Nasir al-Din Tusi

(1201-1274)

The astrologer of
the Alamut Castle,
Mongol Hulagu Han &
The founder of the Maragha
Observatory
 Nasir al-Din Tusi
Persian or Azeri 13th century scholar

(Nasir al-Din Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tusi)

born Feb. 17/18, 1201, Tus, Khorasan [now Iran]

died June 25 /26, 1274, Kadhimain, Baghdad, Iraq
 Tusi produced a wide range of writings in different fields of
learning (theology, philosophy, logic, medicine,
mathematics, astronomy, astrology). His writings became
the standard texts in several disciplines for several
centuries.
“If we take all fields into account, he was more responsible
for the revival of the Islamic sciences than any other
individual. His bringing together so many competent
scholars at Maragha observatory resulted not only in the
revival of mathematics and astronomy but also in the
renewal of Islamic philosophy and even theology”.*
*Dictionary of Scientific Biography
Tusi was first educated in Tus. His jurist father was broad-
minded, so encouraged him to study philosophical and
natural sciences and to acquint himself with the doctrines of
other schools and sects.

From Tus he went to Nishapur where he studied philosophy,

medicine, astronomy/astrology and mathematics. He was
taught by a scholar whose teaching lineage went back to Ibn
Sina (Avicenna). By the time he was eighteen, he had studied
Ibn Sina’s major philosophical work Remarks and
Admonitions. Later he wrote a well known commentary on
this work. .
At his late twenties, Tusi joined -by force or willingly- the
Ismailis (Assassins). He found patrons at the Ismaili courts and
for about the next three decades, Tusi stayed in Quhistan and
at the Ismaili fortress of Alamut, using its rich library to write
some of his most important scientific and philosophic works.
Alamut maintained a sophisticated outlook and placed a high
value on intellectual activities. With the establishment of the
state in 1090, the Ismailis had created impressive libraries,
containing not only important collections of religious and
philosophical texts, but also scientific treatises and
instruments.
Tusi played an active part in the
intellectual life of the Ismaili community
at Alamut. There he had written his
major works on logic, metaphysics,
philosophy, theology and astronomy
like:

- Commentary on Ibn Sina’s major philosophical

work Al-Isharat wa-al-tanbihat (Remarks
and Admonitions)

- Akhlaq-i Nasiri (The Nasirean Ethics)

- Rawda-yi Taslim (Paradise of Submission)

- Tahrir al-Majisti (Commentary on the

Almagest)
 Tusi's commentary on Ibn Sina’s Remarks and Admonitions
was intended as a response to the commentary of al-Razi on
the same text. He was defending Ibn Sina against the
criticisms of al-Razi. With this work he revived the philosophy
of Avicenna.

He had written revised Arabic versions of works by Autolycus,

Aristarchus, Euclid, Apollonius, Archimedes, Ptolemy and
others.
.
In 1247 Tusi wrote “Commentary on the Almagest" in which he
introduced various trigonometrical techniques to calculate
tables of sines.

An important mathematical contribution of Tusi was the

creation of trigonometry as a mathematical discipline in its own
right rather than as just a tool for astronomical applications.

He was also one of the first non-Euclidean mathematicians.

Siege of Baghdad
The Great Sextant at the Maragha Observatory

Model by Whetton and Grosch

The Maragha Observatory was
equipped with many high
quality instruments from
Baghdad and other Islamic
centers of learning.
It had a very important
scientific library of 400,000
books, and contained a twelve-
feet wall quadrant made from
copper and an azimuth
quadrant and 'turquet' invented
by Tusi. Tusi designed several
other instruments for the
Observatory.
This story clearly shows that for Hulagu Khan the main
purpose of the Maragha Observatory was astrological. But
Tusi’s main purpose may be to reform the Ptolemic
astronomy.

Criticizing and reformulating the Greek astronomical

tradition had started long before the Maragha Observatory,
but reached its peak in the fourteenth century. Some of the
astronomers in the observatory had already started their
reform work before joining the observatory. It is perhaps
because of that they were invited to the observatory.
In 1247, when Tusi wrote “Commentary on the Almagest”, he
was aware of the problem the equant, but had not yet found a
solution for it. Still he had used a rudimentary form of a new
theorem once in this book.

Later in 1261, when he was in charge of the observatory, he

wrote his major astronomical treatise “al-Tadhkira fi'ilm al-
hay'a". There he gave a new model of planetary motion,
essentially different from Ptolemy’s. His model is now called
the “Tusi couple”.

Besides Tusi, the distinguished scientists of Maragha

observatory were al-Shirazi, al-Urdi, al-Maghribi and others.
At the second half of the 20th century, as a result of careful
studies, it was determined by scholars that the mathematical
edifice of Copernican astronomy could not have been built by
just using the mathematical information available in such
classical Greek mathematical and astronomical works as
Euclid’s Elements and Ptolemy’s Almagest. The addition of
two new mathematical theorems was needed and Copernicus
have deployed them.

