Rise and Decline of Science in Islam (2017)
In 2017, the documentary Rise and Decline of Science in Islam embarked on a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between Islamic civilization and scientific progress.
Directed by Mark Dowd, the film dives into the rise, zenith, and subsequent decline of Islamic contributions to human knowledge.
With approximately 1.6 billion adherents, Islam stands as the second-largest religion globally. Yet, its representation within the scientific community remains disproportionately small.
Only two individuals from Muslim-majority countries have ever been awarded Nobel Prizes in science.
However, this was not always the case. Many centuries ago, the Islamic faith fostered some of the world’s most progressive advances in physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and other disciplines.
The documentary transports us to the Islamic Golden Age, a period spanning from the 8th to the 14th century.
During this era, scholars in the Islamic world made groundbreaking strides in various fields. Algebra, optics, medicine, and astronomy flourished, and the House of Wisdom in Baghdad became a beacon of intellectual exchange.
The film introduces us to luminaries such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen). These polymaths synthesized knowledge from ancient Greece, Persia, and India, contributing to the flourishing of science and philosophy.
Islamic scholars translated and preserved ancient Greek texts, including works by Aristotle and Euclid. Their efforts bridged the gap between classical antiquity and the European Renaissance.
The Mongol siege of Baghdad in 1258 marked a turning point. The destruction of the House of Wisdom and the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate disrupted the scientific ecosystem.
Political instability, religious conservatism, and the narrowing of intellectual horizons stifled further progress.
The film confronts the stark contrast between the past and the present. It raises critical questions about the factors contributing to the current lack of scientific accomplishments within Muslim-majority nations.
Rise and Decline of Science in Islam invites viewers to reflect on the legacy of Islamic scholars and the challenges faced by today’s scientists.
It underscores the importance of nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and open inquiry to reignite the flame of scientific exploration within the Islamic world.
As we navigate the complexities of faith, culture, and knowledge, this documentary serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of science transcends borders and enriches humanity as a whole.
