Constellations Thesis Book by Nesrin Zidan

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Ptolemy’s Almagest was among
these translated texts that had the biggest
impact (the Latinized version of the Arabic
title Al-Majisti, or “Great Compilation”).
The book, which explains how the sun
and planets revolve around a fixed earth,
became the most crucial starting point
for astronomers operating in the Islamic
world. They sought to develop ideas about
the celestial bodies that would account
for these contradictions after identifying
differences between scientific models and
reality, supported by their observational
records.
Astronomical knowledge was crucial
because it made it easier to execute
Islam ritually correctly, which had a practical
purpose in the Muslim world. Daily
prayers are called at times set by the position
of the sun and are always performed
facing Mecca, the holiest city in Islam,
where the Ka’ba is located (the Qibla direction).
Due to the lunar nature of the Islamic
calendar, each month begins when
the new moon first becomes visible. To
accurately predict festivals and other significant
dates, such as the beginning of
Ramadan, when Muslims are compelled
to fast throughout the day, precise moon
observation is essential to establishing a
satisfying calendar (Astronomy and Astrology).
Interest in Astrology, however,
isn’t met with the same enthusiasm in
the Islamic world. The Qur’an states that
“No one but God shall know the future”
(Surah Luqman 31:34). There has always
been a strong interest in astrology, and
Islamic rulers virtually always used astrological
factors to guide their judgments
and actions. In astrology, two trends may
be identified. The first is grounded in data
and based on measurements or mathematical
theory i.e., mathematical astronomy,
whereas the second is irrational and mystical,
with no basis in any type of math.
Many Islamic philosophers had scathing
criticism towards astrology and its practitioners,
obviously referring to the second
type.