Both of these theorems were first produced by the scholars of

the Maragha Observatory: Tusi’s theorem the “Tusi Couple”,
and al-Urdi’s theorem the “Urdi Lemma”. Later al-Shirazi and
al-Shatir continued their efforts.
Besides these new planetary models, the main achievement
of the observatory was the Ilkhani Tables,1271. First in
Persian and later translated into Arabic.

The work contains tables for computing the positions of the

planets and a star catalogue. The tables were developed
from observations over a twelve-year period and were
primarily based on original observations. Because of the
relations with China, the Ilkhani Tables were popular not
only in Islam, but also in China.
Eventually, the astronomers of the Maragha Observatory not
only produced original work on astronomy, but also left their
imprint on later astronomical research, mainly in the Latin
West and have laid the foundation for the Copernican
astronomy itself.

Some have described their achievements in the 13th and 14th

centuries as "Maragha School Revolution", or “Scientific
Revolution before the Renaissance”.
 Astrology Books of Tusi

• Risale-i Si Fasl (Book of Thirty Chapters –a treatise on

astrology and calendar)

• Sefinetü'l-Ahkam fi İlmi'n-Nücum (The Ship of Judgement)

• Şerhü Kitabi's-Semere li-Batlamyus (Commentary on

“Ptolemy’s Fruit” Centiloquim)

• Der Kıranat-ı Kevakib Seb'a (Conjunctions of Planets and

Sun Conjunctions)

• Ihtiyarat (Elections-Moon)
 Risale-i Si Fasl
(Book of Thirty Chapters- a treatise on astrology and calendar)
Sefinetü'l-Ahkam (The Ship of Judgement)
Consists of 3 main chapters:
1) Astronomy
2) About the movements of the stars
3) Ilm-i ahkamı nücum (astrology)

Ilm-i nücum (science of stars) consists of two branches:

Ilmi (theoretical, scientific) and ameli (practical, applied).
Ilmi: Astronomy of the spheres, movements of the stars and
their reaching the signs (ingress).
Ameli: Determining the time, and the ascendent, casting the
horoscopes and other functions of the stars.
In this case ilm-i nücum is divided into three.
1. Theoretical, 2. Practical, and 3. Making judgements
according to these.
First chapter is about astronomy (celestial bodies, spheres and
elements)

Second chapter is about the necessary matters for nücum. The

main issue is calculating a specific time.
If the birth is during the day the Sun is used, if during the
night the brightest fixed star is used. If the sky is not clear,
an approximate time is found...

Third chapter (astrology):

1) Natures of the planets
2) İhtiyarat (elections)
3) Nativity and revolution of the years
İhtiyarat (Elections)

Seven matters should be taken into consideration:

1. The position of Moon should be good and suitable for the
thing to be done.

2. The condition of the ruler of the Moon’s house should be

good.

3. The house of the demand should be suitable. For example:

for trading the second house, for marriage the seventh
house, for travel the ninth house, for work the tenth house.

4. The ruler of the house of demand should be in good

condition.

5. Ascendent should be in good condition and, if the demand

is not an inauspicious thing, it should be free from
affliction.
6. The star which is the indicator of the subject should be
suitable and in good condition. For example: Saturn for
construction, Jupiter for administration, Mars for hostility,
Sun for government and power, Venus for marriage and
association, Mercury for education.
7. The ruler of the ascendent should be good and free from
affliction. Other than these, if the other three angles are in
good condition, it is the best....

Then comes a long list of the rules to choose the auspicious

moment for doing any particular thing like having your hair cut,
wearing a new dress, shopping, writing a letter, marriage, war,
construction, agriculture, travel, hunting etc.
Nativity and Revolution of the Years
Hyleg, Alchocoden, Longevity
First it is necessary to know the length of life, then look at
other conditions.
The Conditions of the Body and Soul
Ascendent indicates the body, its ruler indicates the soul.
Sun indicates bestial power, Moon natural power, Mercury
mental power, Jupiter growth power, Venus carnal power,
Mars wrath/anger power and Saturn contraction power. In
this case, the power of the strongest star is in
perfect/mature condition...
About Other Houses
For possesions look at the second house, its ruler, part of
fortune, part of wealth and Jupiter,.. For the father look at
the forth house, its ruler, part of father, and Sun (for the
day), and Saturn (for the night)...
Judgement of the Planets in the Houses
If Saturn is in the first house, it indicates that the native
will be rich and worthy, will loose his possessions till age
36, will have a big house. If ¾ is in the 2. house, will be rich,
will own his property with great effort, in 3. house, won’t
have brothers/ sisters or they will die before him, in 4.
house, his parents will die in his childhood, in 5. house, will
have difficulties through his children, but he will be healthy
(6. house). He will be poisioned and his illness will last long.
If it is in the 7. house, he will be married off early, in 8.
house, will be frightened that he will be poisioned or will live
a constant fearful life, in 9. house, will make long journeys
and mostly will be poor, in 10. house, will have a malicious
disposition, will not benefit from his work and practice, in
11. house, will have great hopes, and some of them will
come true, in 12. house, everything he wants for his
enemies will realize and he will be wise.
Signs Indicating Odors
If the Ascendent is Cancer his sweat will smell bad...

