The Legacy of Muslim Astronomers in Medieval Maritime Supremacy and Its Importance in Today's Maritime Domain

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Muslims made unparalleled contributions to astronomy during the medieval period. The period from the 7th century to the 13th century was considered the Islamic Golden Age. Muslim scientists excelled in science and technology, especially in astronomy and other related fields. The incredible contribution of the Al-Battani and Piri Reis maps was repeatedly quoted by European astronomers, which is still considered the base of astronomy. Ahmed Ibn Majid guided Vasco da Gama (a Portuguese navigator) in achieving the first sea trade route from Europe to India in the mid-15th century. Their scientific innovation was largely transmitted to Europe through crusades and trade relations. Muslim scholars and scientists significantly influenced Western prosperity and urbanization, yet their contributions are often overlooked in favor of Greek works. This study aims to highlight the medieval scientific achievements of
Muslim scholars, particularly in astronomy, which played a crucial role in medieval naval ascendancy and still holds relevance in the 21st-century maritime domain. The study relies on qualitative analysis based on secondary data.
Keywords: Medieval period, Islamic Golden Age, Astronomy, Al-Battani, Piri Reis

ABSTRAK
Umat Islam memberikan sumbangan yang tiada tandingannya kepada astronomi pada zaman pertengahan. Tempoh dari abad ke-7 hingga abad ke-13 dianggap sebagai Zaman Keemasan Islam. Para saintis Islam cemerlang dalam bidang sains dan teknologi, terutamanya dalam bidang astronomi dan bidang lain yang berkaitan. Sumbangan luar biasa peta Al-Battani dan Piri Reis telah berulang kali dipetik oleh ahli astronomi Eropah, yang masih dianggap sebagai asas astronomi. Ahmed Ibn Majid membimbing Vasco da Gama (seorang pelayar Portugis) dalam mencapai laluan perdagangan laut pertama dari Eropah ke India pada pertengahan
abad ke-15. Inovasi saintifik mereka sebahagian besarnya dihantar ke Eropah melalui perang salib dan hubungan perdagangan. Cendekiawan dan saintis Muslim mempengaruhi kemakmuran dan urbanisasi Barat dengan ketara, namun sumbangan mereka sering diabaikan dan memihak kepada karya Yunani. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menyerlahkan pencapaian saintifik zaman pertengahan para sarjana Islam, khususnya dalam astronomi, yang memainkan peranan penting dalam penguasaan tentera laut zaman pertengahan dan masih relevan dalam domain maritim abad ke-21. Kajian ini bergantung kepada analisis kualitatif berdasarkan data sekunder.
Kata kunci: Zaman Pertengahan, Zaman Kegemilangan Islam, Astronomi, Al-Battani, Piri Reis