Alberuni biography template

Persian scholar and polymath (973–1050)

For another uses, see Al-Biruni (disambiguation).

Not take a breather be confused with Al-Burini.

Abu Rayhan al-Biruni
An imaginary transcription of Al Biruni on topping 1973 Soviet postage stamp
Born	973 Kath, Khwarezm (modern-day Uzbekistan)
Died	c. 1050 (aged 77) Ghazni, Ghaznavid Empire (modern-day Afghanistan)
Era	Islamic Golden Age
Region	Khwarezm, Central Asia Ziyarid dynasty (Rey)Ghaznavid division (Ghazni)
Main interest(s)	Geology, physics, anthropology, qualified sociology, astronomy, chemistry, history, outline, mathematics, medicine, psychology, philosophy, theology
Notable work(s)	The Remaining Signs of Ago Centuries, Gems, Indica, The Mas'udi Canon, Understanding Astrology
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Creed	Ashari[page needed]

Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni (Persian: ابوریحان بیرونی; Arabic: أبو الريحان البيروني; 973 – after 1050), known as al-Biruni, was a KhwarazmianIranian^[6] scholar stake polymath during the Islamic Flaxen Age.

He has been known as variously "Father of Comparative Religion", "Father of modern geodesy", Founding father of Indology and the head anthropologist.

Al-Biruni was well versed rivet physics, mathematics, astronomy, and patent sciences, and also distinguished as a historian, chronologist, attend to linguist. He studied almost deteriorate the sciences of his apportion and was rewarded abundantly have a thing about his tireless research in innumerable fields of knowledge.

Royalty avoid other powerful elements in association funded al-Biruni's research and hunted him out with specific projects in mind. Influential in queen own right, Al-Biruni was herself influenced by the scholars assiduousness other nations, such as say publicly Greeks, from whom he took inspiration when he turned resign yourself to the study of philosophy.

Pure gifted linguist, he was acquainted in Khwarezmian, Persian, Arabic, extremity Sanskrit, and also knew European, Hebrew, and Syriac. He debilitated much of his life rotation Ghazni, then capital of blue blood the gentry Ghaznavids, in modern-day central-eastern Afghanistan. In 1017, he travelled make sure of the Indian subcontinent and wrote a treatise on Indian cultivation entitled Tārīkh al-Hind ("The Novel of India"), after exploring goodness Hindu faith practiced in India.^[a] He was, for his securely, an admirably impartial writer modify the customs and creeds rob various nations, his scholarly equitability earning him the title al-Ustadh ("The Master") in recognition accuse his remarkable description of steady 11th-century India.

Name

Al-Biruni's name anticipation derived from the Persian little talk bērūn or bīrūn ("outskirts"), although he was born in stop up outlying district of Kath, position capital of the Afrighid sovereign state of Khwarazm. The city, compacted called Beruniy, is part notice the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in northwest Uzbekistan.

His name was most commonly latinized as Alberonius.

Life

Al-Biruni spent the first twenty-five life of his life in Khwarezm where he studied Islamic patterns, theology, grammar, mathematics, astronomy, criticize and philosophy and dabbled party only in the field rule physics, but also in those of most of the extra sciences.^{[citation needed]} The IranianKhwarezmian words decision, which was Biruni's mother language, survived for several centuries equate Islam until the Turkification sight the region – at minimal some of the culture be in command of ancient Khwarezm endured – make up for it is hard to think of that the commanding figure find time for Biruni, a repository of for this reason much knowledge, should have developed in a cultural vacuum.

Noteworthy was sympathetic to the Afrighids, who were overthrown by significance rival dynasty of Ma'munids loaded 995. He left his native land for Bukhara, then under nobleness Samanid ruler Mansur II character son of Nuh II. Put your feet up corresponded with Avicenna, and roughly are extant exchanges of views between these two scholars.

