Tagged: Arabia

“The Saracens adopted the decimal system of numerical notation from the Hindus, and this was improved by Mohammed Ben Musa, who, in the ninth century, introduced zero as a mathematical quantity. This same Mohammed Ben Musa wrote the first systematic treatise on algebra, devised a formula for the solution of quadratic equations, and was the author of a Treatise on Spherical Trigonometry.”

Source: John G. Jackson. Introduction to African Civilizations. pg. 181. 1970.

“In Mecca, Mohammed was so unpopular that he was forced to flee to Medina, where he was received with open arms in the year 622 C.E. This year, known as the Hejira (Flight), was the beginning of the Mohammedan era. The doctrine of the Arabian prophet spread like wildfire; for a period of drought had desolated the Arabian peninsula shortly before the advent of Mohammed, and the tribes were restless, and hence, ready to listen to a new prophet. The essence of Mohammedanism is very simple: ‘There is no god but God [Allah], and Mohammed is the prophet of God.’ This very simplicity appealed to many. Large numbers of Jews and Christians were converted because Mohammed also recognized Moses and Jesus as prophets of God. Islam appealed to all classes of people. The doctrines of equality and brotherhood were cherished by the oppressed; the policy of conquest met with the approval of the desert tribes; the city dwellers were pleased by Mohammed’s encouragement of commerce; and the superstitious were flattered by ceremony and ritualism.”

Source: John G. Jackson. Introduction to African Civilizations. pg. 167-168. 1970.

“In the latter part of the sixth century, shortly after the death of the Emperor Justinian, a child was born in Arabia and, upon reaching man’s estate, established a new system of religion, which profoundly affected the course of human history. The story of the great Arab-Moorish civilization begins with the birth of Mohammed in the year 571 C.E. It is claimed by his follower that his birth was heralded by a spectacular display of miracles. Mohammed himself, however, seems never to have suspected that there was anything unusual about either his birth or his career until he was about thirty years of age, when he began to hear strange voices. While he was in a cave on Mount Hara, engaged in religious meditation, the angel Gabriel appeared before him, proclaiming him as Mohammed, the prophet of God. It is said that Gabriel brought Mohammed the Koran page by page, as they met clandestinely in the desert.”

Source: John G. Jackson. Introduction to African Civilizations. pg. 167. 1970.