From golden era to modern struggles: the rise and fall of Islamic civilization

Countless historians say that the Golden Era of the Muslims occurred during the peak of their civilization (750-1258). Others argue that it lasted for a much longer period. Regardless of the disagreement about the actual time frame, this era witnessed the emergence of many polymath scholars. The epicenters of knowledge, scientific research, and philosophical and religious debates were located in Baghdad (Iraq), Cordoba (Spain), Damascus (Syria), and Cairo (Egypt). Compared to the latter two, the primary centers of intellectual activity were Baghdad and Cordoba. Research in the fields of human and natural sciences conducted in these centers, particularly at Bayt al-Hikmah in Iraq, attracted many Western scholars who sought to study through the medium of Arabic. During this time, Arabic became the lingua franca for science and philosophy. Benefiting from the research works of eminent Muslim scholars, Renaissance scholars returned to Europe with new ideas. Important works by Ibn Sina (980-1037), Al-Farabi (897-950), Al-Ghazali (1058-1111), Al-Biruni (973-1050), Ibn Rushd (1126-1198), Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406), and others were translated into many European languages.