This paper advocates for a multidisciplinary investigation into the embodiment of astronomy within art and architecture between the ninth and twelfth centuries CE of the Islamic Golden Age. It challenges the conventional Eurocentric view by spotlighting the pioneering contributions of figures like al-Khwārizmī, al-Farghānī, al-Sufi, and Ibn al-Haytham. These scholars not only advanced astronomical knowledge but also critically engaged with and transformed Graeco-Roman scientific legacies, underscoring the interconnectedness of global scientific development.
Central to this study is a comprehensive examination of artefacts, including but not limited to texts, illuminated manuscripts, and monumental structures, integrated with comparative studies across varying geographical regions. This exploration aims to uncover the multifaceted ways in which contemporaneous Islamic groups conceptualized and depicted the cosmos, thus tracing the evolution of human comprehension of astronomical phenomena. It also examines Islamic astronomy's dependence on and interaction with Graeco-Roman science and mythology. Questions about Islamic scholars' treatment of Graeco-Roman astronomical traditions and their critiques of ancient observations will be addressed to contextualize Islamic scientific developments within broader cultural and intellectual history.
Astronomy gained a new quantitative dimension, and with rapid political and urban expansion came the advent of skilled professions, such as architects, who used their astronomical knowledge in the design and interior decoration of sacred spaces. And so, the second segment of this paper will explore the formation and evolution of astronomical observatories, such as the Maumtahan and Maragheh observatories, through the lens of ritual practice, geometry, and trigonometry while simultaneously addressing the harmonious co-existence of science and religion as evidenced by these structures. In doing so, the research will also address the shift of astronomical knowledge from the sacred to the secular, that is, from mosques, madrasas, and courts to grand libraries and schools. The emphasis placed on celestial observations beyond the scope of the qibla and lunar cycle highlighted not only the rising sophistication and ambition of the Islamic state, but also the crucial role of specialized individuals within it that came together to achieve a common endeavour.
The culmination of the paper will feature a commentary on the transmission and translation of celestial knowledge from the Islamic Golden Age to Europe. It will argue that the European Enlightenment might not have occurred without the contributions of Islamic knowledge. Therefore, a specific emphasis will be placed on Islam’s interface with late antiquity, Christianity, and Judaism and the exchange and influence of Islamic science on Western architecture and religious practice. Employing a decolonial framework, this paper ultimately challenges the Eurocentric paradigms that have historically marginalized “other” knowledge systems. It advocates for an inclusive understanding of the history of human interaction with the cosmos, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the rich, diverse intellectual traditions of the Islamic Golden Age. By bringing to light the fantastic scientific contributions of this epoch, the paper seeks to validate the histories and epistemologies of Muslims around the globe, while challenging constructed socio-political stereotypes.