Indicators of the Hours

If the native is born at the hour of Moon, he will have a
miserly and base nature, will be inconsistent and moving.

Judgement of the Revolutions

You need to look at the lord of the year, fardar and qasim (lord
of the term). For the body look at the sign of intiha (terminal
point), the ascendent...

Lord of the Year as the Indicator

If the lord of the year is Mars greatness and courage will
increase. It brings fame. The native will overcome his
enemies, will be clever and quick in response, will have good
relations. If it is afflicted, will be very nervous and angry, will
feel envy and jealousy, will be very hot, will suffer intense
diseases. Will fight unjustly and be defeated...
About the Divisions of Life
First 4 years Moon
10 years Mercury
8 years Venus
19 years Sun
15 years Mars
12 years Jupiter
30 years Saturn
back to Moon

About Fardarat (Firdaria)

For the day: Sun 10 yrs., Venus 8 yrs., Mercury 24 yrs., Moon
14 yrs., Saturn 11 yrs., Jupiter 18 yrs. And Mars 13 yrs.

For the night: They start with Moon and give it 9 years, then
they go to Saturn and until Mercury they give the same years,
and they give Mercury 38 years....
About the Fortune of the Year
• For the condition of the year look at the Ascendent of the
year. For the king look at Sun for the day, look at Moon for
the night. For the public look at Moon, the forth house and
its lord....
• Indicators of War and Discord
• Indicators of Plague, Disease and Sorrow
• Phenomena on the Earth
• Changes at the Weather, Winds and Rain
• The Rain Signs
• Prices

The Conjunctions of the Planets

The Combustion of the Planets
Conjunctions in Aries
Saturn-Jupiter Conjunction: Indicates that the distinguished
people will be promoted with high ranks. Mean and
worthless people will suffer. Ones who talk about religion
will come on the scene. From the East, security and justice
will be established. Monasteries and places of worship will
be prosperous.

Saturn-Mars Conjunction: Indicates that in the East there will be

discord, armies will be assembled and war will start.
Soldiers, commanders and people who own weapons will
come on the scene. Supplies for war will be manufactured,
ones who sell weapon will earn a lot. Some places will be on
fire, there will be thunders, lightnings and hail. Animals will
die and meat will be very valuable.
Aspect of Planets

Saturn-Jupiter Sextile: Indicates friendship and peace

between sultans and leaders. Sheikhs and peasants will
be praised. People will marry, will worship, will go to hajj.
Will repent from evil. Old illnesses like insanity will
recover in the best way.

Saturn-Jupiter Square: Indicates that sultans and

leaders will become miserable, big dynasties will collapse,
castles will be conquered. There will be enmity between
scholars, sheikhs and peasants. Bigotry, tricksters will
come on the scene. Rulers will die.
Combustions and Conjunctions of the Planets

Saturn Combust in Aries

If Saturn is combust and Jupiter joins it in Aries, it indicates
that, that year there will be abundance, and an enemy from
Khorasan or Isfahan will rebel.
If it is stationary, that year will be moderate, not bad, not
good. Fruits will decay, jewelry, gold, silver or cupper will
become less.

Jupiter Combust in Aries

If Jupiter is combust and Saturn joins it in Aries, there will be
floods, natural disasters or people will be fearful of those
threats. A new sultan or caliph will come into power, but a
noble, honored person will die. Judges and religious scholars
will have difficulties.
If it is stationary, a ruler will get sick, rulers and high officials
will have troubles and there will be struggles between them.
İhtiyarat of Tusi

Moon’s ingress into Aries: With the confirmation of Allah, when

the oscillating moon enters the house (domicile) of Mars,
that is, the sign Aries, it is good to start a journey, see the
face of the sultans, wear silk dress, hunt with arrows.
Bloodletting (med.) is good, but to start something,
especially to plant something is not good.

Moon’s ingress into Taurus: This is good for marriage, for

sowing seed and writing letter to a friend. The appearences
of women get better, they take good care of themselves,
they use parfume.
It is good to stay away from arguments and try to be happy.
Once Hulagu had ordered al Juwayni to be put to death. Al
Juwayni’s brother went to Tusi and asked his help. Tusi had
pointed out that when Hulagu issued an order it is impossible
to repeal it, especially when it had become public, and said
that it would be necessary to resort to a strategy.
He then set out toward Hulagu’s camp with a staff and an
astrolabe in his hand and followed by a man carrying a censer,
incense and fire. When he arrived at the gate of the camp
rekindled the incense and raised the astrolabe, making
observations with it. Hulagu’s notables reported this to him..