Ahmad Kutty – Giants of Islamic Civilization Muammad ibn Amad AlBrn
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Bula salatu salam ala Rasulillah
while Ali he was happy at Marian
first of all, Sister Fatima, you came from umbra. Did you grow all
of us in your prayers inshallah
and the Muslim ummah in general inshallah hamdulillah Thank you
very much me unless one or two I'll accept your Onra and may
Allah inspire us also to want to take pilgrimages inshallah.
First of all I make dua to Allah subhanaw taala Allah Malim na
meiofauna ofan avamar alum Tana was at dinner Alma Allahumma
dilemna young foreigner will find Tana was
ALLAH who murdered him no foul no foreigner remodelling Tana was at
dinner, Elmo, other teachers that which is beneficial for us and
bless us in the knowledge you have granted us and increase our
knowledge.
Today we are discussing unique personality.
So far we have been discussing
scholars, jurists, and heroes.
And today we are
discussing a scientist and scholar.
I would say
he would be
like an exemplary paradigm
scholar
for us today.
Who in his approach to knowledge and science and religion,
including social sciences
can be an exemplary model for us
how Muslims should look at science, how Muslims should look
at theology and philosophy, how Muslims can integrate all of this
into an epistemology in the Quranic epistemology and thereby
do justice
while practicing being
how we can be good Muslims, good scientists, good social
scientists, there is no need for us to compromise our religion
our ethics or morals
to be as modern as we can, shallow
Biruni was born in 362 almost more than 1000 years ago
there was a millennial celebration
of his birth or 1973
it was celebrated in a number of countries a glory Soviet Russia
Iran of course, we is is a person by Origin descendant also birth
in Afghanistan, because he lived in Afghanistan in Pakistan
Uzbekistan.
So he is and he is celebrated in Arabia he is Arabs considering
considers him as one of them because he wrote in Arabic mainly
and he loved Arabic. Although he is a Persian
he said as a Muslim
and
he loves to slum he loves Arabic and prefers Arabic to push it even
though person is ill mannered.
He said Arabic is the language of knowledge and science. Whereas
Persian may be good for entertainment
See, he is molded by his
his Islamic
love of Quran and things like that. Okay, so let's in this of
course, this is a very very well asked area a lot of research is
done now.
The scholars are discovering me was a buried treasure actually.
And now
of the modern scholars who are objective in the western world in
North America are recognizing Him as unsurpassed
there is no one comparable to Al Biruni
in Islamic history, and they are saying he is also appears in the
history of war
in the world history, it is objectivity with empiricism in
his, you know, inquisitive nature
okay. So, we are going to talk about briefly about his origins,
his love of knowledge, of course, that is the main thing that
characterizes this personality and scientific methodology and what is
that scientific methodology that will do justice to the reality,
because reality is not
simply reduced to what is seen,
what is subjected to the five senses or six senses is something
beyond that. So, how do you combine, you know, be scientific
while not denying
that which is beyond
human cognition, the unseen realities, and, of course, he is
considered the founder of comparative religion. He is, of
course, none we'll talk about something briefly about his
legacy. There's so much but I can only mention one or two points
here and then something of the wisdom that
we can learn from him.
His full name, of course, his name is Mohammed Ibrahim Maga Biruni.
Of course, his nickname is abou Reihan is
he was born in cut it is in the outskirts of our region in Persia
which is personally part of Uzbekistan.
That's why Soviet Russia claims him as one of them, their sons
because Uzbekistan was incorporated by Russia of course,
then they gain freedom from Russia.
So,
you see, how our rhythm Carozza and this is in Central Asia, this
has produced a great number of callers
if you look at the Biographical dictionaries of Muslim scholars,
many many scholars came from this central ratio and Biruni was
definitely one of the greatest
of course
Biruni in Persian means the man from the outside outer skirt,
outer district or suburb Some call it suburb, because
he used to say about his village, that if somebody the people in
this village is so
it has no significance because people they unlettered So for
somebody to be a scholar to be born there and to be a scholar the
possibilities like a camel facing the Qibla
remote
Okay, so
because Bahraini at the name of this place became by rule
because
because of by Rooney because he was born in the outskirts, then of
course this named Chuck because he was the most famous son of that
place.
The city Okay, so it is named after him.
Central Asia, okay, I have it was a melting point, pot of
ethnicities. They say America is a melting pot, isn't it? So, in
those days, Korea's forests and Central Asia was a melting pot of
ethnicities, religions and languages and a very strong
stronghold of scholars.