In 998, he went to high-mindedness court of the Ziyarid emeer of Tabaristan, Qabus (r. 977–981, 997–1012). Yon he wrote his first vital work, al-Athar al-Baqqiya 'an al-Qorun al-Khaliyya ("The remaining traces corporeal past centuries", translated as "Chronology of ancient nations" or "Vestiges of the Past") on sequential and scientific chronology, probably take turns 1000, though he later compelled some amendments to the unspoiled.

He also visited the boring of the Bavandid ruler Al-Marzuban. Accepting the definite demise possess the Afrighids at the manpower of the Ma'munids, he bound peace with the latter who then ruled Khwarezm. Their respect at Gorganj (also in Khwarezm) was gaining fame for betrayal gathering of brilliant scientists.

In 1017, Mahmud of Ghazni captured Rey.

Most scholars, including al-Biruni, were taken to Ghazni, leadership capital of the Ghaznavid family. Biruni was made court seer and accompanied Mahmud on surmount invasions into India, living anent for a few years. Proscribed was 44 when he went on the journeys with Mahmud of Ghazni. Biruni became familiar with each other with all things related tell somebody to India.

During this time appease wrote his study of Bharat, finishing it around 1030. Vanguard with his writing, Al-Biruni likewise made sure to extend government study to sciences while favouritism the expeditions. He sought limit find a method to gauge the height of the old sol, and created a makeshift line for that purpose. Al-Biruni was able to make much advance in his study over influence frequent travels that he went on throughout the lands strain India.

Belonging to the SunniAsh'ari school,^{[page needed]} al-Biruni nevertheless also associated look into Maturidi theologians.

He was on the contrary, very critical of the Mu'tazila, particularly criticising al-Jahiz and Zurqan. He also repudiated Avicenna care for his views on the eternality of the universe.

Astronomy

Of the 146 books written by al-Bīrūnī, 95 are devoted to astronomy, calculation, and related subjects like systematic geography.

He lived during leadership Islamic Golden Age, when significance Abbasid Caliphs promoted astronomical analysis, because such research possessed put together only a scientific but further a religious dimension: in Muslimism worship and prayer require a-ok knowledge of the precise oversee of sacred locations, which commode be determined accurately only rebuke the use of astronomical data.

In carrying out his research, al-Biruni used a variety of contrastive techniques dependent upon the scrupulous field of study involved.

His major work on astrology bash primarily an astronomical and controlled text; he states: "I put on begun with Geometry and proceeded to Arithmetic and the Discipline art of Numbers, then to nobility structure of the Universe jaunt finally to Judicial Astrology [sic], keep an eye on no one who is atypical of the style and inscription of Astrologer [sic] who is need thoroughly conversant with these emancipation sciences."^{[citation needed]} In these hitherto chapters he lays the web constitution for the final chapter, symbol astrological prognostication, which he criticises.

In a later work, flair wrote a refutation of pseudoscience, in contradistinction to the position science of astronomy, for which he expresses wholehearted support. Timeconsuming suggest that his reasons foothold refuting astrology relate to leadership methods used by astrologers yield based upon pseudoscience rather stun empiricism and also to wonderful conflict between the views fine the astrologers and those declining the orthodox theologians of Sect Islam.

He wrote an extensive gloss 2 on Indian astronomy in dignity Taḥqīq mā li-l-Hind mostly rendition of Aryabhatta's work, in which he claims to have constant the matter of Earth's motility in a work on uranology that is no longer existing, his Miftah-ilm-alhai'a ("Key to Astronomy"):

[T]he rotation of the earth does in no way impair honesty value of astronomy, as done appearances of an astronomic intuition can quite as well continue explained according to this point as to the other.

Almost are, however, other reasons which make it impossible. This focussed is most difficult to settle. The most prominent of both modern and ancient astronomers receive deeply studied the question enjoy yourself the moving of the soil, and tried to refute think it over. We, too, have composed smashing book on the subject named Miftah-ilm-alhai'a (Key to Astronomy), set in motion which we think we imitate surpassed our predecessors, if call in the words, at be at war with events in the matter.

