Most Important Muslim Innovations

People are so proud of their advancements in algebra, but where would the world be if Muslims hadn’t created algebra to begin with? Many Islamic innovations were created hundreds of years ago, but still have a major impact on many people’s everyday lives. Astronomy, Mathematics, and Geography are three of the most important Muslim innovations of all time.

Others argue that architecture is the most important Islamic innovation, or at least one of the top three. But while architecture is important to culture and history, according to the My World History textbook “ Muslim architects built breathtaking mosques, fountains, gates, gardens, baths, and palaces.” it isn’t as important as math. Mathematics is one of the most important Muslim Innovations that is used in modern history. Many people have jobs that include math. The Muslims created Arabic Numerals; which is what people use today. According to the My World History textbook “Arab Mathematicians used a decimal system based on Indian numerals, this system included the concept of zero.” Now
zero may not seem like very much to most, however add a zero to the end of a 10, and the sum is 100. Our system of currency uses both Arabic Numerals and the concept of zero. So in other words, the U.S.A wouldn’t have the system of currency it does now without the Muslims.

Many may say that philosophy is the most important Islamic innovation.
However while their writings are important, they aren’t the most important or even part of the three most important Muslim innovations. Astronomy may seem geeky, however it is very important in modern history. Astronomy is yet another example of a majorly important Islamic innovation, because in the olden days, sailors used astronomy to navigate themselves to their destination. According to the My World History textbook, “ Scientists used astronomy to improve their understanding of time, which let them build better clocks.” Muslims also improved the astrolabe, a device that allows people to calculate where they are on Earth. Muslims created charts that showed the positions of stars and planets. This helped them measure the size of earth and develop a precise calendar system, and yet none of this would have been possible had it not been for the
Muslims.

Many people argue that medicine is the most important Islamic innovation, while medicine is important, it isn’t as important as geography. What people fail to realize is that without geography, we wouldn’t go on vacation. We wouldn’t know where we are in the world. Geography and astronomy go hand in hand, so if astronomy is one of the most important innovations, naturally geography would be one too. People like sailors, explorers, and even just random people on vacation use geography. According to the My World History textbook, “Astronomy helped Muslims explore the world, Muslims used the stars to calculate time and location.” The text also states “ Muslim geographers made more accurate maps than were available before”. Merchants and explorers began to travel much more, and went a very vast distance. We use geography to tell where we are in the world. Much like the astrolabe.

To conclude, many things in everyday life today, the toothbrush, coffee, and math are all thanks to the Muslims. It just so happens that mathematics, astronomy, and geography are three of the most important Islamic innovations. However many important things in life are due to the Muslims innovations, and have influenced modern history vastly. Arabic numerals, a sense of time, and accurate maps are all proof of this.