AI-ZarqaIi and his scientific effort in AndaIusia (D: 493 A.H / 1099 A. D.(

Abstract

Al-Zarqali was one of the prominent scholars of Andalusia, particularly in the 5th century AH/11th century AD, in the fields of astronomy, planetary science, and mathematics. He was described as the most knowledgeable person of his time in planetary observation, calculating planetary movements, and measuring and calculating time. He also established an astronomical observatory and manufactured the necessary instruments. These sciences were essential to the people of Andalusia, especially astronomy and mathematics, particularly in calculations related to taxes, the calculation of months and years, the direction of the Qibla, and other astronomical and mathematical matters.

Interest in these sciences was an urgent necessity for the people of Andalusia. Astronomy, mathematics, and engineering were sciences whose importance was evident in calculations related to taxes, the calculation of months and years, the determination of prayer and fasting times, and other matters. Therefore, there was interest and focus on these sciences. and there is hardly a period in Andalusian history that does not include a group of these scholars who specialized in these sciences and made significant scientific contributions to Arab-Islamic civilization, both inside and outside Andalusia.

Among these scholars, we will discuss Al-Zarqali and his scientific contributions in the field of intellectual sciences, especially astronomy and mathematics. We will divide the research into his biography and the most prominent things said about him, as well as his scientific efforts in the field of astronomy and mathematics. We have drawn on a number of important sources, particularly the book Tabakat al-Umam by Sa'id al-Andalusi and the book Nafh al-Tayyib min Ghussn al-Andalus al-Rutib by al-Maqri.