How Did the Spread of Islam Affect the Development of Science?

Islam instructs man to use his
powers of intelligence and observation.
Within a few years of the
spread of Islam, great civilizations
and universities were flourishing.
The synthesis of Eastern and Western
ideas, and of new thought
with old, brought about
great advances in medicine,
mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography,
architecture, art, literature,
and history.
Many crucial systems,
such as algebra, the Arabic
numerals, and the concept
of zero (vital to the advancement of

The astrolabe:
One of the most
important scientific
instruments
developed by
Muslims which
was also used
widely in the West
until modern
times.

Muslim physicians paid much attention to surgery and developed many surgical
instruments as seen in this old manuscript.

mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from the Muslim
world. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible
the European voyages of discovery, such as the astrolabe, the
quadrant, and good navigational maps, were also developed by
Muslims.