Influence of Islamic Civilization on our modern world ...

Auzer · #1 (**permalink**) 06-Jul-2012, 15:04 PM

These are few things that Islamic Civilization gave to the humanity.Without them , our daily life would've been incomplete....

1- Coffee :
The story goes that an Arab named Khalid was tending his goats in the Kaffa region of southern Ethiopia, when he noticed his animals became livelier after eating a certain berry. He boiled the berries to make the first coffee. Certainly the first record of the drink is of beans exported from Ethiopia to Yemen where Sufis drank it to stay awake all night to pray on special occasions. By the late 15th century it had arrived in Mecca and Turkey from where it made its way to Venice in 1645. It was brought to England in 1650 by a Turk named Pasqua Rosee who opened the first coffee house in Lombard Street in the City of London. The Arabic qahwa became the Turkish kahve then the Italian caffé and then English coffee.

2-Modern Optics and pin-hole camera :

The ancient Greeks thought our eyes emitted rays, like a laser, which enabled us to see. The first person to realise that light enters the eye, rather than leaving it, was the 10th-century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham. He invented the first pin-hole camera after noticing the way light came through a hole in window shutters. The smaller the hole, the better the picture, he worked out, and set up the first Camera Obscura (from the Arab word qamara for a dark or private room). He is also credited with being the first man to shift physics from a philosophical activity to an experimental one.

3- Modern Chess :

A form of chess was played in ancient India but the game was developed into the form we know it today in Persia. From there it spread westward to Europe - where it was introduced by the Moors in Spain in the 10th century - and eastward as far as Japan. The word rook comes from the Persian rukh, which means chariot.

4- Attempts at human flight :

A thousand years before the Wright brothers a Muslim poet, astronomer, musician and engineer named Abbas ibn Firnas made several attempts to construct a flying machine. In 852 he jumped from the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Cordoba using a loose cloak stiffened with wooden struts. He hoped to glide like a bird. He didn't. But the cloak slowed his fall, creating what is thought to be the first parachute, and leaving him with only minor injuries. In 875, aged 70, having perfected a machine of silk and eagles' feathers he tried again, jumping from a mountain. He flew to a significant height and stayed aloft for ten minutes but crashed on landing - concluding, correctly, that it was because he had not given his device a tail so it would stall on landing. Baghdad international airport and a crater on the Moon are named after him.

5- Modern Soaps and Shampoos :

Washing and bathing are religious requirements for Muslims, which is perhaps why they perfected the recipe for soap which we still use today. The ancient Egyptians had soap of a kind, as did the Romans who used it more as a pomade. But it was the Arabs who combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil. One of the Crusaders' most striking characteristics, to Arab nostrils, was that they did not wash. Shampoo was introduced to England by a Muslim who opened Mahomed's Indian Vapour Baths on Brighton seafront in 1759 and was appointed Shampooing Surgeon to Kings George IV and William IV.

6- Start of (experimental) Chemistry :

Distillation, the means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points, was invented around the year 800 by Islam's foremost scientist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, who transformed alchemy into chemistry, inventing many of the basic processes and apparatus still in use today - liquefaction, crystallisation, distillation, purification, oxidisation, evaporation and filtration. As well as discovering sulphuric and nitric acid, he invented the alembic still, giving the world intense rosewater and other perfumes and alcoholic spirits (although drinking them is haram, or forbidden, in Islam). Ibn Hayyan emphasised systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry.

7 - One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind : Translation of rotary motion into linear motion ..

The crank-shaft is a device which translates rotary into linear motion and is central to much of the machinery in the modern world, not least the internal combustion engine. One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, it was created by an ingenious Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to raise water for irrigation. His 1206 Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices shows he also invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by water and weights, and was the father of robotics. Among his 50 other inventions was the combination lock.

8- Pointed arch in Modern Architecture ..

The pointed arch so characteristic of Europe's Gothic cathedrals was an invention borrowed from Islamic architecture. It was much stronger than the rounded arch used by the Romans and Normans, thus allowing the building of bigger, higher, more complex and grander buildings. Other borrowings from Muslim genius included ribbed vaulting, rose windows and dome-building techniques. Europe's castles were also adapted to copy the Islamic world's - with arrow slits, battlements, a barbican and parapets. Square towers and keeps gave way to more easily defended round ones. Henry V's castle architect was a Muslim.

