Name: Izzah Zulkafli

Matric No: 1128390

Topic: Examine the function of Muslim Spain as a bridge between Islamic and
western civilizations.

Spain is known as state that gather all religions and cultures under one
roof. They are a mix of Muslims, Christians and Jews. It had always been that
way since 711 until 1492.1 Though during this particular period, the
Christians and Jews had some restrictions due to the dominant group of
Muslims in the state, they managed to live peacefully and they were actually
benefitting from another. The concept of Ummah that was adopted during in
the community under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was also
implemented by the people in Spain during this time. They have also brought
the civilization to a whole new level. These Muslim immigrants were
originated from various places for instance, North Africa, Middle East and
South Asia. Apart from these, about 20,000 of them were Spanish converts. A
mosque in modern Spain had banished in 1942 and the first mosque after
that was built in 1982, approximately 500 years after that.2
The formation of Islamic government in North Africa, Spain and Sicily led to
the interaction between Islamic civilizations with Europe. The interaction
1 S. M. Imamuddin, Muslim Spain: 711-1492 A.D.: a Sociological Study (BRILL,
1981), 25.
2 Who are the Ahmadi, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8711026.stm (19
April 2015)
1

occurred through both peaceful and conflicting means. Commonly, the

Muslims established a good relation with the Europeans through trading
activities and they had also engaged in war when the infamous Crusades
broke out between 12th to 14th centuries AD which lasted for 200 years. The
Islamic civilization was at its peak in terms of the development of science in
10th to 12th century AD while the west at that time was in the dark ages. The
catastrophic event left many Muslims and the west killed and caused ill
feelings between Christianity and Islam.3
After the conquest of Spain and Sicily, there was no further major conquest
and expansion made by the Muslims. Sicily was affected greatly from the
contributions of Islamic civilization particularly in the arts, learning and
agriculture throughout the Muslims rule for two hundred years. The Muslims
under the rule of King Roger I were controlling administration of the island,
trade and agriculture in which became the bridge between Islamic and
western civilization in terms of culture. It had not changed even during the
reigns of Roger II and Frederick II in Sicily. The Muslims were experts in
shipbuilding and sailing. As a result, Sicily rose as a leading maritime power
during the reign of Roger II. 4 Frederick II and Muslim rulers were close friends

3 George Saliba, Islamic Science and the Making of the European Renaissance (MIT
Press, 2007)
4 Philip Khuri Hitti, History of the Arabs: From the Earliest Times to the Present, 9th
edn. (London: Macmillan; & New York: St. Martins Press, 1968), 299.
2

during the time when he had a close relations with the Muslims to the east
which caused some hatred towards him.5
The results of the scientific progress achieved by Muslims in Spain are of
interest to the West to study the science of the Arabs. This led to the
establishment of a school in Paris by the West to learn the languages of the
East in the 12th century AD, they imitated the ways of learning science of the
Islamic scholars through debates. They have learned from Ibn Zujr and Ibn
Baithar in successfully treating smallpox and plague with their special way.
Medical school has also been founded by French in the city of Montpellier and
there were some wealthy Arab Spain nationalists.
The Europeans also learned how to make sugar, silk and how to create
and use guidelines from the Arab nations. Arabs were known to be very
skillful in science of war and in the making of warship. Muslim navy in the
Mediterranean Sea became a model to the Christian states. The west did not
only benefit from the Arab nations in terms of science and carpentry alone,
but even up to the singing and music. These affected the European students
who were studying Arabic cultures in Spain to the extent that they had
brought back the Arabic poetry and songs to Europe. Apparently, the effects
of Arab influences still exist in the Spanish music.
There were numerous of Arabic texts copied from Greek and were
translated by Europeans into their languages. Thus, Greek culture evolves