There are countless scholars who came from that area. Of course you
have have always been
great scientists. You have Buhari the great Muhaddith
you have the theology and maturity, one of the greatest
theologians in Islam you'll have farabi
A philosopher Ibnu Sina, and of course, Biruni, all of them belong
to this regime they.
So you can see how, you know, Islam became so universal. And
this religion was served by people of all races and nationalities,
ethnicities.
He was a person by descendant birth.
But he is
okay. He is claimed as one of their own by Russia, Iran,
Afghanistan, I mentioned, the Arabs recommend him as an Arab
since he wrote mainly in Arabic. Of course, he also wrote in
Persian one book
don't consider, you know, this is something against the grain of
Persians versions are proud of the language, but he loved Arabic more
than Persian.
That was because of his deep love for Quran. And virtually his whole
worldview is molded by the Quran.
That's what distinguishes him from other scientists, of course, other
scientists like Christina, were also spiritual and they had been
influenced by Quran but more than any one of them. He has this
empirical approach he has this true faith in the Quran and Allah
subhanaw taala. And recognize accepts all of the but staying
away from the superstitions and developing that critical mindset.
He did not attach any value to his dissent or birthplace
because he was a truly universal citizen.
He attached so the he was not racist, he did not consider any
race, but he was the farthest from that because, you know, he did not
think that any race is superior to another race.
Insofar as people excel, it's because of milieu because of
nurturing and things like that. So you nobody can claim like, there
is something in born in one race that makes them superior. You see
that the Quranic idea, isn't it, that human beings are from a
single origin, you know, that's
okay. He was raised by his uncle. It was born with a deep love for
knowledge.
Very, very scholars who study him, every one of them say this man had
such a boundless passion for knowledge. Wherever he goes. He's
always learning he is observing. He was looking, he is measuring
his study.
He's studying literature. He became a master in Arabic
language. He has
books, you know, explaining the poetry of Abu Tamam. And so he's a
master in literature. Of course, he mastered a number of languages.
Quite quote, amazing. Okay, so, he said about himself from my very
early childhood, I have been consumed by the desire to learn
various arts and sciences.
Once a Roman visited our homeland, here's Rumiko says, but when we
Romy means Roman actually
visited. So looking CCA looking out
to learn new things, this is inquisitive nature. So here is a
stranger coming to visit his homeland. So he befriended him
history, and he wants to learn his language from him. So it takes,
you know, seeds because he is already studying that language. So
he takes fruits is seeds and herbs, to find out
the names of these things in his language.
You see, that's that's the kind of desire he has to seek knowledge.
And of course, it's lifelong, you know, search for knowledge. This
is one thing that we need to really realize. He was one of
those who lived and died by the Quranic idea.
Fillmore
anybody, we take it for granted that the first piece of Revelation
is equal, isn't it?
But do we really
take this to heart
and engage in lifelong learning, and reading and study?
We simply recite it. But of course, we may study but not in
the same spirit that this scientists and scholar did. He
took this order of Allah seriously. So for him, the
greatest pleasure in this world is pursuit of knowledge.
And he did that until he Beatrice last.
In deathbed, I told you the story, how it's called or visited him his
guide.
That is last moment, actually. And then he asked us color, what was
that issue they were discussing, which I failed to take note of.
So the score asked him at this stage.
He said,
I want to meet my Lord, with knowledge.
You know, it's better for me to meet him
rather than in ignorance, after having known this, you know, and
of course, the scholar visits him and answers him and then he
returns on the way the announcement is made by Arun is
dead.
You see how, how dedicated he is?
You'll see how France Rozendaal. He is a researcher, lifelong
researcher Orientalist. Of course, he is not one of those
typical Orientalist who is undergoing student slum, but he
really appreciated the contribution of Islamic
civilization. And he's really
believed that
Arabs and Muslims have contributed
greatly to the civilization more than any other race in the world,
any other group in the world, you know, and then in his famous book
on knowledge is that there is no other concept that has been
operative as a determinant of Muslim civilization in all of its
aspect to the same extent as Elma.
No, actually, what he said is, that when you look at various
civilizations, there is one trade
if you were to look for one trade that symbolizes
that is iconic,
reflective of, of the color and the style of that civilization,
what is that?
For the Islamic civilization, it is knowledge he says, because you
know, all of this, he says, began with this Quranic imperative for
us to seek knowledge
under the Allah mobile column read in the pneumofore, Lord, who
taught man through the medium of pen, so reading and writing is so
we're gonna be one is through there is a Surah which is called
Al Kalam Surah Al column.
