Lost Islamic History
Firas AlkhateebLost Islamic History
Firas Alkhateeb
Hurst · revised edition, 2017Our narrative starting point for people, history, and the connections between ideas.
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OUR SOURCES · BOOKS, RESEARCH & INSPIRATION
A page behind every fact.
The books, research, and spirit of curiosity behind our family’s discoveries. Follow the sources and keep exploring together.
OUR INSPIRATION · AAL-IMRAN 190–191
Remember Allah. Reflect on His creation.
Aal-Imran 3:190إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
There truly are signs in the creation of the heavens and earth, and in the alternation of night and day, for those with understanding,
Aal-Imran 3:191ٱلَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَـٰطِلًا سُبْحَـٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
who remember God standing, sitting, and lying down, who reflect on the creation of the heavens and earth: ‘Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose- You are far above that!- so protect us from the torment of the Fire.
Why these verses inspire us
These verses draw our attention to the heavens, the earth, and the changing night and day. They describe people who remember Allah throughout their lives and reflect deeply on His creation, recognizing that it has purpose.
This invitation to reflect is part of a wider Qur’anic tradition that helped nurture intellectual curiosity across generations of Muslim pioneers. Learning could be a way to appreciate Allah’s creation and serve others. Our books introduce pioneers in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, optics, and engineering—from Al-Khwarizmi’s algebra to Ibn al-Haytham’s experiments with light and Al-Jazari’s ingenious machines.
For our families, that legacy begins with a small habit: notice something, ask a thoughtful question, and follow it with care.
2books in our library
20book-cited discoveries
36checked page references
Browse the pioneer-to-book map
Our bookshelf
A starting place for lifelong learning.1001 Inventions
Edited by Salim T. S. al-Hassani1001 Inventions
Edited by Salim T. S. al-Hassani
National Geographic · 3rd editionA thematic journey through inventions, science, and everyday life.
Explore the starter collectionTHE RESEARCH COLLECTION
Islamic Scientific Heritage
@IslamicSH_ on XOur pioneer library began with the collected posts from this account. They helped us discover names, follow research leads, and find illustrations of people and ideas from Islamic intellectual history.
Each profile links back to its original research posts. References to the books are added separately where we have found relevant pages, so you can follow both trails for yourself.
Explore the pioneer libraryKeep the original books close.
Our discoveries draw on selected passages from these editions. Page references help you return to the original text and explore the surrounding story together.
The three marks you’ll see
Follow the page.
A fact or short excerpt from one of our books. Tap the citation to see the passage and printed page number.
Look a little further.
A clearly linked external source. The starter collection uses the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the elephant clock.
Room for a little magic.
A made-up scene in a bedtime story. It carries the adventure and is kept separate from historical facts.
ONE IDEA · A TRAIL YOU CAN FOLLOW
How do we know?
He wrote the Book of Optics and checked his theories with experimental evidence.
Open a source
Every citation includes a way to report a mistake. Reports are saved for a future editorial review.