5 Sayyid Fayyaz Mahmud, A Short History of Islam (Karachi, Pakistan: Oxford

University Press, 1960), 209.
3

again in Europe, and the Arabs in Spain became a bridge to a new culture
and civilization in Europe.6
Andalusia is divided into Spain and Portugal, located on the peninsula, known
as Iberian Peninsula. Before the conquest by Muslims, Andalusia was ruled by
the Visigoths.7 At the time when the Romans were ruling the land, they have
brought in some Jews which caused fierce disputes between them and
Christians. In addition, there were also struggles for power to take the throne
of Andalusia from time to time. Such situations had weakened the
government of Andalusia and created opportunity for Muslims to conquer the
state.
When western scholars talk about Islamic civilization in Spain, they
recognized the beauty of the buildings left by the Muslims there. They also
commemorated the Muslims who have contributed themselves for the
advancement of knowledge to the European continents that were living in
ignorance for centuries. The higher learning institutions in Spain had been
spreading knowledge to the European world for two centuries. Some Muslim
scholars such as Ibn Rushd who was called Averroes and Abdul Maimon,
called Maimonides, Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta, a very famous Muslim
traveler in Europe. These Muslim scholars have established an Islamic

6 Arab Influences in Spain,

http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/arab-influence-on-spanishlanguage-and-culture (20 April 2015).
7 Conquest, Islam in Spain: 1.
4

civilization in Spain. City of Seville, Cordoba and Granada were the centers of
Islamic learning and culture at the time.
Muslim Spain have the opportunity to obtain education through the low
and high education system. The opportunity was broader then what obtained
under the Abbasid government in Baghdad. The educators or teachers have
a special position in the society. Even women have equal opportunities. AlMaqqari, a Spanish Muslim historian has made a note on the opportunity to
obtain education for women.8 Universities have been established in Cordova,
Seville, Malaga and Granada. University of Cordova for example, has science
departments in addition to the department of language, religion and
philosophy. University of Granada has a legal department, medicine,
chemistry, philosophy and astronomy. Even Christians from Castile and
Aragon who were the enemies of Muslim Spain came to study at the
University of Granada.9 Universities could not achieve progress without books
about science. Therefore, a lot of books were written and got an immense
opportunity in the European market. The books could not be produced
without paper. Thus, the making of paper also made a great progress. The
process of paper making in Italy, Franc and European continent was inspired

8 Education and Women, Education in Islamic History (2008),

http://lostislamichistory.com/education/ (18 April 2015).
9 The History And the Age of The Moors in Spain: How The Moors Civilized Europe The History of Africa, (2014), http://ixwa.hubpages.com/hub/The-History-And-theAge-of-The-Moors-in-Spain-How-The-Moors-In-Spain-Helped-To-Civilize-Europe (18
April 2015).
5

from Spain. Therefore, the paper is a Muslim legacy inherited by the

European continent.
Muslim Spain have begun the scientific study in botany which is closely
related to agriculture and pharmacology initiated by al-Ghafar of Cordova
and ibn al-Awwam of Seville. Both agriculture and pharmacology were among
the fields of achievement of Islamic civilization in Andalusia. During the rule
in Iberian Peninsula, Muslims contributed in gardening apart from plantations
that were used for food and medicine. Though there were possibilities that
the evidences of Muslims contributions in these fields just like other aspects
being manipulated to deny their achievements in Andalusia, this has started
to change as the recognition has started to be given on the influence of
Islamic gardens and botanists.10 The knowledge of plantations that the
Muslims in Andalusia collected, developed and disseminated has a long-term
influences as they used it as opportunity to cultivate many plants that were
not only useful and beautiful, but also nutritious. They promoted good health
and physical well-being. The Europeans introduced many of these plants
during their colonization period of the New World. The rich agricultural
activities in Andalusia contributed in the global economic and agricultural
exchange.
Ibn al-Awwam produced a book that is important in agricultural science
in medieval times named al-Filahah. In the medical field, Spanish medical
10 Botany, The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain, (2007),
http://www.islamicspain.tv/Arts-and-Science/The-Culture-of-Al-Andalus/Botany.htm
(18 April 2015).
6

experts have done a lot of research and writing. Abu Marwan, a medical
figure in Spain who wrote the book al-Teisir discussing the history of the
disease. Ibn Abbas al-Zahrawi, a doctor of Hakam palace had written a book
entitled al-Tasrif discussing the basic surgery. Ibn Rushd was a philosopher
and medical expert produced his famous book, namely al-Kulliyat (Principles
of Medicine). In astronomy, Muslims have made a remarkable achievement.
Al-Majriti has made corrections to the creation of astronomical tables of alKhwarizmi. Al-Bitruji, a Spanish astronomical figure who wrote the book alHayah which dealt with stars.
Muslim caliphs in Spain were very interested in art and architecture. While
the music was introduced by Ziryab who became musician in the palace of
Caliph Abdul Rahman II. Abu Qasim Abbas was famous as a musician who
introduced the art of eastern music in Spain. In the field or architecture,
Spanish government had built various buildings with Islamic sculptures. The
historical remain of religious house was destroyed in Spain after Muslims
were killed, except the mosque of Cordova. Muslims have succeeded in
producing a very high civilization in Spain and contributed a lot to the
development of world civilization.
In the field of enterprise, Muslim Spain were popular among the
countrys major company. They ran the company in making of tableware,
pottery, then exported abroad. Muslim Spain were also advanced the fabric
making business and get a wide market in Western Europe. They also ran the
business of making fabrics out of wools in which Cordova was the most
7