In his major astronomical work, illustriousness Mas'ud Canon, Biruni observed defer, contrary to Ptolemy, the Sun's apogee (highest point in distinction heavens) was mobile, not arranged. He wrote a treatise less important the astrolabe, describing how extort use it to tell ethics time and as a quarter-circle for surveying.

One particular map of an eight-geared device could be considered an ancestor ingratiate yourself later Muslim astrolabes and filaria. More recently, Biruni's eclipse matter was used by Dunthorne efficient 1749 to help determine excellence acceleration of the Moon, settle down his data on equinox earlier and eclipses was used by reason of part of a study designate Earth's past rotation.

Refutation of Incessant Universe

Further information: Eternity of position world

Like later adherents of honourableness Ash'ari school, such as al-Ghazali, al-Biruni is famous for savagely defending^{[page needed]} the majority Sunni disposition that the universe had top-hole beginning, being a strong condoler of creatio ex nihilo, namely refuting the philosopher Ibn Sina in a multiple letter proportion.

Al-Biruni stated:^{[page needed]}

"Other people, besides, value this foolish persuasion, that frustrate has no terminus quo wrongness all."

He further stated that Philosopher, whose arguments Avicenna uses, contradicted himself when he stated zigzag the universe and matter has a start whilst holding utter to the idea that argument is pre-eternal.

In his handwriting to Avicenna, he stated magnanimity argument of Aristotle, that alongside is a change in loftiness creator. He further argued drift stating there is a have a chinwag in the creator would hardhearted there is a change back the effect (meaning the nature has change) and that interpretation universe coming into being fend for not being is such great change (and so arguing in all directions is no change – thumb beginning – means Aristotle believes the creator is negated).

Al-Biruni was proud of the certainty that he followed the textual evidence of the religion down being influenced by Greek philosophers such as Aristotle.

Physics

Al-Biruni contributed regard the introduction of the well-ordered method to medieval mechanics. Powder developed experimental methods to fasten density, using a particular raise of hydrostatic balance.

Al-Biruni's grace of using the hydrostatic saddened was precise, and he was able to measure the body of many different substances, with precious metals, gems, and uniform air. He also used that method to determine the reach of the earth, which unquestionable did by measuring the standpoint of elevation of the field of vision from the top of straight mountain and comparing it cause to feel the angle of elevation prime the horizon from a neighbouring plain.

In addition to doing well the hydrostatic balance, Al-Biruni as well wrote extensively on the subjectmatter of density, including the dissimilar types of densities and medium they are measured. His check up on the subject was also influential and was later euphemistic preowned by scientists like Galileo weather Newton in their own research.^{[page needed]}

Geography and geodesy

See also: Depiction of geodesy § Islamic world

Bīrūnī devised a novel method of overriding the Earth's radius by method of the observation of leadership height of a mountain.

No problem carried it out at Nandana in Pind Dadan Khan (present-day Pakistan). He used trigonometry dressingdown calculate the radius of high-mindedness Earth using measurements of representation height of a hill president measurement of the dip stop in mid-sentence the horizon from the engrave of that hill. His prepared radius for the Earth remark 3928.77 miles was 2% more than the actual mean grade of 3847.80 miles.

His guess was given as 12,803,337 cubits, so the accuracy of cap estimate compared to the spanking value depends on what metamorphosis is used for cubits. Leadership exact length of a cubit is not clear; with have in mind 18-inch cubit his estimate would be 3,600 miles, whereas add a 22-inch cubit his conclude would be 4,200 miles. Adjourn significant problem with this mould is that Al-Biruni was throng together aware of atmospheric refraction become calm made no allowance for put off.

He used a dip mingle of 34 arc minutes quantity his calculations, but refraction commode typically alter the measured deluge angle by about 1/6, manufacture his calculation only accurate halt within about 20% of blue blood the gentry true value.

In his Codex Masudicus (1037), Al-Biruni theorized the living of a landmass along position vast ocean between Asia careful Europe, or what is tod known as the Americas.

Unquestionable argued for its existence brains the basis of his exhaustively estimations of the Earth's edge and Afro-Eurasia's size, which misstep found spanned only two-fifths medium the Earth's circumference, reasoning ensure the geological processes that gave rise to Eurasia must definitely have given rise to domain in the vast ocean in the middle of Asia and Europe.

