Hundred Great Muslims

Hundred Great Muslims
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solution of cubic and quadratic equations with the help of conic sections is
probably the most advanced work of Arabic mathematics that he left for us.
"His skill as a geometer", says Max Mayerhof, "is equal to his literary erudition
and revealsreal logical power and penetration".
In Physics, Umar's researches are devoted to specific weight of gold and
silver. The Tarikhul Fi gives the Mizamul Hukama which determines the method
of ascertaining the weight of objects studded with precious stones without
taking out such stones.
During the reign of Malik Shah Seljuki, his illustrious Grand Vizier,
Nizamul Mulk Toosi, a great patron oflearning, had invited a body of savants to
carry out astronomical observations which was headed by Umar Khayyam and
Abdur Rahman Hazini. Their efforts led to the reform of Calendar which was
in advance of the Gregorian by 600 years and, according to Sedillot, an authority
on the subject, "it is more exact". The famous observatory where Umar carried
out his astronomical researches was constructed at Ray and the Calendar
formulated by Umar is known as At Tarikh-al Jalali.
According to the latest research conducted by Soviet orientatists, the Code
of Rules on Astronomy, a hitherto anonymous treatise, is now definitely
attributed to Umar Khayyam, an outstanding Persian poet and scientist of the
Middle Ages.
The authorship of the treatise has been established by Nuriya Hairetdinova,
a young mathematician from the Teachers' Training Institute in Ferghana,
Uzbekistan. Her conclusions have been supported by prominent Soviet
orientalists.
She has analysed the Code of Rules which consists of a preface, six
preambles and three books, by using a photostat copy of the manuscript kept at
the Istanbul library.
Her research has helped glean new information on the development of
spherical trigonometry in the mediaeval Orient, and the scientific viewsof Umar
Khayyam, the initiator of a reforms of the old Arabic calendar and the author of
famous treatises on mathematics and other fields of knowledge.
The treatise kept in Istanbul was re-written in 1235. A searching textual
analysis helped the Uzbek mathematician to establish that Umar Khayyam
finished this treatise in 1094 A.C.
Of his death the following story is told by Nuzhatul-Arwah. "On the day
of his death, Umar was attentively reading the Book ofHealing, a metaphysical
work of Avicenna. When he oame upon the chapter titled, 'One and Many', he
put aside the book, stood up, offered his prayers and made his last 'injunctions
to his friends and relations. Since then he neither ate nor drank till the evening