9- Surgical Instruments :

Many modern surgical instruments are of exactly the same design as those devised in the 10th century by a Muslim surgeon called al-Zahrawi. His scalpels, bone saws, forceps, fine scissors for eye surgery and many of the 200 instruments he devised are recognisable to a modern surgeon. It was he who discovered that catgut used for internal stitches dissolves away naturally (a discovery he made when his monkey ate his lute strings) and that it can be also used to make medicine capsules. In the 13th century, another Muslim medic named Ibn Nafis described the circulation of the blood, 300 years before William Harvey discovered it. Muslims doctors also invented anaesthetics of opium and alcohol mixes and developed hollow needles to suck cataracts from eyes in a technique still used today.

10- Windmill :

The windmill was invented in 634 for a Persian caliph and was used to grind corn and draw up water for irrigation. In the vast deserts of Arabia, when the seasonal streams ran dry, the only source of power was the wind which blew steadily from one direction for months. Mills had six or 12 sails covered in fabric or palm leaves. It was 500 years before the first windmill was seen in Europe.

11- Fountain Pen :

The fountain pen was invented for the Sultan of Egypt in 953 after he demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes. It held ink in a reservoir and, as with modern pens, fed ink to the nib by a combination of gravity and capillary action.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/islam/38750-influence-islamic-civilization-our-modern-world.html

14- Modern Numeral System :

The system of numbering in use all round the world is probably Indian in origin but the style of the numerals is Arabic and first appears in print in the work of the Muslim mathematicians al-Khwarizmi and al-Kindi around 825.

14-b Invention of Modern Algebra and Algorithms :

Algebra was named after al-Khwarizmi's book, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah, much of whose contents are still in use. The work of Muslim maths scholars was imported into Europe 300 years later by the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. Algorithms and much of the theory of trigonometry came from the Muslim world. And Al-Kindi's discovery of frequency analysis rendered all the codes of the ancient world soluble and created the basis of modern cryptology.

15- Three-Course meal :

Ali ibn Nafi, known by his nickname of Ziryab (Blackbird) came from Iraq to Cordoba in the 9th century and brought with him the concept of the three-course meal - soup, followed by fish or meat, then fruit and nuts. He also introduced crystal glasses (which had been invented after experiments with rock crystal by Abbas ibn Firnas - see No 4).

16- Modern Day Carpets :

Carpets were regarded as part of Paradise by medieval Muslims, thanks to their advanced weaving techniques, new tinctures from Islamic chemistry and highly developed sense of pattern and arabesque which were the basis of Islam's non-representational art. In contrast, Europe's floors were distinctly earthly, not to say earthy, until Arabian and Persian carpets were introduced. In England, as Erasmus recorded, floors were "covered in rushes, occasionally renewed, but so imperfectly that the bottom layer is left undisturbed, sometimes for 20 years, harbouring expectoration, vomiting, the leakage of dogs and men, ale droppings, scraps of fish, and other abominations not fit to be mentioned". Carpets, unsurprisingly, caught on quickly.

17- Concept of modern day "Cheques" :

The modern cheque comes from the Arabic saqq, a written vow to pay for goods when they were delivered, to avoid money having to be transported across dangerous terrain. In the 9th century, a Muslim businessman could cash a cheque in China drawn on his bank in Baghdad.

17- Military Gun Powder :

Though the Chinese invented saltpetre gunpowder, and used it in their fireworks, it was the Arabs who worked out that it could be purified using potassium nitrate for military use. Muslim incendiary devices terrified the Crusaders. By the 15th century they had invented both a rocket, which they called a "self-moving and combusting egg", and a torpedo - a self-propelled pear-shaped bomb with a spear at the front which impaled itself in enemy ships and then blew up.

18- Concept of Gardens being the place of 'beauty and meditation' ..

Medieval Europe had kitchen and herb gardens, but it was the Arabs who developed the idea of the garden as a place of beauty and meditation. The first royal pleasure gardens in Europe were opened in 11th-century Muslim Spain. Flowers which originated in Muslim gardens include the carnation and the tulip.

