Islamic Contribution Smoosh Book
7.2.6 Understand the intellectual exchanges among Muslim scholars of Eurasia and Africa and the
contributions Muslim scholars made to later civilizations in the areas of science, geography, mathematics,
philosophy, medicine, art, and literature.
Create a smoosh book, otherwise known as a Foldable.
Cover Page:
 On the top write the title “Islamic Contributions”
 Draw an image that represents Islam.
 On the bottom write your name, date and period.
Inside Pages:
 Write the topic on the top.
 Write the contribution under the topic. (chose a contribution for the topic)
 At the bottom of the page write a 1 sentence description of the contribution in your own
words.
Islamic Contribution Topics
Medical
Mathematics
Education
Art
Architecture
Literature
Back Cover:
 Write the title at the top: Seeking Knowledge in Islam
 Summarize the last section, “Seeking Knowledge in Islam”, in your own words using a complete
sentence.
 Draw an image that represents your summary sentence.
Rubric
4
Each page contains all
components. All
contributions match
the topic. Each topic
has a complete
sentence that describes
the contribution. The
back cover summary is
an original complete
sentence.
3
6-8 pages contain all
components. 6-8
contributions match
the topic. 6-8 topics
have a complete
sentence that describes
the contribution. The
back cover summary is
a complete sentence.
2
5-7 pages contain all
components. 5-7
contributions match
the topic. 5-7 topics
have a complete
sentence that describes
the contribution. The
back cover summary is
a sentence.
1
Half or less of the pages
contain all components.
Half or less of the
contributions match
the topic. Half or less of
the topics have a
complete sentence that
describes the
contribution.
The Islamic Golden Age 750-1500 A.D.
During the Middle Ages, Muslim cities such as Baghdad, Istanbul, Cairo, Tripoli and Cordoba
became cultural and intellectual centers where theologians, scholars, scientists, artists, writers,
philosophers, mathematicians and others gathered for scholarship, experimentation and discovery.
Famous Muslims from the Islamic Golden Age
A large number of Muslims made historical achievements during the Islamic Renaissance. Only a few
are listed below.
 Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi, regarded as the "father of modern surgery," invented and documented
more than two hundred surgical instruments. He was also a pioneer in the use of anesthesia.
 Abu Ali al-Hasan (Alhazen) is famous for his groundbreaking work in the field of optics.
 Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi developed algebra and algorithms.
 Ibn al-Nafis was the first person to accurately describe the human circulatory system. He also
authored Islamic texts and the first work of science fiction, Theologus Autodidactus.
 Abu Bakr al-Razi, the "father of pediatrics," wrote the first book which specialized in childhood
diseases. He also discovered the relationship between bacteria and infections, and initiated the
use of antiseptics to clean wounds.
 Ibn Sina (Avicenna) compiled the famous 14-volume medical encyclopedia, The Canon of
Medicine (the Qanun). Completed in 1025, The Canon of Medicine remained a medical standard
in the West up until the early 19th century.
Other Contributions in the Islamic Golden Age
 The world's oldest degree-issuing university, Al-Karaouine, was established in Fez (Morocco) in
859 and the first full university, Al Azhar, opened in Cairo (Egypt) in 975.
 Distillation, filtration, crystallization, evaporation and other chemical processes were introduced
by Muslim alchemists.
 The first pharmacies were established in Baghdad in the 8th century.
 Spherical trigonometry, analytical geometry, integral calculus and many other advances were
made by Muslim mathematicians.
 Many masterpieces of Islamic architecture were built, including the Alhambra in Granada
(Spain), the Great Mosque of Xi'an (China), the Great Mosque at Cordoba (Spain), and the Great
Mosque of Samarra (Iraq).
 The world's first observatories, public hospitals, psychiatric institutions and universities emerged
in the medieval Islamic world.
 The renowned work of Arabic fiction, One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights), took
shape between the 10th and 14th centuries.
 Exquisite works of Islamic art were produced in ceramics, woodworking, painting, calligraphy,
carpet making, mosaics and more.
End of the Islamic Golden Age
The Crusades, invasions, and a number of plagues weakened the Islamic world and ended the Islamic
Golden Age. The Islamic Caliphate ended in 1924.
Seeking Knowledge in Islam
The accomplishments of the Islamic Golden Age reflect the belief that learning is a duty of Muslims
and is something that pleases Allah (God).
“Any person who goes along a course seeking knowledge, Allah will make for him the path to
Paradise easy because of it.” – Qur’an
Muslims are not only expected to seek knowledge of the Qur'an and religious studies, but must seek
knowledge in many fields and disciplines.