Was Islam historically a force for good?

TL;DR Islam has historically been a force for immense good, contributing significantly to the advancement of human civilization. From groundbreaking developments in medicine, mathematics, and astronomy to the fostering of religious tolerance and civic leadership, the Islamic world from the 8th to 17th centuries left an indelible mark on the world. While often overlooked, the legacy of this remarkable civilization continues to shape our modern world in profound ways. Introduction The history of human civilization is marked by the rise and fall of great empires, each leaving an indelible imprint on the course of human progress. One such civilization that stands tall in the annals of history is the Islamic world, which from the 8th to 17th centuries, flourished as a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and cultural exchange. In this comprehensive examination, we will delve into the remarkable contributions of this civilization and explore how its enduring influence continues to shape our modern world. The Islamic civilization, which spanned a vast geographical expanse from the Iberian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent, boasted a remarkably diverse population united by the shared faith of Islam. This rich cultural tapestry provided the foundation for a Golden Age of intellectual and scientific advancement, ushering in groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that would lay the groundwork for modern-day achievements. Was Islam Historically a Force for Good? The evidence clearly points to Islam being a formidable force for good throughout its historical dominance. Here are some of the key ways in which the Islamic civilization made an indelible impact on the world: Medical Advancements: The Islamic world was a pioneer in the field of medicine, with hospitals and medical institutions that provided comprehensive, compassionate care to all, regardless of their social status or ability to pay. The contributions of Islamic scholars, such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna), in the field of anatomy, pharmacology, and disease treatment laid the foundation for modern-day medical practices. Mathematical Innovations: The Islamic world made significant strides in the field of mathematics, with the development of algebra, algorithms, and the concept of the decimal system. These advancements not only facilitated the advancement of scientific knowledge but also paved the way for the technological revolution that would follow. Astronomical Advancements: Islamic astronomers made groundbreaking observations and contributions to the field, including the naming of stars and the development of navigational tools that would enable global exploration and the expansion of trade networks. Fostering of Religious Tolerance and Civic Leadership: The Islamic civilization was known for its commitment to religious tolerance, with various faiths coexisting under its rule. This spirit of acceptance and pluralism set the stage for the development of sophisticated systems of governance and civic leadership that would influence the Western world. Cultural Preservation and Dissemination: During a time when other civilizations were threatened by the loss of knowledge, the Islamic world played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the intellectual and cultural achievements of past civilizations, ensuring their enduring legacy. These two concise examples by non-Muslims illustrate pretty well that Islam was a force for good: "The hospital shall keep all patients, men and women, until they are completely recovered. All costs are to be borne by the hospital whether the people come from afar or near, whether they are residents or foreigners, strong or weak, low or high, rich or poor, employed or unemployed, blind or signed, physically or mentally ill, learned or illiterate. There are no conditions of consideration and payment; none is objected to or even indirectly hinted at for non-payment. The entire service is through the magnificence of God, the generous one." (Policy statement of the hospital of al-Mansur Qalawun in Cairo (c. 1284 CE), taken from David W. Tschanz's "The Islamic Roots of the Modern Hospital.") Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard, said in a speech: “There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world. It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins. One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between. And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration. Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage, romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things. When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others. While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent. Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership.” Conclusion The historical evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that the Islamic civilization was a force for immense good, driving advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and cultural exchange. While its contributions have often been underappreciated or overlooked, the legacy of this remarkable civilization continues to shape our world today. As we grapple with the challenges of the modern era, there is much we can learn from the spirit of innovation, tolerance, and civic leadership that defined the Islamic Golden Age. References Tschanz, David W. "The Islamic Roots of the Modern Hospital." JIMA: Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America, vol. 40, no. 1, 2008, pp. 35–40. Fiorina, Carly. "Remarks by Carly Fiorina at the Islamic Center of Southern California." Hewlett-Packard, 16 Nov. 2001, www.hp.com/hpinfo/execteam/speeches/fiorina/islctr01.html. Saliba, George. Islamic Science and the Making of the European Renaissance. MIT Press, 2007. Huff, Toby E. The Rise of Early Modern Science: Islam, China, and the West. Cambridge University Press, 2017. Lyons, Jonathan. The House of Wisdom: How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009.