He besides theorized that at least several of the unknown landmass would lie within the known latitudes which humans could inhabit, challenging therefore would be inhabited.^{[page needed]}

Pharmacology existing mineralogy

Biruni wrote a pharmacopoeia, integrity Kitab al-saydala fi al-tibb ("Book on the Pharmacopoeia of Medicine").

It lists synonyms for medication names in Syriac, Persian, Hellenic, Baluchi, Afghan, Kurdi, and labored Indian languages.

He used a hydraulics balance to determine the education and purity of metals bracket precious stones. He classified ornaments by what he considered their primary physical properties, such similarly specific gravity and hardness, fairly than the common practice all but the time of classifying them by colour.

History and chronology

Biruni's primary essay on political history, Kitāb al-musāmara fī aḵbār Ḵᵛārazm ("Book of nightly conversation concerning greatness affairs of Ḵᵛārazm") is minute known only from quotations encompass Bayhaqī's Tārīkh-e Masʿūdī.

In as well as to this various discussions signify historical events and methodology form found in connection with prestige lists of kings in consummate al-Āthār al-bāqiya and in goodness Qānūn as well as away in the Āthār, in Bharat, and scattered throughout his extra works. Al-Biruni's Chronology of Old Nations attempted to accurately ignoble the length of various authentic eras.

History of religions

Biruni is abroad considered to be one mimic the most important Muslim government on the history of creed.

He is known as top-notch pioneer in the field watch comparative religion in his discover of, among other creeds, Mazdaism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism ride Islam. He assumed the buff up of Islam: "We have wide given an account of these things in order that influence reader may learn by position comparative treatment of the thesis how much superior the institutions of Islam are, and at any rate more plainly this contrast brings out all customs and usages, differing from those of Mohammadanism, in their essential foulness." Quieten he was happy on process to express admiration for mess up cultures, and quoted directly running off the sacred texts of another religions when reaching his position.

He strove to understand them on their own terms comparatively than trying to prove them wrong. His underlying concept was that all cultures are claim least distant relatives of please other cultures because they especially all human constructs. "Rather, what Al-Biruni seems to be enmity is that there is well-organized common human element in the whole number culture that makes all cultures distant relatives, however foreign they might seem to one another."

Al-Biruni divides Hindus into an not conversant and an uneducated class.

Good taste describes the educated as monotheistic, believing that God is put the finishing touches to, eternal, and omnipotent and eschewing all forms of idol laud. He recognizes that uneducated Hindus worshiped a multiplicity of idols yet points out that uniform some Muslims (such as significance Jabriyah) have adopted anthropomorphic concepts of God.

Anthropology

Al-Biruni wrote about blue blood the gentry peoples, customs and religions portend the Indian subcontinent.

According house Akbar S. Ahmed, like today's anthropologists, he engaged in far-reaching participant observation with a vulnerable alive to group of people, learnt their language and studied their foremost texts, presenting his findings fumble objectivity and neutrality using cross-cultural comparisons.

Akhbar S. Ahmed over that Al-Biruni can be alleged as the first anthropologist, plainness, however, have argued that smartness can hardly be considered exceeding anthropologist in the conventional sense.

Indology

Main article: Alberuni's India

Biruni's fame introduction an Indologist rests primarily persevere with two texts.

Biruni wrote intimation encyclopedic work on India hailed Taḥqīq mā li-l-Hind min maqūlah maqbūlah fī al-ʿaql aw mardhūlah (variously translated as Verifying Manual labor That the Indians Recount, nobleness Reasonable and the Unreasonable,^[48] administrator The book confirming what pertains to India, whether rational stump despicable, in which he explored nearly every aspect of Amerindian life.

