Abstract
This article explores the historical development of observatories for astronomical pursuits within the context of Muslim civilization. It aims to provide an overview of how observatories evolved alongside advancements in astronomy during the Islamic caliphate. The study investigates the parallels between Malaysian astrofiqh observatories and those established during the Islamic civilization era, employing a qualitative approach involving instrument observation, interviews, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the ‘Abbasid caliphate led in establishing observatories for educational and research purposes in astronomy. Key factors contributing to the success of observatory development include the rulers’ support, intellectual dedication, and political stability. Furthermore, the study highlights specific similarities between Malaysian astrofiqh observatories and their historical counterparts, encompassing various aspects such as objectives, physical features, instruments, and nomenclature.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-91 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Journal of Al-Tamaddun |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024, Academy of Islamic Studies, Dept of Islamic History and Civilization, University of Malaya. All rights reserved.
Funding
This study was financed by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2022/SSI13/UKM/02/6) , Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia; Dana Pecutan Penerbitan and Dana Insentif Penerbitan , Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia | FRGS/1/2022/SSI13/UKM/02/6 |
| Dana Pecutan Penerbitan and Dana Insentif Penerbitan , Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia |
Keywords
- astrofiqh observatories
- Islamic astronomy
- Islamic civilization
- Observatory