Islamic Civilizations from the Lense of Advanced Scientific Legacies: Insights from Kitab Tabaqat al-Umam

Abstract

The manuscript Kitab Tabaqat al-Umam serves as a crucial reference due to Sa‘id al-Andalusi’s writings on the conceptualization of science from both historical and philosophical perspectives, thereby providing a profound understanding of the term al-‘ulum. The scientific advancements chronicled in this manuscript significantly contributed to the progress of civilizations in India, Persia, Chaldea, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Arabia, Andalusia, and Israel from the medieval period to the 10th century. This study investigates the early historical development of the nations documented in Kitab Tabaqat al-Umam, with the aim of identifying the initial stages of scientific knowledge development that played vital roles within these societies. Additionally, this research aims to propose strategies for the mastery of scientific knowledge through an in-depth epistemological analysis, focusing on the significance, functions, and contributions of science within these civilizations. The findings indicate that intellectuals in many advanced civilizations regarded science as a form of knowledge essential for nation-building and societal advancement. The study corroborates the view that Andalusia experienced a rapid development of science, establishing itself as a center of scientific knowledge for nearly 800 years in the European region. This is evidenced by the high literacy rates among its population, in stark contrast to the underdeveloped and largely illiterate populations in other parts of Europe during the same period.