Introduction:
Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham is his full name.
Born: Basra (present-day Iraq), 965 CE
Alhazen is another name for it in the West.
Who Was Ibn Al-Haytham?
Known for his pioneering work in optics (the study of light and vision), Ibn Al-Haytham was a renowned Muslim scientist, mathematician, and philosopher. He is frequently referred to as the “Father of Optics.“
What Did He Do?
1 Visual and Light Experiments
He made a significant discovery for his time when he was the first to clarify that light enters the eyes from outside sources rather than the eyes themselves emitting light!
The Book of Optics was written by
In his most well-known work, “Kitab al-Manazir” (Book of Optics), he described refraction, reflection, and the functioning of the human eye. For centuries, people in Europe studied this text.
Ibn Al-Haytham established the Scientific Method, emphasizing observation, experimentation, and conclusion—the cornerstones of contemporary scientific thought
Inventions & Discoveries
presented the idea of the Camera Obscura, which served as the model for contemporary cameras.
discovered the laws of reflection and refraction and described the anatomy and physiology of the eye.
used lenses and mirrors in his research.
Science and Faith Together
According to Ibn Al-Haytham, pursuing knowledge is a kind of worship. He believed that science was a means of comprehending Allah’s (God’s) magnificence via His creation.
Legacy
His contributions established the groundwork for contemporary photography, physics, and vision science. NASA named the Ibn Al-Haytham Crater on the Moon in his honor for his achievements.
Conclusion
Ibn Al-Haytham was a visionary as well as a scientist. His life serves as a powerful illustration of how science and Islam may coexist and guide humanity with both knowledge and faith.
