarizmi inaugurated a new science, algebra. 

In optics Ibn al-Haytham (d. 1039) was the first to 

use the experimental method in science. Trying to 

transform cheap metals into gold, Arabo-Islamic 

alchemists such as Jabir ibn Hayyan discovered 

new substances and devised ways for making 

them. Scientific teaching was mainly dispensed 

from private homes and hospitals where teachers 

would certify that a student “read” (studied) this 

or that major book with him.

See also 

alchemy

.

A. Nazir Atassi