Source : http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-islamic-inventors-changed-the-world-469452.html

(The complete article can be read in the above source)

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As I am a frequent reader on the subjects like 'History of Scientific Development' etc , I found this source to be very interesting and authentic. It doesn't take the credit of others, like it mentions that numbers "originated" in India and gun powder was invented by Chinese etc , and at the same time , it explains how Muslim inventors took these basic inventions to a whole new level and gave great benefits to the humanity.

Islamic Lands were once the bacon of scientific research , innovation , tolerance , philosophy, and inventions. Out of 1400 years of its history , Islam remained the global dominant force for ~ 1100 years..that is ..71% of its ENTIRE history...No other civilization in human history can match this success ratio ... Muslims were economically , militarily , politically , and scientifically way "superior" to the rest of the world... I wonder what happened after 18th century? Why Muslims of today are so backward compared to others ? What I can understand is that The Ottoman Empire , Islamic Super Power of the world at that time , missed the industrial revolution. Europe got modernized and industrialized and Muslim Powers didn't. This caused Muslim Global Domination to fell and Europeans took over that role---The rest is history ....
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38750

I hope Muslims regain their past role and start working towards science , research , technology , innovation , knowledge production , and political stability... I hope that Muslim world come out of their dogmatic tribal beliefs and start working towards development , instead of caring about girl's Hijabs , girl's virginity , blasphemy issues , dreams of Caliphate etc etc ....

Anyways ... I hope you guys will like the information presented. I found it interesting , hence shared it here...

Peace

Searching · #2 (**permalink**) 06-Jul-2012, 16:38 PM

Quote:

14-b Invention of Modern Algebra and Algorithms :

Algebra was named after al-Khwarizmi's book, Al-Jabr wa-al-Muqabilah, much of whose contents are still in use. The work of Muslim maths scholars was imported into Europe 300 years later by the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. Algorithms and much of the theory of trigonometry came from the Muslim world. And Al-Kindi's discovery of frequency analysis rendered all the codes of the ancient world soluble and created the basis of modern cryptology.

This is big misconception. Algebra was first invented in India. It was scholars like Aryabhatta who made headway into it much before the Arabs.
This knowledge was taken to Arabia later.
Later the Europeans learnt about it through the Arabs and that is where it became known to the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History...Indian_algebra

Searching · #3 (**permalink**) 06-Jul-2012, 16:49 PM

Quote:

As I am a frequent reader on the subjects like 'History of Scientific Development' etc , I found this source to be very interesting and authentic. It doesn't take the credit of others, like it mentions that numbers "originated" in India and gun powder was invented by Chinese etc , and at the same time , it explains how Muslim inventors took these basic inventions to a whole new level and gave great benefits to the humanity.

To say that numbers originated in India but Algebra or Arithmetic were invented by Arabs is false and taking away credit from where it should be given.

Another thing that I don't understand is the glorification of Islam (since the topic is named Influence of Islamic Civilization on our modern world ...) in the above mentioned inventions. Yes the inventors were Muslims but what is the role Islam in all this?

One never sees glorification of Christianity or Judaism for the scientific discoveries made in the west. Mind it, most of the scientific work has taken place there.

Auzer · #4 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searching

This is big misconception. Algebra was first invented in India. It was scholars like Aryabhatta who made headway into it much before the Arabs.
This knowledge was taken to Arabia later.
Later the Europeans learnt about it through the Arabs and that is where it became known to the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History...Indian_algebra

Wikipedia isn't a good source. It is as biased and unauthentic as it gets.

Secondly , no one "invented" Algebra. Algebra doesn't have 'one' definite origin. Babylonians , Greeks , Indians , Arabs etc etc ALL contributed to the vast branch of Mathematics , known as "Algebra" ... 'Algebra' , or "problem solving" , is in human instinct. Originally , 'Algebra' or 'Problem solving' , is in use for 4000 years...It was started by Babylonians , as far as our present history goes...

Having said that ... there is a reason why almost ALL historians attribute Algebra to the Arabs. Algebra of today is shaped by the Arabs/Persians. Arab (not ethnically , but people under Arabic Empire) Mathematicians contributed the most in the development of this branch of Mathematics. Even the word "Algebra" comes from the book written by an Persian Mathematician. Our modern Algebra comes from the Arabs , not from the Babylonians or Indians ... Techniques used by Arab Mathematicians are still used by humans ...Arabs refined the previous works , improved them , removed mistakes from them, contributed massive contributions in them, and took them to the whole new level.Therefore , in the PRESENT world , Arabs are the one's that deserve the most credit of Algebra. Secular Historians of Science are neutral most of the times , and they won't give credit where it doesn't belong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searching

To say that numbers originated in India but Algebra or Arithmetic were invented by Arabs is false and taking away credit from where it should be given.

