OMAR
AL-KHAYYAM
(1044-1123 AD)
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Ghiyath al-Din Abul Fateh Omar Ibn Ibrahim al-Khayyam was
born at Nishapur, the provincial capital of Khurasan around
1044 AD (c. 1038 to 1048). Persian mathematician, astronomer,
philosopher, physician and poet, he is commonly known as Omar
Khayyam.
Khayyam
means the tent-maker, and although generally considered as
Persian, it has also been suggested that he could have belonged
to the Khayyami tribe of Arab origin who might have settled
in Persia. Little is known about his early life, except for
the fact that he was educated at Nishapur and lived there
and at Samarqand for most of his life. He was a contemporary
of Nidham al-Mulk Tusi. Contrary to the available opportunities,
he did not like to be employed at the King's court and led
a calm life devoted to search for knowledge.
He
travelled to the great centres of learning, Samarqand, Bukhara,
Balkh and Isphahan in order to study further and exchange
views with the scholars there. While at Samarqand he was patronised
by a dignitary, Abu Tahir. He died at Nishapur in 1123-24.
Algebra
would seem to rank first among the fields to which he contributed.
He made an attempt to classify most algebraic equations, including
the third degree equations and, in fact, offered solutions
for a number of them. 'This includes geometric' solutions
of cubic equations and partial geometric solutions of most
other equations. His book Maqalat fi al-Jabr wa al-Muqabila
is a masterpiece on algebra and has great importance in the
development of algebra. His remarkable classification of equations
is based on the complexity of the equations, as the higher
the degree of an equation, the more terms, or combinations
of terms, it will contain. Thus, Khayyam recognizes 13 different
forms of cubic equation. His method of solving equations is
largely geometrical and depends upon an ingenious selection
of proper conics. He also developed the binomial expansion
when the exponent is a positive integer. In fact, he has been
considered to be the first to find the binomial theorem and
determine binomial coefficients. In geometry, he studied generalities
of Euclid and contributed to the theory of parallel lines.
The
Saljuq Sultan, Malikshah Jalal al-Din, called him to the new
observatory at Ray around 1074 and assigned him the task of
determining a correct solar calendar. This had become necessary
in view of the revenue collections and other administrative
matters that were to be performed at different times of the
year. Khayyam introduced a calendar that was remarkably accurate,
and was named as Al-Tarikh-al-Jalali. It had an error of one
day in 3770 years and was thus even superior to the Georgian
calendar (error of 1 day in 3330 years).
His
contributions to other fields of science include a study of
generalities of Euclid, development of methods for the accurate
determination of specific gravity, etc. In metaphysics, he
wrote three books Risala Dar Wujud and the recently discovered
Nauruz- namah. He was also a renowned astronomer and a physician.
Apart
from being a scientist, Khayyam was also a well-known poet.
In this capacity, he has become more popularly known in the
Western world since 1839, when Edward Fitzgerald published
an English translation of his Rubaiyat (quatrains). This has
since become one of the most popular classics of world literature.
It should be appreciated that it is practically impossible
to exactly translate any literary work into another language,
what to talk of poetry, especially when it involves mystical
and philosophical messages of deep complexity. Despite this,
the popularity of the translation of Rubaiyat would indicate
the wealth of his rich thought.
Khayyam
wrote a large number of books and monographs in the above
areas. Out of these, 10 books and thirty monographs have been
identified. Of these, four concern mathematics, three physics,
three metaphysics, one algebra and one geometry.
His
influence on the development of mathematics in general and
analytical geometry, in particular, has been immense. His
work remained ahead of others for centuries till the times
of Descartes, who applied the same geometrical approach in
solving cubics. His fame as a mathematician has been partially
eclipsed by his popularity as a poet; nonetheless his contribution
as a philosopher and scientist has been of significant value
in furthering the frontiers of human knowledge. |
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Why
Allah is named "Hearing," "Seeing" and
"Knowing"
------------------------------------------------------
Allah calls Himself "Seeing" to the end that His
eye may every moment scare you from sinning. Allah calls Himself
"Hearing" to the end that you may close your lips
against foul discourse. Allah calls Himself "Knowing"
to the end that you may be afraid to plot evil.
These
names are not mere accidental names of Allah. They are names
derived from Allah's essential attributes, not mere vain titles
of the first cause. For if so, they would be only empty pleasantries,
like calling the deaf a hearer and the blind a seer, or a
name like "impudent" for a modest man, or "beautiful"
for an ugly person, or such a title as "Haji" for
a new-born boy, or that of "Ghazi" applied to a
noble idler.
If
such titles as these are used in praising persons who do not
possess the qualities implied, 'tis wrong. 'Twould be jesting
or mockery or madness. "Allah is exalted above"
what is said by evil men.
~
RUMI ~ |