Categories

Damascus History Region

Damascus, Once the World Leading Centre of AstronomyDamascus, Once the World Leading Centre of Astronomy

In the 14th century, Syria had two of the most notable astronomers who contributed to the world of astronomy and the Syrian Muslim community. Al Khalili came up with tables that would determine the times of the five prayers for Muslims in Damascus. On the other hand, Ibn Al Shatir created a sundial to install in the minaret of the Umayyad Mosque. Both Al Khalili and Ibn Al-Shatir left behind inventions and creations that would later influence the work and findings of world astronomers who came after them.

Shams Al-Din Al-Khalili was a muwaqqit (mosque astronomer) based in Damascus during the 14th century. His remarkable achievements include the creation of two sets of universal tables. The first set is composed of mathematical functions that address various problems in spherical astronomy, a branch of astronomy used to locate celestial bodies as seen from earth on a particular date and at a particular location. As a result of the functions compiled in these tables, Al-Khalili was able to devise the qibla equation, which he used for his second set.

The second set included a table indicating the qibla (direction of prayer towards Mecca) in degrees and minutes for each degree of latitude and longitude within the medieval world. Additionally, Al-Khalili developed a new set of tables for calculating the times of prayer specific to the latitude of Damascus. His work significantly impacted astronomical calculations and facilitated accurate timekeeping and orientation towards the qibla for Muslims during that era.

Ibn Al-Shatir, also a muwaqqit, worked in the Umayyad Mosque and constructed a sundial for its minaret around 1371. He introduced innovative planetary models that were later embraced by Copernicus, one of the earliest astronomers to propose the theory that the planets, including Earth, revolve around the sun, nearly 150 years after their conception.

Renowned for constructing the most sophisticated sundial of his time, Ibn Al-Shatir meticulously integrated modifications of Ptolemy’s models into his work. Some research suggests that Ibn Al-Shatir’s contributions would later influence the works of astronomy in Europe and the rest of the Muslim states.

One of Ibn Al-Shatir’s most noteworthy works is Kitab Nihayat al-Sul Fi Tashih al-Usul (The Final Quest Concerning the Rectification of Principles), In which he made significant changes to the Ptolemaic models of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Furthermore, he invented the oldest polar-axis sundial. It stood out from the Romans’ sundial, which did not match the real hours of the day like Ibn Al-Shatir’s sundial did. His concept was later adopted in Western sundials. One of his groundbreaking inventions was Sundoq Al-Mawaqit, a time-keeping machine incorporating a universal sundial and magnetic compass to find the times of the 5 prayers.