When the name of Abu Abdullah, Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khuwarizmi is mentioned, people immediately think of him as the great mathematician of old times. In the field of mathematics, he was certainly great, but his high standing in this field should not obscure his multi-faceted talent and achievements.
He was born in Khwarizm, or modern Khiva, south of the Aral Sea, in the former Soviet Union, around 164 H, corresponding to 780 CE. When he began to distinguish himself in the field of mathematics, he was summoned to Baghdad, the capital of the Islamic state. The Caliph Al-Ma’moon attached great importance to science and education, and encouraged research in all fields of knowledge. He was appointed court astronomer, and he was up to the task. The caliph soon gave him a distinguished position in Dar Al-Hikmah, the research academy he had established for distinguished scholars and scientists in all fields. He then sent him on several missions to other countries, where he met many scientists and visited academies and libraries. This was the way which enabled Muslim scientists to learn about other people’s achievements in various fields. Muslim scientists were able to translate into Arabic much of the scholarly heritage of other nations.
To appreciate al-Khuwarizmi’s standing we only need to mention that he was the founder of algebra. Ibn Khaldoun mentions in his Introduction, which was the foundation of sociology, that “the first person ever to write on algebra was Abu Abdullah Al-Khuwarizmi.” The name in Arabic is Al-Jabr, which is a root word that means ‘setting right, reuniting fractions into a whole,’ and it bears connotations of using force to achieve that. When Al-Khuwarizmi’s work in this area was translated into Spanish, Italian and Latin, the word Al-Jabr was borrowed and used as algebra. It retained its form in English and other European languages.
There is no doubt that Al-Khwarizmi was one of the top mathematicians who ever lived, if not the greatest of them all. Phillip Hitti says: “He influenced mathematical thought to a greater extent than any other mediaeval writer.” It is not merely that he established this discipline, giving it its systematic form; he also developed its methods and analytical solutions so that he is recognized as its undisputed founder.
His book Al-Jabr Wal-Muqabalah gained exceptional fame. It influenced the study of mathematics all over the world. It was translated into many languages. Perhaps its first translation was into Latin in the 12th century. It provides analytical solutions of linear and quadratic equations. His mark on this branch of study is seen in the fact that it was he who developed the decimal system so that the overall system of numerals, ‘algorithm’ or ‘algorizm’ is named after him. He also developed several arithmetical procedures, including operations on fractions. Furthermore, he developed trigonometric tables containing the sine functions.
Some of Al-Khwarizmi’s book did not survive in Arabic, due to the destruction of libraries by invading armies such as the Tatars and the Crusaders. However, some of these lost in their original Arabic form survived in Latin translation, such as his book Al-Jam’ wal-Tafreeq Bil-Hisab Al-Hindi.
Perhaps it is important to realize that Al-Khuwarizmi’s motive to write his book on algebra was to provide a method that people could use for calculating inheritance, legacies and other divisions and partitions. It also served in trade and settling lawsuits. Hence, we are not surprised to learn that he dedicated his work in service of God.
Al-Khuwarizmi was not only a mathematician. His interests took him much further afield. He was highly interested in astronomy and his tables in this area were also translated into European languages and into Chinese. In geography he wrote a book that gained wide acclaim. It is known as Soorat Al-Ard, or The Face of the Earth. His other works include a book on the Jewish calendar and another on history.
Al-Khuwarizmi died in 235 H, corresponding to 850 CE. May God shower His mercy on him.
Arab News Islam 28 April 2003
