Islamic Scientists Expert in the Nature of Light
Abu Ali Muhammad al-Hassan ibn al-Haitham or Ibn Haitam / Alhazen (Basra, 965 – Cairo 1039). Ibn Haitam was a Muslim illuminati expert in the field of light properties. Known in clever circles in the West, alhazen, was an Islamic scientist who was an expert in science, falak, mathematics, geometry, medicine, and philosophy.
He also did a lot of research about light and related to it. He has inspired western scientists such as Boger, Bacon, and Kepler to create microscopes and telescopes. Other fields: Physics, Optics, Mathematics.
Among Western scholars, Haitam is known as Alhazen. Ibn Haitsam was born in Basra in 354H or 965 AD. He began his early education in Basra before being appointed a government employee at his birth.
After some time in government work, Haitam go to Ahwaz and Egypt on the way to Ahwaz, Haitham produced some remarkable writings.
His love for science brought him to Egypt. During his time in Egypt Haitham conducted several investigations on the flow of the Nile and copied books on mathematics and falak. The goal is to get spare money on the way to Al-Azhar University.
Work and Research (Ibn Haitam)
1) Ibn Haitam is a scientist who likes to do research. His research on light has inspired western scientists such as Boger, Bacon, and Kepler to create microscopes and telescopes.
He was the first to write and discover important data about light. Several books on light that he wrote have been translated into English, including Light and On Twilight Phenomena.
2) His studies discussed a lot about dusk and halos around the moon and sun as well as shadows and eclipses. According to Ibn Haitam, the light of dawn begins when the sun is at the 19-degree line on the eastern horizon.
3) The red color at dusk will also disappear when the sun is at the 19-degree western horizon. In his studies, he has also succeeded in producing light positions such as light bias and light reversal. Ibn Haitam also conducted experiments on the burned glass, and from there was found the theory of magnifying lenses.
The theory has been used by scientists in Italy to produce the world’s first magnifying glass. What is even more amazing is that Ibn Haitsam had discovered the principle of the solid content of air before a scientist named Trricella who knew about it 500 years later.
4) Ibn Haitsam had also discovered the existence of gravitational attraction before Issaac Newton knew it. In addition, Ibn Haitam’s theory of the human soul as a series of continuous feelings has regularly inspired western scientists to produce puppet images.
His theory led to the discovery of the film which was later spliced up and played to the audience as we can see today.
Philosophy of Ibn Haitam
Besides science, Ibn Haitsam also wrote a lot about philosophy, logic, metaphysics, and religious-related questions. It also writes reviews and summaries of previous scholars’ works.
His philosophical writing focused heavily on the aspects of truth in disputed issues. There are disputes and disputes about a matter stemming from the approach used in recognizing it.
He also argued that the truth was just one. Therefore, all allegations of truth should be doubted in evaluating all existing views. So his views on philosophy are interesting to highlight.
For Ibn Haitam, philosophy cannot be separated from mathematics, science, and divinity. These three fields and branches of science must be mastered and in order to master them one needs to make full use of his youth. As age increases, physical and mental strength will also decline.
Ibn Haitam proved that he was passionate about seeking and studying science at a young age, so he managed to write many books and papers.
Among his books:
– Al-Jami’ fi Ushulul Hisab which contains the theories of methetic science and metametical ananalysis;
– At-Tahlil wat Takrib on the science of geometry;
– Tahlilul Masa’ilul Adadiyah’s Book of algebra;
– Maqalah fi Istikhraj Simatul Qiblah who explores the direction of qibla for the whole region;
– Maqalah fima Tad’u llaih regarding the use of geometry in the affairs of sharak and
– Risaalah fi Sina’atusy Shi’r on poetry writing techniques.
Ibn Haitam’s contributions to science and philosophy were numerous. That’s why Ibn Haitam was known as a man who was materially poor but rich in science. Some of his views and opinions are still relevant to this day.