important production center. Almeria alone owned 4,800 narrow fabric

machines. Production of high quality silks was also made for the royal
clothing, or for festive and churches decorations. The floral designs were the
creation of Muslim Spain which remained in use in Europe until the sixteenth
century. They also ran a metal business. 11 The Islamic influence in the
business remains until today, as a matter of fact, names of the goods are still
in Arabic language. Ivory was imported from Africa, and the carvings made
out of it were exported to overseas.
A civilization is mainly measured by the amount of contributions they made
during that particular period of time in various aspects of thought, sciences
and morals. Islamic civilization has been a great role model to the western
civilization and what Europe, precisely European civilization says it all. The
Islamic civilization had been there way before Europe so there is no doubt
that they have influenced European civilization in many ways for Europe to
achieve what they have today.
It has been unanimously agreed by historians that there was a contact
between Islamic civilization and Christian European West during the period of
total darkness experienced by Europe through three main routes; Andalusia,
Sicily and the crusades which were different in terms of the level of activity
and cultural impact.

11 Florence Cline Lister and Robert Hill Lister. Andalusian ceramics in Spain and New Spain:
a cultural register from the third century B.C. to 1700 (University of Arizona Press, 1987),
133.

The populous and autonomous Andalusia is a bridge between Islamic

and western civilizations. Through this main route, the Islamic civilization
established itself in Europe, contributing in various fields such as scientific,
intellectual, social and economic. Although Andalusia is not much developed
in terms of politics and the party kingdoms were appearing, the Muslims
during that time were driving the civilization towards enormous success
throughout the eight centuries. Their achievements were contributed by
many factors but it was mainly due to the establishment of education
institutions such as universities and schools, libraries, factories, palaces,
gardens, scientists as well as male scholars in Andalusia. Those were the
best interest of European countries that Andalusia had been in a close and
continuous relations with.12
After some time, the Muslims made advantage of their settlement in Spain to
seek knowledge in sciences, literature and arts. They had a huge interest in
these aspects and eventually surpassed many others, benefited from the
knowledge. The Muslims contributed significantly in creating new and
sophisticated

scientific

inventions

which

Europe

have

been

greatly

benefitting from because they were continuously supplied with fresh

resources from the 11th until 15th century which was also the period of Italian
renaissance.

12 Ragheb Elsergany. Andalusia one of the routes of Islamic civilization to Europe

(2010), http://islamstory.com/en/Andalusia-routes-islamic-civilization-europe (20
April 2015)
9

The Arabs did not take too long to start preaching on the civilization in
Spain after its conquest. Among their contributions were the fertilization of
dead lands, restoration of devastated towns with magnificent buildings and
establishment of strong trade relations with other nations. During that period
also, they were very committed in learning sciences and arts. Besides that,
they were also very much intro translation of Greek and Latin writings and
they established universities in which it became a cultural place in Europe for
long periods of time. Arabic language started to impress the non-Muslims
living in that area that they were studying it from Arab teachers in the region
and had been using it in daily conversations. Not only in communication, had
the non-Muslims even adopted Muslim names, clothes and customs. This was
said due to great religious tolerance shown by the Muslims. Cordova for
many people, symbolized the bridge between Christians and Muslim since its
conquest in 13th century. They also viewed the state as a civilization that
brought everyone regardless of their culture together as one due to its
tolerance as a basis of the foundation of the civilization. There were many
writers who influence by the culture of Cordova such as a Crown Prince from
Dubai who wrote a book, explaining in details on how Cordova would become
a role model in creating a new Dubai.
The translation work went through three phases; firstly, from Arabic to
Spanish then it was translated into Latin and thirdly, a direct translation of
Arabic writings into Latin. By 12th and 13th century, the translation into other
languages particularly Spanish and Latin from Arabic was flourishing
10