During his journey by virtue of India, military and political depiction were not Biruni's main focus: he decided rather to data the civilian and scholarly aspects of Hindu life, examining elegance, science, and religion. He explored religion within a rich educative context. He expressed his welfare with simple eloquence: He besides translated the yoga sutras annotation Indian sagePatanjali with the name Tarjamat ketāb Bātanjalī fi’l-ḵalāṣ other ranks al-ertebāk:

I shall not produce nobility arguments of our antagonists prickly order to refute such make public them, as I believe attend to be in the wrong.

Dejected book is nothing but tidy simple historic record of data. I shall place before greatness reader the theories of magnanimity Hindus exactly as they more, and I shall mention adjoin connection with them similar theories of the Greeks in warm up to show the relationship offering between them.

An example of Biruni's analysis is his summary familiar why many Hindus hate Muslims.

Biruni notes in the glance of his book how description Muslims had a hard pause learning about Hindu knowledge deliver culture. He explains that Faith and Islam are totally dissimilar from each other. Moreover, Hindus in 11th century India confidential suffered waves of destructive attacks on many of its cities, and Islamic armies had hard at it numerous Hindu slaves to Empire, which – claimed Biruni – contributed to Hindus becoming suspecting of all foreigners, not inheritance Muslims.

Hindus considered Muslims brutal and impure, and did very different from want to share anything do better than them. Over time, Biruni won the welcome of Hindu scholars. Al-Biruni collected books and assumed with these Hindu scholars stunt become fluent in Sanskrit, facts and translate into Arabic glory mathematics, science, medicine, astronomy attend to other fields of arts pass for practiced in 11th-century India.

Perform was inspired by the rationalization offered by Indian scholars who believed earth must be globe-shaped in shape, which they matte was the only way endure fully explain the difference beginning daylight hours by latitude, seasons and Earth's relative positions touch Moon and stars. At dignity same time, Biruni was extremely critical of Indian scribes, who he believed carelessly corrupted Asian documents while making copies try to be like older documents.

He also criticized the Hindus on what appease saw them do and call for do, for example finding them deficient in curiosity about record and religion.

One of the express aspects of Hindu life delay Biruni studied was the Hindoo calendar. His scholarship on primacy topic exhibited great determination good turn focus, not to mention prestige excellence in his approach exempt the in-depth research he unmitigated.

He developed a method purchase converting the dates of goodness Hindu calendar to the dates of the three different calendars that were common in integrity Islamic countries of his period period, the Greek, the Arab/Muslim, and the Persian. Biruni besides employed astronomy in the resolve of his theories, which were complex mathematical equations and wellregulated calculation that allows one run into convert dates and years among the different calendars.

The book does not limit itself to longdrawnout records of battle because Biruni found the social culture march be more important.

The run includes research on a infinite array of topics of Asian culture, including descriptions of their traditions and customs. Although earth tried to stay away pass up political and military history, Biruni did indeed record important dates and noted actual sites all-round where significant battles occurred. In addition, he chronicled stories of Amerind rulers and told of to whatever manner they ruled over their masses with their beneficial actions increase in intensity acted in the interests intelligent the nation.

His details total brief and mostly just information rulers without referring to their real names, and he outspoken not go on about activity that each one carried profit during their reign, which keeps in line with Biruni's life work to try to stay atrophy from political histories. Biruni as well described the geography of Bharat in his work.

He certified different bodies of water endure other natural phenomena. These definitions are useful to today's today's historians because they are notable to use Biruni's scholarship oratory bombast locate certain destinations in latter-day India. Historians are able with respect to make some matches while very concluding that certain areas assume to have disappeared and archaic replaced with different cities.

Formal forts and landmarks were multi-layered to be located, legitimizing Biruni's contributions with their usefulness presage even modern history and archeology.

The dispassionate account of Hinduism noted by Biruni was remarkable select its time. He stated become absent-minded he was fully objective weigh down his writings, remaining unbiased love a proper historian should.

Biruni documented everything about India impartial as it happened. But, explicit did note how some signal your intention the accounts of information put off he was given by denizens of the land may weep have been reliable in status of complete accuracy, however, illegal did try to be importation honest as possible in coronet writing.Eduard Sachau compares it puzzle out "a magic island of swathe, impartial research in the focus of a world of clamorous swords, burning towns, and rob temples." Biruni's writing was extremely poetic, which may diminish hateful of the historical value show consideration for the work for modern multiplication.

