Dato’ Prof Dr Mohammad Ilyas
Astronomy is a priority area in Islam. Starting from the last Khutba of Prophet Muhammad (s) at Arafah in 632 CE and specially since 773 CE, when the first astronomer-mathematician joined the court of Caliph Mansur at Baghdad, the flourishing of astronomy and allied sciences under State Patronage followed for a thousand years until colonisation impacted it.
Modern revival of Islamic Astronomy was successfully undertaken in Malaysia after my indulgence through Dato Seri Dr Wan Salim, Mufti of Penang State.
Muslims excelled in science from the times of Caliph Omar, Al Mamun’s Baitul Hikmah in Baghdad (815 CE) and education since Fatima Al Fihri’s world’s first University, Al Qarawiyyin, in Morocco (in 859 CE).
The practical astronomical needs gave impetus to develop sciences like mathematics, physics, space astronomy, computers and other areas like medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and instrumentation. Demanding astronomy became the barometer of excellence.
I arrived in August 1971 on Australian International Competitive Fellowship at Adelaide University’s Physics Department for a PhD programme. Aged 21, youngest theoretical physicist to join rocket and satellite based atmospheric research group at the campus, I was honoured.
My research with high altitude rockets required positional astronomy and I training on one of the world’s ‘first’ Main-Frame computers which helped greatly.
In Adelaide, I realised the science of Islamic calendar for modern times, being farde-kifayah needed a suitable place. So, I resigned from my Adelaide University physics teaching position for an appointment in Malaysia to establish new atmospheric programme at the Science University in Penang.
Despite demands of an impacting balloon-borne ozone layer project with links to United Nations Environment Programme and international bodies I continued to tackle the Islamic calendar issue.
Then I came in contact with Dato Seri Dr Wan Salim War Mohd Noor. His early education in Malaysia was followed with 15 years of further education in Egypt renowned Al Azhar University in Cairo, and Ain Shams University covering Usuluddin, Education and Dawah, Culture and a PhD at the Edinburgh University in the UK.
Under Dr Wan Salim leadership at our university, in 1982, I was invited to teach Astro-Physics-Mathematics part of a new course, ‘SCIENCE IN ISLAM’.
I learned about broad Islamic astronomy and its global impact on science development through the centuries and its revival needs. Indeed, this formed the basis of my book, ‘Islamic Astronomy and Science Development: Glorious Past, Challenging Future’.
Numerous expositions through books, conferences and support from many governments, OIC, COMSTECH, Rabita, ICTP, Nuffield Foundation, UK, London University Observatory, International Astronomical Union, individuals in academia as well from thousands in the community had a good impact.
Interestingly, Dato Seri Dr Wan Salim moved from Academia to head the State Mufti Office in Penang which also overseas the Sheikh Tahir Astronomical Centre activities and presided over its future expansion programme.
Almost fifty years on, thanks to Dato Seri Dr Wan Salim foresight in providing an opening for me, it became so instrumental in our work on the revival of the modern Islamic Astronomy.
got a picture of that flying donkey yet?