Utilization of Non-Muslim Mechanical Sciences (ʿIlm al-Ḥiyal) by Muslims as a Foundation for Civilizational Achievements

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy

Abstract

The science of ḥiyal (mechanics) is among the fields in which Muslims made advancements during the early centuries of the Islamic era. Part of their achievements in this science was due to their attention to the civilizational knowledge of non-Muslims. This article seeks to answer the following question: To what extent did Muslims benefit from the achievements of past civilizations in the field of ḥiyal (mechanics), and how did this influence the growth and development of this science within Islamic civilization? A descriptive-analytical approach reveals that, due to their policies of tolerance, Muslims from the early Islamic centuries benefited from the civilizational knowledge of others—particularly that of the Iranians and Romans—and became acquainted with their advancements. The foundation of this tolerant approach was rooted in Islamic teachings, which encouraged the use of the sciences and industries of non-Muslims. Subsequently, Muslims achieved significant progress in this science, which contributed to the growth and enrichment of Islamic civilization. In some cases, they even challenged the perspectives of non-Muslim scholars in this field and managed to invent various mechanical devices such as different types of water wheels, balances, clocks, windmills, and more.
 

Keywords

Al- tārīkh wa al- ḥaz̤ārah al- Islāmiyyah ru̓yat al- mu̒āṣirah.
Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 9
February 2025
Pages 38-70

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 13 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 05 October 2024

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