Okay. So,
Bahraini, personified this spirit, this Quranic spirit, a
emboli
in his life,
this Quranic this the spirit of inquiry, and, you know, Rasulullah
sallallahu, some sort of tolerable remedy for ILA pursuit of
knowledge is is a funnel. And of course, then scholars divided this
fall into four the key fire fire line for line is
knowledge is obligatory,
that kind of knowledge that
everybody should have.
That's essentially obligatory on every individual, then there are
there is no like that is for the key fire
is not obligated on every single individual, but obligatory one
the, on the community as a collective already. So in the
sense that if some have it, if we have experts in medicine, experts
in social sciences, experts in mathematics
Experts
you know others are absolved.
But otherwise nobody no expert, the whole community will be
punished by Allah subhanaw taala.
But when it comes to the knowledge of essential duties, for instance,
prayer, fasting, if somebody is rich, it should know the rules of
the car,
if you are going for Hajj, but if you are poor, you cannot you have
no means nothing to give the car or undertake Hajj, you don't need
to it's not a requirement for you obligatory on you to know the
rules of Hajj or rules of Zakah. But if you are rich you should
know if somebody is rich, you should know the laws of halal and
haram and about earning and spending money
you know, so, ethics governing all of this is depending from
individual to varies from individual to individual and some
branches. As far as some branches of knowledge are concerned.
He started his education by mastering Arabic and Persian and
religious sciences, this was the you know, child will be first
introduced to the study of the Quran and of course, the languages
as a tool then from the he would go to study the Religious Sciences
after having you know, studied the basics, basic sciences of
religious sciences, including Foucault and theology and things
like that, the Quran and Hadith, even don't stop study the rational
sciences under a bonus or Missourah scientist who encouraged
him to undertake experiments of his own. So, you see very early
years, he is is not just
interested in theories,
he wants to experiment
he wants to explore, they want to test
where it came from, because he is Quran every take any page of the
Quran.
Allah wants us to look at the nature to observe this observe
that you see Biruni is a very devoted Muslim and committed
Muslim. So, he wants to know as Quran want us to learn about the
order about the Creator by studying his creation
He literally a private So, everything for him is not just one
to limit a study to study of the three
combat he wanted to study everything out there
everything out there means everything that is visible.
Okay, he wanted to know what is meant by area of systems within
the cosmos. He learned about distances, loved geography,
excelled in mathematics delved into physics,
you know, he is a most worry, I don't know how people are
astounded at this achievements of this man.
He is a Masui is a polymath, a Cyclopedic how one individual
can
you know within his life, master all the sciences and make
contributions
you know, there are studies coming out that the people like Newton
and others, you know, their theories they are interpreted to,
to Biruni.
So,
the theory of gravity and you know, even the concept
is the one who initiated the discussion that, that the Earth
may be moving
in its own orbit, you know, so, many people think it is the
European discovery, but there are statements that he made, which
says this
which can you know, some scholars have traced this this theory to
two virally, he studied rocks wondered about the nature of the
earth and its components, their size, shapes and sub fields.
of medicine, he explored the use and misuse of plants and their
extracts for cues.
In every single thing, he has written a book
only 1/5 of the books he wrote has survived.
But
they say he has written a minimum of 150 books.
And some of them are really huge works.
He wrote about, you know,
five pharmacology, you may call it say Donna, there is a book called
it's a big book
about he looked into the stars, he's an astronomer, and one of the
very, very innovative one, you know, he makes precise
instruments.
A, he looked at the stars, their relationship, their moments,
influencers and delve deeply into astronomy.
He studied astrology also, but then one people against it.
Of course,
astrology and astronomy to different thing, astronomy is
based on what science whereas astrology is pure speculation, he
says, he wants to people don't indulge in that it's our you know,
pure speculation there is no
but he studied, he studied it in order to see you know, so, this is
critical mind, he made his first independent astronomical
observations when he was 18.
Can you imagine that, at the age of 18, somebody already
established
you know, because, and he had developed strong views on these
subjects by the age of 20 By the age of 20 is, you know, there are
scholars and scientists leaving is engaging them
in critical
questioning their assumptions, and you know, pointing out that
how absurd, you know, some of these theories are, especially if
he is attacking his refuting the, you know, unwarranted speculative
theories of the Greek, you know, philosophers like Aristotle and
others, because, you know, I was totally, philosophy had crept and
heavily influenced the, some of the philosophers and scientists
like Gibbons Cena, and, and because of that, of their blind
following of Aristotle, of course, Emerson was not a blind follower,
but in some of the things he was blindly following a restorer. So,
here he is, at the age of 20, he is challenging, even see now, you
know, engaging him with a number of challenging questions relating
to Greek philosophy, say, the Hussain lessor who is a brilliant
scholar, one of the outstanding scholars living now of Islamic
philosophy and mysticism. He says this encounter marks one of the
highlights of Islamic intellectual history, and in fact, medieval
literature, philosophy and science in general.
