Muslims today are often portrayed as barbarians and Islam is said to have “no place in the modern world.” However, many modern inventions that are at the cornerstone of our current culture come from Islamic societies. We blame Islam for a lot, but here are some things to thank it for:
1. Coffee
Coffee beans originate from Ethiopia and Yemen (predominately Muslim countries). Although the exact discovery is debated, one of the most common theories is that an Ethiopian herder realized his goats got very energetic after eating a certain berry, so he tried it himself and found that he got the same energy boost. He took the berry to a monastery to show the monks, they made the berries into a drink and realized that it helped them stay awake during night prayers. Word of this “special drink” made its way around the world and now we have Starbucks and caffeine addictions.
The words coffee and café actually come from the Arabic word, qahwa.
2. Universities
The first university in the world, The University of Al-Karaouine was founded in Fes, Morocco by Fatima al-Fihiri in 859. That is why it's ironic when groups like the Taliban and other societies restrict women from going to school. They invented it!
3. Toothbrushes
The Prophet Mohammad was the first to conceptualize toothbrushes by using tree twigs with sanitary attributes called miswak. Islam emphasizes hygiene, so it comes to no surprise that this practice spread quickly throughout Islamic societies and eventually around the world.
4. Hospitals
Modeled off of Christian poor and sick relief facilities, Islamic societies established the first elaborate medical institutes. These hospitals, with the first being established in 872 Cairo, Egypt, offered all patients free health care (an original concept at the time).
5. Algebra
Engineering in all of its forms would be nearly impossible without algebra. The system was developed by Muslim scholar, Al-Khwarizmi. He authored a book called ""Hisab Al-jabr w’al-muqabala". Al-jabr is where we get the word algebra, which loosely translated means "restoration of broken parts".
6. Guitars
The modern day guitar has many influences, but the origin can be traced to the Arabic Oud. The Oud was brought to Spain in the Middle Ages, where it was referred to as a qitar.
7. Glasses
If you wear glasses to see, thank Muslim scholar Abu Ali Hasen (Alhazen) He is know as the father of modern optics. His accurate description of the eye and how vision works, as well as the process of light refraction is the basis for the invention of modern day magnify glasses and eye glasses.
8. Marching bands
What football game would be complete without a marching band? The concept was taken from the Ottoman Empire, who would have a military band play during battles, to support the soldiers. European armies found this interesting and adapted the practice themselves.
