Ibn Asy-Syathir: An Expert in the Science of Falaq Who is Known as a Reformer

Illustration of falaq (Freepic) science

YOGYAKARTA - Of the many scientists in the Falaq field, did you know that Ibnu Asy Syathir is a falaq expert who is referred to as a reformer? Many say that the Islamist scientist from Damascus has a big contribution to the development of modern astronomy because it helps lead old astronomy to a new picture of the universe.

Ibnu Asy-Syathir (part wrote Ibnu Al-Shudtir) has the long name Alauddin Ali bin Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Anshari Al-Muaqqit Al-Falaki Ad-Dzimasyqi. Before being known as a figure of falaq science, he was actually known as a wood kirker who lived in the range of 704 H or 1304 masehi who later died in the year 1375 masehi at the age of 71 years.

While he was still alive, Ibnu Asy-Syathir did work as a carpenter, but he also became a muadzin or call to prayer at the Umawi Mosque in Damascus. Because of his responsibility as a muadzin he really pays attention to prayer time.

In an article entitled "Ibn Al-Shiftir's Thoughts about Astronomy published in the journal International Journal Ihya" Ulum Al-Din, it is said that according to Western civilization, the astronomical figure who is widely claimed to be the reformer is Nicolaus Copernicus.

Copernicus is the originator of the Solar System's heliocentricism theory. However, the facts studied by astronomical historians say that the mathematical idea described by Copernicus in a book entitled De Revolutionibus has similarities to the book ever written by Ibnu Asy-Syathir 100 years earlier entitled Nihayat al-Sul Fi Tashih al-Usul. This means that Corpernicus's thoughts are influenced by the results of Ibnu Asy-Syathir's thoughts.

It should be noted that Nicolaus Copernicus is the originator of the heliocentric theory who says that the sun is the center of the solar system. Meanwhile, Ibnu Asy-Syathir has previously introduced the existence of an epicycle, which is a circle system in a circle. In his theory, Ibnu Asy-Syathir has also tried to explain the movement of the mercury planet if the planet Earth becomes the center of the universe.

Not only theory, Ibnu Asy-Syathir also succeeded in creating auxiliary tool for astronomy and Falak knowledge, some of which were as follows.

Astrolabe is a tool used to measure the time and position of celestial bodies including stars and the sun.

Ibnu Asy-Syathir created a sundial, the oldest solar hour in human civilization. Even this hour is known from 3500 BC.

In the early 14th century AD, Ibnu al-Syryptir is widely said to have created a compass in the form of a time gauge by combining the sun clock with a magnetic compass.

For his contribution, Ibnu Asy-Syathir, who is a Muslim astronomer as well as a mathematician, machine, and inventor, is known as a falaq expert who is known as a reformer. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.