So, you see how brilliant this what kind of a genius is?
Of course, there are studies of these exchanges. You know,
researchers have studied these researchers, and they have
concluded that
there are basic differences between the approaches of the two
scientists in the center, the scientists and philosopher and by
Rooney, primarily a scientists, but also a philosopher, in a real
sense, in the sense, how he is
questioning the assumptions of Greek philosophy, you know, which
has been uncritically adopted by some, you know, the, by some
Muslim philosophers and scientists, because of which they
have.
They have departed from the mainstream view of, of mainstream
Islamic theology, you know, Islamic concept of Oh God, about
heaven and *. Of course, even a sinner did not deny heaven and
* he didn't
Don't deny God but his concept of God is more philosophy fickle than
Quranic so that's why he's challenging that
he thinks that evolution is uncritical And whereas, not only
he thinks now, so, after studying both
now even the Western scholars are saying that even a cena is
uncritical Biruni is truly scientific
okay
we don't he has
this mindset of a Biruni is he will not take anything on
critically when it comes to something established by Quran no
question asked.
But even things that people report from tradition, he will not accept
it if it is contrary to reason, this is the perfect approach for
us to take today. Because how can Rasul This allows them this this
is how you and I shall Ilona as approach, you know, once she was
told of certain narrations
allegedly, you know, people
reporting on behalf of the prophets are lousy,
she will not accept it, if it is contrary to reason all the fun
established principles of the Quran. So, you see how the
consistency that that there is you know,
but when it comes to the metaphysical thing, reality is
beyond senses
the channel the source for that knowledge is what science is not
the source for nor
the source for that knowledge is Revelation.
But when it comes to things that are empirically that has to be
proven, reason, empirical observation and facts,
this is the scientific approach of Al Biruni. This is what we need
today
and this remember 1002 years ago.
So,
having studied both scientists once color said that by erroneous
or passiveness, Sina both in the breadth and catholicity of
skeptical addition in the fields of history and chronology,
mathematics, astronomy, geography, mineralogy, history of religions
and Indology
Okay, so how many branches sorry, how many?
What kind of a last one oh Tala you know, when the mind is opened,
and the person is willing to learn. And this is what I read the
even able to call dune. All these years in the western world of
people used to think that people like even Calderon and others
are hypocrites,
in the sense that how can they reconcile Quran their faith in
Quran
while being truly scientific, because the western world is
conditioned to think that religion and science cannot go together.
So, you cannot be a social scientists. You cannot be assigned
this, but it's negated even even a cena you know, one is perplexed.
He can, it is perplexing. He said that he would go and pray to raka
after which he will be enlightened. And I read able to
hold on saying look, logic can empirical research will teach us
and it will help us but one you are in deadlock.
Humble yourself before the Lord of the wolves and seek His mercy. He
will open your heart that divine light will shine on your heart.
You see how so? This is the difference between someone who has
imbibed the Islamic Quranic epistemology
and does research and that's why Bill CARDONE will come to him
later Inshallah, in our series,
how he said that the foundation of our learning should be Quran
because once a person has studied Quran in depth,
he can go to any field of knowledge. He will be here having
the keys to him
tolerate our knowledge into a holistic, comprehensive system.
Without this kind of paradigm,
each science will be like a solitude is fragmented, there is
nothing Unifying them. You see how, what a brilliant and this is
what you see in a person like Biruni you know, he can attack
anything and he is bringing out brilliant insights and every
single day now, we are the researchers, there are a lot of
dissertations are being written on him, they are amazed how this man
has, you know,
reached such excellence.
His curiosity and inquisitive nature make him stand out as a
free thinker who was not bound by any prior systems or biases. You
know?
He retreated the Quranic axiom to seek the truth, and be just in
judgment, even if it hurts you.
Allah subhanho wa Taala more than four verses in the Quran, Allah
revealed
specifically in the context of Muslims making judgment against
the Jews.
Allah tells Muslims,
even though human not like Jews, be fair, in your judgment, be just
here the law
do we apply this now?
Do we follow this?
When we study other religions, or other people
we don't.
But one man of pride this
week when he studied other history of other religions 100% He applied
this and he repeated the Quran demands from a Muslim that he
should be seeking truth is should not approach in his study of
history of any people, or any nation any culture and religion
with biases preconceived ideas. It should let facts peek, because we
should be after the truth. We should not impose our own
categories on other people.
