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.

Except for a few, many Europeans failed to acknowledge that the ideas provided by Muslim scholars acted as an impetus for the European Renaissance movement. In other words, the contributions of Muslim scholars served as a 'spark' that ignited Western scholar's quest for knowledge and enlightenment. The Europeans did not stop after acquiring knowledge from the Muslims; they further researched and developed this knowledge, applying it to other areas of inquiry.

Interestingly, during the heyday of Islamic civilization, many Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian experts were employed as teachers and translators of ancient manuscripts in Islamic centers of intellectual activity. Notably, the most famous center for research, learning, and translation work was Bayt al-Hikmah in Baghdad. It was common to see people communicating in Arabic, Farsi, Aramaic, Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, and Latin at Bayt al-Hikmah.

The mindset of Muslims at that time held that religion is a divine matter, and its fundamental teachings should not be compromised, while civilization is a human product. Therefore, it was entirely natural for one civilization to learn from another. A keen reader of history would agree that Islamic civilization, as a dynamic force, learned and borrowed ideas from earlier civilizations such as the Greek, Persian, and Indian.

This fact of borrowing ideas from different civilizations has also been highlighted by Iqbal (1877-1938), the great Muslim poet-philosopher. He emphasized that there was a time when European thought received inspiration from the Islamic world.

Many centuries later, after freeing themselves from colonialism, the Muslim world began to imitate some of the dynamism found in Western science and technology. For Iqbal, this act of borrowing ideas from the West was akin to reclaiming the lost heritage of Muslims from the past.

Present Condition of the Muslim World

Muslims who once created great empires and a vibrant civilization now face numerous problems from within and outside their countries. The Muslim world, which was once seen as a civilizational force producing intelligentsia across many disciplines, lost its prestigious position as the custodian of knowledge after European colonization and during the post-colonial period.

Colonization inflicted an ego dent on Muslims, creating an inferiority complex. Consequently, they began to lag behind others in terms of science, technology, and nation-building.

In many ways, colonization divided Muslims, causing disunity among them. As a fractured Ummah, Muslim countries lost the strength to speak as a single nation. This situation allowed foreign powers to exploit their divisions. Different political aspirations have led to wars and sectarian violence, which remain prevalent in many Muslim countries.

Nations like Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen have experienced warfare; some are still embroiled in conflict. Additionally, the occupation and confiscation of Palestinian lands by Israel have resulted in immense suffering.

Over many decades of Israeli rule, countless innocent Palestinians, including children and women, have been brutally tortured and killed. An estimated six million Palestinians are forced to live in exile as asylum seekers and refugees in Europe and the Americas.

To some extent, external forces are to blame for exacerbating this situation, using mass media to create turmoil in Muslim countries. Their motives often revolve around seizing wealth derived from natural resources like oil and gas. The lack of clarity and an understanding of these deceitful strategies have caused Muslim nations to turn against one another.

Ongoing wars have led to civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure, and environmental degradation. The conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and other regions of the Muslim world have eroded faith in governments, prompting many to seek safer environments.

Consequently, countless migrants have braved treacherous terrains and perilous seas to reach foreign lands. Reports indicate that approximately 25 million Muslims—refugees, migrants, or asylum seekers—now reside in Europe.

Their presence is not always welcomed, as some locals complain that the influx of Muslims has increased the burden on their governments to accommodate these newcomers, who bring with them cultures distinct from European norms. These Muslims have left behind their homes and possessions in search of security and peace.

Unfortunately, in certain parts of Europe, they face discrimination, racism, marginalization, and anti-Islamic sentiments, commonly referred to as Islamophobia. While this scenario is heartbreaking, it is essential to recognize that much of the blame lies with the political leaders in their countries of origin.

A leadership crisis has long plagued many Muslim countries. The greed for power and control over national wealth has fostered rivalry among political leaders. This obsession with power has created an unhealthy political atmosphere. It has become commonplace for leaders in Muslim nations to discredit and attack one another's policies.

Such a political climate not only harms the welfare of their citizens but also provides external forces with opportunities to tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims. The political arena has devolved into a realm of smear campaigns, character assassination, conspiracy, and lies.

In some countries, terror attacks, suicide bombings, and assassination attempts have become distressingly common—all in pursuit of electoral victories or coups d'état. Excessive politicking often leads to neglect of critical issues such as the economy, foreign investment, education, health, and poverty eradication.

This neglect can push nations further into backwardness, preventing them from catching up with the rest of the world. When conflict arises between two Muslim countries, a significant portion of the national budget is redirected toward military needs, particularly the purchase of armaments to bolster military might. It would be wiser for these nations to engage in peace negotiations rather than resorting to warfare.

Leaders should prioritize the safety of their people and allocate resources toward education and healthcare instead of weapons. Fearing war and political instability, professionals and experts often migrate to Europe and other regions seeking better opportunities, living standards, and research facilities. This brain drain only exacerbates the backwardness of their home countries, making it difficult for them to compete globally.

The writers believe that these challenges in the Muslim world are closely tied to the mindset of both leaders and citizens. If they were to adopt a broader perspective—integrating spirituality, science, and philosophy—they could function more dynamically.

This mode of thinking could enable them to overcome their backwardness and transform their nations into progressive and prosperous ones, effectively eradicating poverty, illiteracy, political chaos, and war.

-Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak is an Academic Fellow at the Department of Fundamental & Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM.

- Dr. Hayatullah Laluddin is an Asst. Professor at the Kulliyyah Of Economics and Management Sciences, IIUM.