Mathematical Science – Contributions of Islamic Scholars to the Scientific Enterprise by Yasmeen Mahnaz Faruqi Published on: 2nd September 2025

Mathematical Science – Contributions of Islamic Scholars to the Scientific Enterprise by Yasmeen Mahnaz Faruqi Published on: 2nd September 2025 The mathematical sciences of the Islamic world flourished between the 8th and 13th centuries, building on Greek, Indian, Babylonian, and Persian traditions while introducing groundbreaking innovations of their own. Muslim scholars refined arithmetic with the adoption of Hindu numerals and the invention of zero (sifr), which revolutionized calculation and spread to Europe through Al-Andalus (Parts of Spain, Italy and Portogul). Thinkers like al-Khwarizmi, the “father of algebra,” laid the foundations of modern algebra, while Umar Khayyam advanced the study of cubic equations, and al-Battani developed trigonometry with lasting influence on astronomy and navigation. The great polymath Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) transformed optics, geometry, and experimental science, his work later inspiring European scholars such as Kepler and Bacon. By integrating algebra with geometry, introducing new number theories, and pioneering mathematical modeling, Islamic mathematicians not only preserved ancient knowledge but also pushed it far beyond its origins, shaping the course of mathematics, science, and exploration in both the Islamic world and Renaissance Europe. https://muslimheritage.com/mathematical-science/