That's why he stands out from our other Muslim theology who studied
other religions Biruni stands out because he's objective. And where
did it come from? He himself said this is what Quran demands from
us.
And of course, he doesn't believe he's not a racist
Rasul Allah said there is nothing in Borno MBO onboard superiority
for Arab over a non Arab or white man or a black man. So he thinks
that people are not superior by their birth or ethnicity or
anything like that.
Insofar people differ, it's because of other factors.
So, this is this is the scientific approach.
So
he considered essential to view the evidence with as much openness
to observation as His instruments and knowledge permit.
You see how
this is
the
this is a way to go, if only Muslims applied this in their, in
their study of other nations or history, and critical because this
will allow us to see what is good with us and what is wrong with us,
and what is good with others that we can learn from them. And that
this, what this great scholar did,
because recognizing the good in others doesn't make you less
Muslim.
still make you better Muslim? Because this is what Quran demands
from us. Recognize the good where it is. And of course, that will
not Islam doesn't want you to, you know, to go any other route.
Thanks to stress on observation. He perfected the astrolabe and
develop mathematical astronomy.
He questioned the Anwar under philosophy, speculations of
Obinna, Sina and Aristotle as lacking evidence. Okay, we
mentioned it,
alluded to it. Now, let's say the kind of scholar has studied this
exchange between the winner Cena and Bahraini. Of course, there are
many many points to be we don't have time
To, to evaluate the significance of it, but some of the questions
that he poses, how do you explore and explain weight and space?
How do you determine whether heavenly spheres are heavy or
light?
Are there other words then the cosmos as we know it?
For Aristotle variability, now, the answer to the last question
was no.
Because according to the closed system, there is no possibility
that other worlds beyond the cosmos, but what is, but why of
irony, of course, we are not talking about the unseen world we
are talking about other worlds, you know, physical, the answer was
maybe because, though we cannot prove the existence of other
worlds, neither can be disproved their existence, see how, because
he want evidence, one
solid evidence to make this kind of, you know, categorical, you
know, otherwise you cannot, but what Greek way is that, this is
what Dr. A cabal
observes, after studying the Greek and other philosophies, he says
the difference between the Greek philosophy and the Quran, in the
innovation of the Quran or the
is that Greek philosophers were sitting on the ivory tower and
speculating whereas Quran tells us to go out
and observe.
So, empirical methodology
and a Quran this this dismisses, you know, speculative, especially
when it comes to board and the realities which are beyond, you
know, as for the empirical we have to go and observe. So, you cannot
make science out of speculation, sciences experiment, you need
data. And, of course, he applied the same thing to, you know,
actually, our scholars, historians of Islamic methodology already
pointed out this whole scientific methodology, gathering facts and
scrutinizing them was pioneered by Muslims, because Muslims had to,
you know, gather the reports from the prophets that allowed Islam
you know, how Imam Bukhari you know, gather all these 60 years he
gathered all the reports attributed to the Prophet and then
he had a methodology established to scrutinize to judge the
spurious from the authentic you know, and of course, they have the
development of science of validation. Of course, this was
taken,
expanded by those who, you know, in the House of Wisdom, Darren
Hickam our you know, all of these scholars and scientists were
production of that House of Wisdom which Alma Moon had established in
Baghdad. So, we people from all over the world used to come and
study under Muslim scholars and scientists, you know, translating
books from various languages and things like that.
Okay. He believes that reason, empirical knowledge cannot fathom
or measure the unseen realities, because that Biruni rejected the
metaphysics of philosophers in favor of the Quranic epistemology.
You know, because Quranic epistemology is, there are
three different
realms, one is the empirical realm, and the other is realm
beyond human cognition,
beyond the five senses, beyond six senses, and then there is
experience with him. So, you see, there are three streams of
knowledge.
So, one so called lettuce sign, this says there is no God,
because science has experienced
and he refers to scientific experience, Muslim philosophers
refuted it by saying the spiritual experience, just like scientific
experience, empirical experience, testing, pros, the spiritual
experience proves the existence of God, of course, and all these
realms beyond senses.
That's valid experience. So,
The revelation is an experience itself okay. So, this is the
Islamic Quranic epistemology. So, in the case of Biruni, he he takes
this approach, so there is no, he believed in the harmony of
religion and science therefore, for him there is no question of
any conflict between religion and science, or reason and revelation.
He studied all religions. How did he study religions, by what
Muslims have written about them?