How come? Numbers "originated" in India...but our numeral system was developed by Arabs.. Putting '0' at the bottom and '9' at the top... Our numbers are written in Arabic and not in Sanskrit...why? Because Arabs took numbers from India and developed our numeral system , not Indians. Secondly , Arabs never took others' credit. They themselves called numbers as "Hindsa" ...meaning "From India" ... so they recognized numbers' relation to India.

And I already explain about Algebra issue... By your methodology , you would have to give all the credit of Europeans to the Muslims because afterall , Europeans got everything from Muslims. But it doesn't work that way... People who make most contributions will get the most credit...

Quote:

Another thing that I don't understand is the glorification of Islam (since the topic is named Influence of Islamic Civilization on our modern world ...) in the above mentioned inventions. Yes the inventors were Muslims but what is the role Islam in all this?

One never sees glorification of Christianity or Judaism for the scientific discoveries made in the west. Mind it, most of the scientific work has taken place there.

I also agree with you on this. This "Islamic Inventions" or "Islamic science" blah blah sounds ridiculous ... but it is not me but the history and historians that name it as such. Not Muslim historians but European one's too ...So will Europeans 'glorify' Islam? Not a chance. So what I understand is this :

Arabs were there for thousands of years...but it was only AFTER Islam that Arabs started this enlightenment..So historically , it was Islam who inspired the desert nomads to create the most enlightened civilization of their time..In the Qur'an and other Islamic Texts , there is a very aggressive emphasis on getting education , research , thinking , observing the universe etc etc..God calls on his followers to "discover the secrets of his vast Universe"..So these texts inspired Arabs to go for scientific search and ingenuity...And Islam was the corner-stone of the Arabic Empire that extended over three-continents starting from the Atlantic and extending all the way to India ...So that civilization was over-all called "Islamic Civilization" as it was inspired by Islam and the inventions were subsequently called 'Islamic Inventions' ..Here one other thing to notice , I think , is that the word "Islamic" can also geography and 'nationality' of the people. Like we'll say "American Inventions" , "Indian inventions" ..Similarly , the inventions from "Islamic-Civilization" would be named as such...

And West got ahead only AFTER the influence of Christianity/Church was decreased..When Christianity used to play the central role in the society , we were in the 'dark-ages' ...

But over-all , I agree that use of the word 'Islamic Inventions' is not a very good idea... But the title of the thread is correct...The "influence" of Islamic-Civilization on our modern world ... If you were living in 16th century , you would have called 'Europe' as "Christian Civilization" too ..

Anyways ...

Peace

Archived_member15 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auzer

And West got ahead only AFTER the influence of Christianity/Church was decreased..When Christianity used to play the central role in the society , we were in the 'dark-ages' ...

This is wrong brother Auzer ji peacesign
You are discounting myths about Islamic civilisation by regurgitating ones that unfairly disparage Christian civilisation. The logic of this eludes me. You are decrying the biased accounts of Islamic civilisation from European scholars while simultaneously using the very same out-dated, spurious arguements that anti-Christian propagandists formulated during the Enlightenment to attack the native religion of their cultures and continent.

Modern historians now discount the "dark ages" idea as a myth. It was invented by Voltaire and Gibbon in the 1700s to slur Christianity and Christian civilisation. They were of course Enlightenment era atheists/irreligious/secularists who idolized ancient Rome. The so-called "Dark Ages" was a time of advancement and believe it or not the Christian religion was a powerful force influencing the foundation of the scientific revolution in Europe and the Renaissance which is why such a revolution took place at all, not because of the rise of secularism or atheism.

In a recent book, Rodney Stark - the world's best sociologist at the moment - demonstrates that faith in God encouraged Catholic and Protestant Christians in Europe to innovate in scientific endeavours. Not only does he go over the development of technology in the so-called "Dark Ages," and show how the "Enlightenment" picture of Copernican era science is a myth, he studies 52 key early scientists, and shows that more than 60 % were "devout," while only two were skeptics.