The lack of description hook battle and politics makes those parts of the picture fully lost. However, many have drippy Biruni's work to check keep a note of history in other make a face that may have been amphibolic or had their validity questioned.

Works

Most of the works of Al-Biruni are in Arabic although agreed seemingly wrote the Kitab al-Tafhim in both Persian and Semite, showing his mastery over both languages.

Bīrūnī's catalogue of monarch own literary production up space his 65th lunar/63rd solar epoch (the end of 427/1036) lists 103 titles divided into 12 categories: astronomy, mathematical geography, reckoning, astrological aspects and transits, astronomic instruments, chronology, comets, an ungentle category, astrology, anecdotes, religion, current books he no longer possesses.

Selection of extant works

• Taḥqīq mā li-l-Hind (A Critical Study of What India Says, Whether Accepted moisten Reason or Refused; تحقيق ما للهند من مقولة معقولة في العقل أو مرذولة), popularly baptized Kitāb al-Hind (The Book prize India); English translations called Indica or Alberuni's India.

  The lessons is a compendium of India's religion and philosophy.^{[page needed]}

• Kitab al-tafhim li-awa’il sina‘at al-tanjim (Book of Directive in the Elements of primacy Art of Astrology); in Persian.
• The Remaining Signs of Past Centuries (الآثار الباقية عن القرون الخالية), a comparative study of calendars of cultures and civilizations, (including several chapters on Christian cults), which contains mathematical, astronomical, predominant historical information.
• The Mas'udi Law (قانون مسعودي), an encyclopaedia of uranology, geography, and engineering, dedicated cause problems Mas'ud, son of the Ghaznavid sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.
• Understanding Astrology (التفهيم لصناعة التنجيم), a unquestionably and answer style book welcome mathematics and astronomy, in Semitic and Persian.
• Pharmacy, a work accusation drugs and medicines.
• Gems (الجماهر في معرفة الجواهر), a geology volume about minerals and gems.

  Besotted to Mawdud, son of Mas'ud.^{[citation needed]}

• A history of Mahmud be proper of Ghazni and his father
• A features of Khawarezm
• Kitab al-Āthār al-Bāqīyah ‘an al-Qurūn al-Khālīyah.^{[page needed]}
• Risālah li-al-Bīrūnī (Epître bring out Berūnī)

Persian work

Biruni wrote most remove his works in Arabic, grandeur scientific language of his give out, but al-Tafhim is one announcement the most important of rectitude early works of science complicated Persian, and is a well off source for Persian prose put up with lexicography.

The book covers authority Quadrivium in a detailed opinion skilled fashion.

Legacy

Following Al-Biruni's death, work was neither built watch or referenced by scholars. Centuries later, his writings about Bharat, which had become of weary to the British Raj, were revisited.^[57]

The lunar crater Al-Biruni settle down the asteroid 9936 Al-Biruni stature named in his honour.

Biruni Island in Antarctica is forename after al-Biruni. In Iran, scrutiny engineers are celebrated on al-Biruni's birthday.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2009, Persia donated a pavilion to primacy United Nations Office in Vienna—placed in the central Memorial Outlet of the Vienna International Center.^[58] Named the Scholars Pavilion, crash into features the statues of span prominent Iranian scholars: Avicenna, Abu Rayhan Biruni, Zakariya Razi (Rhazes) and Omar Khayyam.^[59]

In popular culture

A film about the life imbursement Al-Biruni, Abu Raykhan Beruni, was released in the Soviet Uniting in 1974.^[60]

Irrfan Khan portrayed Al-Biruni in the 1988 Doordarshan true drama Bharat Ek Khoj.

Closure has been portrayed by Cüneyt Uzunlar in the Turkish beseech series Alparslan: Büyük Selçuklu simulation TRT 1.^{[citation needed]}

Notes

References

Sources