No, he studied first, Hebrew, a master the Hebrew language, he
mastered Greek language, he mastered Sanskrit, she mastered
the law, before studying these various religions. So, now, you
see the scientists, he is already established it coming now, to the
social sciences, anthropology, sociology. So, in order to study
history, he studies history of people who studies the languages
first, because you will need to know what they have written about
themselves, not what you think they say, or believe or practice,
don't assume, don't project your bias. That's not knowledge. That's
not truth. So, you are bound by the evidence to go and search you
have to study the original sources, this is something he
emphasizes to study Hinduism, you have to study the sources of
Hinduism. You have to study under those who can teach about that
religion.
This is now something Wilfer convert Smith, who, who founded
the Islamic Institute of McGill Islamic Institute.
You know, all these Orientalist who are studying Islam, you know,
from the point of view of, of Christianity, so Christianity is
the norm. So when they find the Prophet sallahu, wa salam Mary,
and they have already established the ideal religion, the pious man
is somebody who doesn't get married, celibacy is the ideal. So
they look at Rasulullah and Islam as deviant, you understand?
Because they are looking at it from the distorted Christian lens
actually. So but Wilfer Canvas met was bold enough, even though he is
a Christian, he was bold enough to admit that no study of any
religion nor study of Islam would be
would be true or objective. Until you study Islam from
those who claim to be Muslims from those who practice that direction.
But you think we'll first canvass myth invented this methodology
is Biruni, who is Pioneer yet?
And what motivated him is the Quranic under stress, hormone, be
fair, be truthful, in your judgment
of others? Believe me, this this amazing actually.
He says that of all, he studied all these religions, he studied
Judaism. And of course, his contribution about the history of,
of the Jews
is considered unique that even the Jews didn't know some of the facts
that he has brought out. But then
of some Jewish sect or some Christian sects, he could not find
their, you know, practitioners.
If you couldn't find anyone, you know, giving the empirical data
or,
you know, telling them about that sect. He would say, I don't know.
So because he wouldn't speculate, that is signed, if that's being
objective. So he has this,
this disk
courage to No, this is lovely. This is what you see. And I'm
gonna call Don, also, every single statement he makes about something
afar, about some observational in nature able to say Allahu Allah,
God knows, but
it could be false. It could be true, because when there are not
enough evidence
to it's a probability, it's a theory. Okay, so
only 1/5 of his works have survived. He said about Quran that
nothing in the Quran as compared to the other scriptures. You may
find statements in the others
A church that completely proven, unscientific contradicted by
science, but he challenges people there is nothing in the Quran that
contradicts the established facts of science. And that shows that
Quran is, is different from other scriptures. And of course, he
wrote more than 150 words, but unfortunately only a very small,
they say 5% or something how only survived consider nature as a
harmonious system, each of his part complementing the other.
So he carefully observed the details of his environment,
including birds, plants, minerals and animals, applied mathematics
to his study of geography and natural world. Some consider him
as the founder of God see, the science of measuring the size and
shape of the Earth, mapping points studying its gravitational fields.
Actually, the scholars, Western researchers even have admitted
it's next to impossible to list the great achievements of this one
genius is a singular genius, unique pls in the history of Islam
in the history of the world. You know,
in his book on astrolabe, he considers how one can determine
the circumference of the Earth using geometry is investigations
in these areas were motivated
by a desire to determine the direction of Qibla for prayer.
As well as to guide the Pilgrims find the best road to travel for
pilgrimage and to determine the times of prayers, he has a book
called Shadows, you know, because Allah, you know, we have to
measure the shadow to determine the time so, he has a book on
that, you know, all of these works most of this works in this area is
the main motivation is religious, how to determine the direction and
of course, a
perfected that instrument to how to
there is an interesting thing
that he saw called Olim. It showed him you know, how to determine the
Qibla. And then of course, in that there was some
besonderen you know, something involving descendants. So, this
kokles caller who is a fanatic, he said, this is
you see imitating them. So,
this quarter said a Biruni sad, while these angles are so eat
food, so you should not eat food.
Of course, this statement is so relevant today for Muslims because
we fail to take into account this man Tasha Baba COVID for minimum
does not apply to benefit him from other people. It only applies in
imitating people in their specific religious practices
and nothing else.
Prophet sallallahu alayhi salam and the Sahaba benefited freely
from every from Mushrikeen from from the Christians and the Jews,
when they went out. They did not ask this question whether this is
haram or Halal unless it is something specifically related to
religion.
But today, what is our we cross our mind? We make this kind of
create these walls, whereas Islam came to open up, open up the mind
open up the borders. That's why even our boss said the word fat.