If you would desire references to him and other historians I will happily give them to you in a PM.

I shouldn't have to even say this because this thread is about Islamic civilisation.

Please, please don't defend Islam by attacking another religion, I' ve asked you this before. You repay harshness with kindness, love in return for hate, blessing for curse.

You often speak much truth in your posts brother Auzer but I would appreciate them a lot more if you ceased from defending your religion by running down Christianity.

There is no need.

Archived_member15 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 06:41 AM

Islamic scholars were crucial in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophical texts to the Latin west, through Arabic translations during the time of the Islamic Golden Age under the Abbasids.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38750

On a personal level, though, I believe that Islamic civilisation's greatest gift to the world was the Sufi movement - the mystical interpretation of the Qur'an which gave us such God-intoxicated luminaries as Rabia al-Basri (Iraq) the saintly Jalaluddin Rumi, Farid al-din Attar of Nishapur, Saadi, Hafiz, Jami (Persia), Ibn Arabi (Spain), Yunus Emre (Turkey), Baba Farid and others in India and many more inspired mystics beside that have had a defining influence on human spirituality.

In 2000 Rumi was acclaimed as America's favourite poet (granted on the whole through dubious interpretations of actual translations by Coleman Barks who can't actually read Persian (Farsi) however Rumi deserves the accolade and it did make people read his actual writings such as the Masnavi and Fihi ma Fihi which are infinetly better).

Few sacred poets anywhere in the world, east or west, have been as articulate in conveying with simple, beautiful, lyrical language an experience that defies human expression - union with God or fana (self-annihilation) as the Sufis call it.

What is your opinion of Sufism brother Auzer ji? kaurhug

"...Looking at my life, I see that only Love has been my soul’s companion. From deep inside my soul cries out: Do not wait, surrender for the sake of Love...."

- Rumi (1207-1273), Persian Sufi & mystic poet

"...Since love has spoken in your soul, reject
The Self, that whirlpool where our lives are wrecked;
As Jesus rode his donkey, ride on it;
Your stubborn Self must bear you and submit -
Then burn this Self and purify your soul;
Let Jesus' spotless spirit be your goal.
Destroy this burden, and before your eyes
The Holy Ghost in glory will arise..."

- Farid al-Din Attar (c.1142--c.1220), Persian Sufi & mystic poet

"...Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain..."

Saadi (1184 - 1283), Persian mystic & Sufi poet

The above quote from Saadi became a motto engraved on the entrance of the United Nations headquarters in New York. These most famous lines, which are inscribed in the Hall of Nations in the UN building in New York City, come from his Gulistan

Auzer · #7 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vouthon

This is wrong brother Auzer ji peacesign
You are discounting myths about Islamic civilisation by regurgitating ones that unfairly disparage Christian civilisation. The logic of this eludes me.

Well brother can you explain what 'myths' about Islamic Civilization I'm pushing? As far as I know , almost all the information in my OP is authentic (in my readings as well as the view of Historians I read). If there's anything , point it out and it will only increase/improve my knowledge.

Quote:

You are decrying the biased accounts of Islamic civilisation from European scholars while simultaneously using the very same out-dated, spurious arguements that anti-Christian propagandists formulated during the Enlightenment to attack the native religion of their cultures and continent.
Modern historians now discount the "dark ages" idea as a myth. It was invented by Voltaire and Gibbon in the 1700s to slur Christianity and Christian civilisation. They were of course Enlightenment era atheists/irreligious/secularists who idolized ancient Rome. The so-called "Dark Ages" was a time of advancement and believe it or not the Christian religion was a powerful force influencing the foundation of the scientific revolution in Europe and the Renaissance which is why such a revolution took place at all, not because of the rise of secularism or atheism.

In a recent book, Rodney Stark - the world's best sociologist at the moment - demonstrates that faith in God encouraged Catholic and Protestant Christians in Europe to innovate in scientific endeavours. Not only does he go over the development of technology in the so-called "Dark Ages," and show how the "Enlightenment" picture of Copernican era science is a myth, he studies 52 key early scientists, and shows that more than 60 % were "devout," while only two were skeptics.

If you would desire references to him and other historians I will happily give them to you in a PM.

I shouldn't have to even say this because this thread is about Islamic civilisation.