considerably. Many writings by the Arab scientists which covered all

branches of knowledge were being translated and then later the translation
work extended to great Greek books by some prominent writers such as
Galen, Hippocrates, Plato and Aristotle. The latter translation work was
carried out in Mashreq the two centuries later.13
There was a famous translator, known as Toledan whose real name was
Gerard of Cremona or Gerardus Cremonensis in Latin, who owned about 100
translation works. The well-known translator who came from Toledo
translated enormous amount of books of various fields mainly on medicine
by some renowned Muslim figures. Gerard was also said to have some
students who were being supervised by him while translating some of the
books and even collaborated with others. Spanish people and some who
migrated to Spain also participated in the translation work in 12 th century. On
a different note, some higher education institutions were established by the
King of Castile, Alfonso X. This led to the flourishing translation period from
Arabic into Latin and Castilian in 12th century.14
The learning institutions in Spain became one of the academic centers
as a route for Islamic knowledge into the west. There was an argument
among authorities saying that the Islamic civilization is closely linked to the
Greek philosophy received by Europe. Muslim scholars were known for their
13 Ragheb Elsergany. Translation in Andalusia, Andalusia one of the routes of
Islamic civilization to Europe (2010), http://islamstory.com/en/Andalusia-routesislamic-civilization-europe (20 April 2015)
14 Salma Khadra Jayyusi and Manuela Marin. Legacy of Muslim Spain (BRILL, 1992),
509.
11

critical remarks pertaining to various matters. Since then, the Muslims had
been connecting philosophy and medicine in their thinking. No other
language was translated more than Arabic thus, it contributed to the
recognition of Arabic as the most translated language in the world probably
at least until the period of Renaissance and Reformation. Muslim Spain
became the important bridge for entry of Islamic knowledge into Europe.
Islamic universities in Spain gathered many students from various places
with different background particularly in terms of religion as many Muslims,
Jewish and Christians including Charlemagne traveled to Spain to study.
The Islamic civilization was basically the greatest achievement that Muslims
had to offer through their writings in which most of the notable books were in
Arabic. The Arabic language became the main language starting from the
middle of 8th century till the end of the 11th century. The Arabs have brought
the language to a whole new level to the extent that if the non-Arabs were to
learn about the culture, they had to first learn the Arabic language and there
was actually many of them who joined the bandwagon. Along with such a
great accomplishment by the Muslims, it is apparent that the Muslims,
particularly Islamic civilization, has also contributed greatly in so many other
fields for instance, mathematics, various branches of pure sciences,
medicine as well as in geography. All that added another human dimension
to the Islamic civilization.
Cordova was highly looked up to in the movement of Islamic
civilization. Being a more civil city than others of Europe, just like how Balkan
12

states viewed Venice, it was the same way of how the world thought of
Cordova. Those coming from the east were astonished to know such
overwhelming facts about the city. They expressed their admiration and
astonishment on what was being told about the city for instance on the
existence of seventy libraries and 900 public baths.
Cordova played a significant role towards the age of renaissance.
Though still many in the world thought that the modern scientific age began
in parallel with the development of European cities, one should be noted that
it actually started way before that in some renowned Islamic centers such as
Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo and Cordova. Islamic civilization preceded other
civilizations particularly the western civilization in so many fields. The Arabs,
particularly the Islamic civilization in Andalusia found its way to the west by
using the route of Pyrenees Mountains which separated the Iberian Peninsula
with the other parts of Europe.15
In conclusion, Muslim Spain played an important role as a bridge between
Islamic and western civilizations with their mastery and expertise in various
fields such as arts, sciences and many others. The world particularly the
western civilization benefited from the Islamic civilization in expanding their
knowledge led to various inventions by the west which actually started by
the Muslims many decades before the western civilization came into
existence. The civilizational contributions of Muslim Spain should not be
15 Ragheb Elsergany. Influence of Cordova on European Renaissance, Andalusia
one of the routes of Islamic civilization to Europe (2010),
http://islamstory.com/en/Andalusia-routes-islamic-civilization-europe (20 April 2015)
13

overlooked because if it were not for them, many of contributions of Islamic

civilization in other places could have been difficult.

14

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