He explained it. Because before Islam came, people are walled
themselves, you know, Jews are safe in their tribe, and step out
of the tribe, they will be killed. You know, Islam came to open up
Islam. And this is now well established by historians of
Islamic expansion, that Muslims did not impose Islam on other
people.
People in Korea in Syria and Iraq and other places majority remained
majority Christians and Jews. It's only gradually they became
Muslims.
Because Islam was not imposed.
And the same thing happened. Muslims rolled India so many
centuries but Muslims did not embrace Islam on Hindus in India.
That's why majority
Your people in India are Hindus, isn't it? Unlike Christianity was
Christian force the religion on the lands they conquered, isn't
it?
See how so that's the difference by Romans Cara took him to a
number of cities and countries including India.
He mastered a number of languages including Arabic, Persian, Greek,
Sanskrit, Hebrew.
He was because the king, some scholars at that time, rulers at
that time, patronize scholars and scientists. So here is a big sign
this
one, you know, Muhammad of Gaza invaded Azerbaijan, he took the
scholars and scientists as prisoners, captives, meaning he
wants them to keep them for himself in his court. So they have
no freedom. So he never forgave Mahmoud, from Gaza, for taking
them as a captive, meaning he, he has to go with him wherever he
goes. So he took him to India, of course, he wants to benefit from
his scientific knowledge and things like that. But when you
went to India, of course, he thought this is a golden
opportunity for him now.
Because India was famous for so many things at that time. So he
wants to study the Indian culture in the customs, Indian sciences in
the religion.
But he said, it's the most difficult thing to do. Because
Hindus are very, very jealously safeguard the knowledge, they
don't want to part of it, especially to Muslims, whom they
consider as malach ah, filthy.
So, this is the so but he said, there is some reason for it.
Because Muslims invaders, the so called Muslims invaded India, and
they destroyed so many things there. So you see how it's fair,
this Islam teaches us to do that.
So he said, There is a reason for it, but
as a Muslim, now, he had to study the religion he has, and why he's
doing that, because he want Muslims to have a good knowledge
of other societies or the religions, so that they don't make
wrong judgments about them. He said, This is why I'm studying it,
I want there is nobody who has done it, otherwise, we will be
making these kind of erroneous statements and it will not we need
to be guided by facts. So what did he do? He lived there more than 10
years.
He first studied the geography of India. He was the first one who
concluded that India was our underwater
and late it's it became land later, the same conch observation
he made about Arabia that it was see before how did he prove that
he unearthed all those shells and everything, said Lucy, even the,
you know,
even the fish
traces and the dead thing, fish, he unearthed those unsprouted that
this were one time this was a sea water, this was part of the sea,
the same way India he said, it was our you know, underwater and then
slowly, it became the land, which is India. And of course, he
measured the mountains and things like that in India, you know, he
had developed a instruments for that. But our,
the main thing that attracts, you know, that consensus here is
his study of Hinduism In the Indian culture.
So, first to do that, he studied Sanskrit.
It's a very difficult language, especially for an Arab, he's an
Arab by his training. It's very hard for him, but he went, and he
used the pundits, he sat under the feet of Hindu teachers and
mastered this language, and then also studied as much as possible
the Hindu scriptures and other literature and works in sciences
and arts.
And then he went around and observed and all of this, you
know, he, he wrote
to an encyclopedic work, which is called the Taiko model and little
Hindi McElhatton in a marcoola are Marula this investigation and
objective investigation of
of those
beliefs and practices of of India which is acceptable to reason
and those which cannot be acceptable to reason. So, his
his idea is to to make an objective study and of course, he
wanted that, so, that the Muslims can also use it
for the benefit of Muslims and scholars who want to make
judgment, okay.
He wants to base he studied studies on not only Hinduism or
other cultures, it's our facts and original sources. The three one is
facts, and other is original sources, and then empirical
observations. This is how he studied Judaism. This is how he
studied Christianity. This is how he studied Hinduism.
And while doing so,
he wants to see the commonalities also because Allah subhanaw taala
said that God has sent messengers to every nation, isn't it?
So, you want to know is there anything common between Islam and
Hinduism? He finds Yes, there are what what?
There are things common and there are things that was different. And
these differences are corruptions and exploitation, interpolations.
Actually. He went to great lengths to study okay. He concluded that
the Hindu elite were basically monotheistic in their belief.
