In the civilization of Islam during the Middle Ages, studies in the field of geography held a special place. At the heart of this significance lies both the divine command of the Qur’an encouraging people to travel across the earth and reflect, and the practical necessities arising from the vast expanse of the Islamic State, which stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the heartlands of Central Asia. One of the foremost scholars who made significant contributions in this field was al-Idrisi. His full name was Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Idris al-Sharif al-Sabti. Al-Idrisi is recognized not only in the history of Islam but also as one of the foremost geographers in the history of global science.
Yet, historical sources remain largely silent about the life of this great Muslim scholar. From the limited information available, it is known that this distinguished geographer, a descendant of Idris I, the founder of the Idrisi dynasty, was born in the year 1100 in the city of Sabtah, located on the African side of the Strait of Gibraltar. He completed his education in Córdoba, the cultural capital of al-Andalus. When we examine the historical records, it becomes clear that al-Idrisi was not merely a desk-bound scholar but one who gained his geographical knowledge in the field. Driven by a passion for exploration, al-Idrisi undertook long journeys across Spain and North Africa. Eventually, he settled in the city of Palermo, located in Sicily, where he continued his scientific work. It was also there that he passed away in the year 1166.
In the medieval world, Muslim scholars were particularly known for their boundless intellectual pursuits. It was entirely common during that era to see Muslim scholars travel in search of knowledge to major cultural and educational centers across the Islamic lands, studying under various teachers along the way. One such scholar was al-Idrisi, who, notably, carried out his work in the court of a Christian king, Roger II, known for his interest in science and philosophy. However, what deserves special attention here is the context of 12th-century Sicily, to which al-Idrisi was invited by royal decree to serve in the court of a Christian monarch. Muslim rule began on the island of Sicily, located in southern Italy, in the 9th century and lasted until the end of the 11th century. Although Muslim governance came to an end in 1090, Islamic culture and civilization continued to thrive and make significant advancements in Sicily. Compared to the rest of medieval Europe, Sicily possessed a highly advanced cultural and scientific atmosphere. The Christian kings who later took control of the island preserved the administrative and intellectual order established by the Muslims without disrupting it. One such ruler was the Norman King Roger II. Al-Idrisi was received with great respect by Roger II, who provided him with every means necessary to carry out his scholarly work. Under these favorable conditions, al-Idrisi produced the work that would earn him lasting fame in the history of geography. This work, prepared for King Roger II, was titled al-Kitab al-Rujari, also known by its full name Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi Ikhtiraq al-Afaq (Pleasant Journeys into Faraway Lands). Al-Idrisi’s book was the most authoritative geographical work written in the Middle Ages. In this comprehensive work, he divided the world into seven climatic zones and included a world map along with it. Furthermore, for each of the seven regions, he drew individual maps. The book offered detailed information on the geographical features, climates, mountains, and rivers of the known world at that time. In producing his scientific work, al-Idrisi benefited from the contributions of earlier Muslim geographers as well as those of ancient geographers. However, he went beyond merely compiling existing knowledge—through his own observations and conclusions, he identified the inaccuracies in earlier works and produced what was considered the most accurate and comprehensive depiction of the world in his time. This book is regarded as the most comprehensive geographical work of its time. What is particularly noteworthy is that al-Idrisi addressed, in a scientific manner, the issue of the Earth’s sphericity—an idea that would remain forbidden even to be discussed in medieval Europe for centuries. Long before the emergence of such theories in European scientific circles, the Muslim geographer developed well-founded arguments asserting that the Earth was spherical. According to al-Idrisi, the Earth was shaped like a sphere, and as one moved away from the poles, both climate and vegetation changed accordingly. As he continued to update and expand his knowledge, he also authored another important work as a supplement to his main book, titled Uns al-Muhaj wa Rawd al-Furaj.
However, another of al-Idrisi’s contributions that transcended the boundaries of his era in the history of science was his spherical world map. This work, commissioned by King Roger II, who had extended his patronage to al-Idrisi, followed a fascinating method. The map was crafted in the form of an inlaid engraving on silver and was circular in shape. In the West, this magnificent work became known as the Tabula Rogeriana. Unfortunately, the original map has not survived to the present day—it was destroyed during a rebellion amid political turmoil in the region of Sicily. However, fragments of another map created by al-Idrisi have reached the present day. Although this rectangular world map was preserved in the 20th century by reassembling its fragments, it had suffered such significant damage that it could not fully reflect its original value. Despite its damaged condition, the map remains a valuable historical document in the field of human geography, as it reflects the settlements and regional distributions of the period. All of these works produced by al-Idrisi, especially in the 12th century, during the medieval era, eventually paved the way for the advancement of cartographic studies in Europe. In addition to his contributions to geography, al-Idrisi’s significance was not limited to that field alone. Remarkably, he also authored a work related to botany and pharmacology. His book, Kitab al-Mufradat, dealt with subjects such as botany, zoology, and pharmacy. The book’s detailed discussion of numerous plants and fruits used in medicine at the time served as an enlightening resource for the pharmacologists of the era who were engaged in the preparation of medicinal remedies. In addition to his prominent identity as a geographer, this Muslim scholar was also deeply engaged in the field of geology. His studies and discoveries in geology earned him recognition as one of the most respected scholars of his time. Al-Idrisi’s life was, in every sense, devoted to science. From a young age, he traveled extensively through Spain, Portugal, the Atlantic coasts of France, southern England, North Africa, and Anatolia. As a result of these research journeys, he gathered valuable information that would later serve as a foundation for his geographical studies. His scientific legacy continued to live on even after his death. His books and works became important reference sources for future generations. Written with a scientific methodology, his works served as a guide for many scholars who made discoveries in the fields of geography and geology. In conclusion, al-Idrisi, a scholar nurtured in the intellectual climate of Islamic civilization, made a profound impact on the scientific pursuits of his era through both his work and his ideas. His legacy remains influential today, and his contributions to scientific thought continue to be celebrated with great appreciation.
