Islamic Golden Age. Causes[edit] With a new, easier writing system and the introduction of paper, information was democratized to the extent that, probably for the first time in history, it became possible to make a living from simply writing and selling books.[4] The use of paper spread from China into Muslim regions in the eighth century CE, arriving in Spain (and then the rest of Europe) in the 10th century CE. It was easier to manufacture than parchment, less likely to crack than papyrus, and could absorb ink, making it difficult to erase and ideal for keeping records. Islamic paper makers devised assembly-line methods of hand-copying manuscripts to turn out editions far larger than any available in Europe for centuries.[5] It was from these countries that the rest of the world learned to make paper from linen.[6] Philosophy[edit] Ibn Rushd and Ibn Sina played a major role in saving the works of Aristotle, whose ideas came to dominate the non-religious thought of the Christian and Muslim worlds.
Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasid Caliphate (Arabic: الخلافة العباسية / ALA-LC: al-Khilāfah al-‘Abbāsīyyah), was the third of the Islamic caliphates to succeed the Prophet Muhammad. The Abbasid dynasty descended from the Prophet's youngest uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (566–653 CE). They ruled as caliphs from their capital in Baghdad, in modern Iraq, after taking over authority of the Muslim empire from the Umayyads in 750 CE (132 AH).
The Abbasid caliphate first centered their government in Kufa, but in 762 the caliph Al-Mansur founded the city of Baghdad, north of the Persian capital city of Ctesiphon. The choice of a capital so close to Persia proper reflects a growing reliance on Persian bureaucrats, most notably of the Barmakid family, to govern the territories conquered by Arab Muslims, as well as an increasing inclusion of non-Arab Muslims in the ummah. Rise[edit] Coin of the Abbasids, Baghdad, Iraq, 765. Power[edit] These fissures in their support led to immediate problems. Islamic Golden Age[edit] The Great Caliphs: The Golden Age of the 'Abbasid Empire - Amira K. Bennison. Harun al-Rashid. Harun al-Rashid ( Arabic : هارون الرشيد }; Hārūn ar-Rashīd ; English: Aaron the Upright, Aaron the Just , or Aaron the Rightly Guided ) (17 March 763 or February 766 – 24 March 809) was the fifth Arab Abbasid Caliph .
His rule encompassed modern Iraq . His actual birth date is debated, and various sources give dates from 763 to 766. He ruled from 786 to 809, and his time was marked by scientific , cultural and religious prosperity. Art and music also flourished significantly during his reign. He established the legendary library Bayt al-Hikma ("House of Wisdom"). [ 1 ] Since Harun was intellectually, politically and militarily resourceful, his life and the court over which he held sway have been the subject of many tales: some are claimed to be factual but most are believed to be fictitious. An example of what is claimed to be known to be factual, but is not, is the story of the clock that was among various presents that Harun had sent to Charlemagne .
His Life [ edit ] O. Waqifite Shia. Siege of Baghdad (1258) Hulagu had begun his campaign in Iran with several offensives against Nizari groups, including the Assassins, whose stronghold of Alamut his forces seized. He then marched on Baghdad, demanding that Al-Musta'sim accede to the terms imposed by Möngke on the Abbasids. Although the Abbasids had failed to prepare for the invasion, the Caliph believed that Baghdad could not fall to invading forces and refused to surrender. Hulagu subsequently besieged the city, which surrendered after 12 days.
During the next week, the Mongols sacked Baghdad, committing numerous atrocities and destroying the Abbasids' vast libraries, including the House of Wisdom. Baghdad had for centuries been the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, the third caliphate whose rulers were descendants of Abbas, an uncle of Muhammad.
In 1257, Möngke resolved to establish firm authority over Mesopotamia, Syria, and Iran. Persian painting (14th century) of Hülegü's army besieging a city. White Banners: Contention in 'Abbasid Syria, 750-880 - Paul M. Cobb. Science in the medieval Islamic world. Science in the medieval Islamic world (also known, less accurately, as Islamic science or Arabic science) is the science developed and practised in the Islamic world during the Islamic Golden Age(c. 750 CE – c. 1258 CE).
During this time, Indian, Asyriac, Iranian and Greek knowledge was translated into Arabic. These translations became a wellspring for scientific advances, by scientists from the Islamic civilization, during the Middle Ages.[1] Scientists within the Islamic civilization were of diverse ethnicities. Most were Persians,[2][3][4][5] Arabs,[4] Moors, Assyrians, and Egyptians. Science in the context of Islamic civilization[edit] The term Islam refers either to the religion of Islam or to the Islamic civilization that formed around it.[13] Islamic civilization is composed of many faiths and cultures, although the proportion of Muslims among its population has increased over time.[14] The religion of Islam was founded during the lifetime of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
House of Wisdom. This article is about the medieval Abbasid Library, Baghdad. For the ancient Fatimid university see Dar al-Hikmah. Scholars at an Abbasid library. Maqamat of al-Hariri Illustration by Yahyá al-Wasiti, Baghdad 1237 The House of Wisdom (Arabic: بيت الحكمة; Bayt al-Hikma) was a library, translation institute and academy established in Abbasid-era Baghdad, Iraq.[1] It is considered to have been a major intellectual hub during the Islamic Golden Age.
The House of Wisdom was founded by Caliph Harun al-Rashid (reigned 786 - 809) and culminated under his son al-Ma'mun (reigned 813 - 833) who is credited with its formal institution. Al-Ma'mun is also credited with bringing many well-known scholars to share information, ideas and culture in the House of Wisdom. History[edit] Foundation and origins[edit] The earliest scientific manuscripts originated in the Abbasid Era. In the Abbasid Empire, many foreign works were translated into Arabic from Greek, Chinese, Sanskrit, Persian and Syriac.