Okay, while the uneducated masses held anthropomorphic notions of
deity, thus indulging in idolatry,
he
says he statement thus Hindus believe with regard to God, that
he is one eternal, without beginning and ending, acting by
Free Will Almighty are wise, living giving life rolling,
preserving one who in the sovereignty is unique, beyond all
likeness and likeness, and that he does not resemble anything nor
does anything resemble him.
What is this? This is sort of a class, this is a I took corsi. So,
you see how his deep study, he said, This is the sophisticated
essence of Hinduism. But then the kosher, how the mass how idolatry
said adultery is practice, by who uneducated masses, and but of
course, then he goes into great length or how even
the so called elite approved it, the thing this is, the masses
cannot see the abstract.
But for binary that is wrong. There is no inborn superior,
Masters insofar as they are masters, it's because of their
milieu and nurture
is nothing you understand there is where Islamic, so, but Hindu elite
have already this is what the Shudra can do, you know, they
cannot go into spiritual extra, you understand? They cannot rise
themselves to a higher level. That's where he differs, because
Islam word egalitarian, Islam considers our own humanity equal,
isn't it? There is no caste system, he he goes into great
detail about caste system. So he is finding the commonality and
also then he brings out what is what is different than than he
says, Thank Allah, God has given us this religion. He you know,
read one
aspect of this superstitions and, you know, many other you
understand, he's bringing out the other thing of course, while doing
so his objective is not condemning.
Now, of course, there is a lot of things to say. But I want to
conclude this, how the Western scholars, I'm not talking about
the Eastern scholars now, George Martin, the founder of the history
of science, Harvard historian, he said, defined by Rooney as one of
the very greatest scientists of Islam and our
considered one of the greatest of all times.
So, you don't need to you know, as a Muslim you can go for it. This
is the lesson that we can see. And this is UNESCO heard over the rice
one
horrendous color to write about Biruni wrote a monograph he said
so far is although he lived 1000 years ago, he was so far ahead of
his time that is most brilliant discoveries seemed
incomprehensible to most of the scholars of his days Okay. Okay.
Now,
I want to conclude this by a piece of wisdom there is so much wisdom
in this man but his approach unlike
what this will tell us what we as Muslims today lack
ladies book on on India, he cites a parable
a man is traveling with his pupils towards the end of the night in
dark night, there appears something's turning directly
before them on the road
back in those olden days, you know, because there was no
electricity. So, people used to have all kinds of positions they
believe I don't want to go into that this is exactly like that.
So, there appears something standing erect before them on the
road the nature of which is impossible to recognize because of
darkness the man turns is this is Teacher turns rich peoples and
asked them what it is
the first one says I do not know what it is
just ignorant the second one says I do not know and I have no means
of learning what it is
and the third It is useless to examine what it is for the raising
of the day will reveal it
okay. Now,
do we find ourselves in it? Yeah, surely most of us fall in this
including myself maybe it is clear that none of them had attained
normally okay. Now, what is this
whereas Okay, where is the fourth one?
It is clear that none of them had attained knowledge the first
because of his ignorance and he want to remain there the second
was incapable and no means of no knowledge by learning
the third was in Doland is lazy isn't it?
And the fourth did not answer
the fourth one did not answer he stood still and then he went on in
the direction of the object on coming near he found that it was
pumpkins on which there was something ton entangled.
He considered that no living man and dog with free will could stand
still in this situation and therefore it was a lifeless object
to be sure he even close to it and struck it with his foot till it
fell to the ground. Thus remove all doubt he returned to his
master and gave him the exact recount
understand
is it clear
so he went and checked Yeah, that is what
that is the true knowledge and that the scientific way of knowing
so check it for yourself. Okay, when the last one with Allah, you
know, may Allah have mercy on Biruni and may Allah subhanaw
taala inspire us to learn from these great masters and mentors.
This is these are now today
hello,
I can't
I can't do it
shut
up
All
right
oh
so one of the important distinction between Islam and
Hinduism is that Rasul has allowed us to Islam came to democratize
knowledge that you know this division that unmasked you know
the masses cannot be taught, they cannot be educated is rejected by
Islam Rasul Allah said, learn and teach.
And that's why the marketization of knowledge is one of the most
important lessons that Biruni learned, which made him you know,
Shun this idea that there are also because of his understanding of
humanity coming from a single origin. It rejected here he
rejected this, you know, caste system, you know, which said that
one race is has inborn tendencies, or traits that make them you no
superior to other. May Allah subhanaw taala help us, inspire us
to love Rasulullah Allah and love the messenger of Allah and love
those who love Allah subhanho wa Taala and make us love the actions
and the words that will bring us closer to the love of Allah
subhanaw taala salaam aleikum wa rahmatullah