In the early ages of
Islám the peoples of Europe acquired the sciences and arts of civilization from
Islám as practiced by the inhabitants of Andalusia. A careful and thorough
investigation of the historical record will establish the fact that the major part
of the civilization of Europe is derived from Islám; for all the writings of
Muslim scholars and divines and philosophers were gradually collected in Europe
and were with the most painstaking care weighed and debated at academic
gatherings and in the centers of learning, after which their valued contents
would be put to use. Today, numerous copies of the works of Muslim scholars
which are not to be found in Islamic countries, are available in the libraries
of Europe. Furthermore, the laws and principles current in all European
countries are derived to a considerable degree and indeed virtually in their
entirety from the works on jurisprudence and the legal decision of Muslim
theologians. Were it not for the fear of unduly lengthening the present text, We
would cite these borrowings one by one.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