Please, please don't defend Islam by attacking another religion, I' ve asked you this before. You repay harshness with kindness, love in return for hate, blessing for curse.

You often speak much truth in your posts brother Auzer but I would appreciate them a lot more if you ceased from defending your religion by running down Christianity.

There is no need.

Well I apologize brother if my post offended you. I'm really sorry. I was just trying to kinda explain that why historians use the term "Islamic-Civilization" or "Islamic Science" , when referring to the Arab/Persian civilizations under Islamic rule. Regarding the view about religion and the science in the West , well brother its not my fault nor I was trying to target Christianity here. It is a general Western view point that is taught in schools , public life , and academics...isn't it brother? Western Civilization became "secular" (without God) due to Church's oppression...again I'm not trying to put you down or your beautiful Catholic faith but this is what I have learned in my formal and informal Western studies..

And pleas share some good articles of the authors you mentioned. It will help me in widening my view....

Again sorry if I somehow offended you.

Auzer · #8 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vouthon

Islamic scholars were crucial in the transmission of ancient Greek philosophical texts to the Latin west, through Arabic translations during the time of the Islamic Golden Age under the Abbasids.

On a personal level, though, I believe that Islamic civilisation's greatest gift to the world was the Sufi movement - the mystical interpretation of the Qur'an which gave us such God-intoxicated luminaries as Rabia al-Basri (Iraq) the saintly Jalaluddin Rumi, Farid al-din Attar of Nishapur, Saadi, Hafiz, Jami (Persia), Ibn Arabi (Spain), Yunus Emre (Turkey), Baba Farid and others in India and many more inspired mystics beside that have had a defining influence on human spirituality.

In 2000 Rumi was acclaimed as America's favourite poet (granted on the whole through dubious interpretations of actual translations by Coleman Barks who can't actually read Persian (Farsi) however Rumi deserves the accolade and it did make people read his actual writings such as the Masnavi and Fihi ma Fihi which are infinetly better).

Few sacred poets anywhere in the world, east or west, have been as articulate in conveying with simple, beautiful, lyrical language an experience that defies human expression - union with God or fana (self-annihilation) as the Sufis call it.

What is your opinion of Sufism brother Auzer ji? kaurhug

"...Looking at my life, I see that only Love has been my soul’s companion. From deep inside my soul cries out: Do not wait, surrender for the sake of Love...."

- Rumi (1207-1273), Persian Sufi & mystic poet

"...Since love has spoken in your soul, reject
The Self, that whirlpool where our lives are wrecked;
As Jesus rode his donkey, ride on it;
Your stubborn Self must bear you and submit -
Then burn this Self and purify your soul;
Let Jesus' spotless spirit be your goal.
Destroy this burden, and before your eyes
The Holy Ghost in glory will arise..."

- Farid al-Din Attar (c.1142--c.1220), Persian Sufi & mystic poet

"...Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain.

If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain..."

Saadi (1184 - 1283), Persian mystic & Sufi poet

The above quote from Saadi became a motto engraved on the entrance of the United Nations headquarters in New York. These most famous lines, which are inscribed in the Hall of Nations in the UN building in New York City, come from his Gulistan

Thanks for the post brother!

And oh yes! Sufi mystic poets are just amazing. Even though I read their poetry in "English" , I still enjoy it...I wonder how lucky are those people who read their poetry in its pure form (in the language those poet spoke) ...

My views of Sufism are very positive. Sufism is what made Islam grow in South Asia etc... Sufi Islam holds great oceans of spirituality in it ...Its very peaceful ....

Many of the members are a of sub-continental origin.... do you guys know about some Punjabi Sufi poets? There are many , I heard.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 07-Jul-2012, 10:31 AM

ARE those Islamic Scholars really respected as solid Muslims by those in control of islam Today ?? i think NOT..IF any one of those Islamic Scholars were to be found in say Saudi Arabia..He would be Caught and Prosecuted as a Heretic/apostate or worse beheaded instead of being glorified....IT was a Totally DIFFERENT ISLAM that existed during the Golden Age of Islam....Todays Islam is not shining at all...juts look at Al Qaida.... suicide bombers and all....very Backward type of religious teachings being propagated all over..Lets have an article about the PRODUCTS of MODERN SLAM...scientists, astronomers whatever >?? How many ???