Muslim countries frequently make headlines for their attacks on freedom of expression,
sexuality, education, or anything considered pro-western.
But few people know that Islam once embraced these institutions, in a period of history
scholars refer to as ‘the Golden Age’, which notably coincided with the European
Dark Ages.
So what exactly was the Golden Age of Islam?
Well, most historians understand the Islamic Golden Age as a period of history under the
Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled from the 8th to 13th century.
At the time, Islam was only about a century old, and concentrated in the Arabian Peninsula,
the Mediterranean, and North Africa.
Once the Abbasids took over and formed a caliphate, the capitol was moved to Baghdad, and Islam
spread to other regions.
The Abbasids were inspired by verses from the Quran and Hadiths that emphasized the
value of knowledge, rather than just religious devotion, and they strongly pushed for advances
in science, art, and commerce.
One of the most unique features of the Islamic Golden Age was its inclusivity.
In Baghdad, the ruling caliph created a House of Wisdom.
Here, Christian and Jewish scholars were invited to join their Muslim counterparts to share
ideas, information and creative work, which was all translated into Arabic.
These scholars carried out a variety of state-funded research projects, resulting in the islamic
world’s first astronomical observatory and one of the most detailed world maps of the
time.
The House of Wisdom also fostered a considerable amount of scientific, philosophical, and scholarly
works.
Many Golden Age scholars put their studies to practical use, particularly in the field
of medicine and healthcare.
Physicians and philosophers wrote medical encyclopedias and textbooks that were used
for centuries.
One famous Persian physician was the first to differentiate between smallpox and measles.
By the 10th century, pharmacies were a staple in most Muslim cities, and Hospitals stayed
open 24 hours.
This era even saw a sort-of universal health care, as hospitals were forbidden to turn
away the poor.
The period also gave way to some of the world’s first universities, as well as countless works
of art, including architecture, literature and poetry.
The golden age also saw the foundation of Sufism, which is a mystical Islamic philosophy
that promotes peace, education and philanthropy.
Millions of people still adhere to Sufism, and the practice has been promoted as an alternative
to radical forms of Islam.
Most historians mark the 13th century as the end of the Golden Age, when Genghis Khan and
his Mongol army conquered much of East Asia, including the Islamic Caliphate.
In 1258, the Mongols destroyed Baghdad and the House of Wisdom, anecdotally throwing
so many books into the Tigris River that it ran black with ink.
The Caliphate was completely demolished.
Had history played out differently, there’s no telling what Islam would look like today.