Islam Creator of the Modern Age
3. Muslim Contribution to Science
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inscription has been found with such a symbol
before the ninth century.”
63
It is true then that the concept of zero had first
formed in the mind of an Indian. But at that period
in history, India was dominated wholly by
polytheism and superstition. Everything was
shrouded in mystery and inventions were abhorred.
That was why the concept of zero did not receive
general recognition in ancient India. It was reduced
to a mere discovery of an individual, and thus
failed to win general approval. The seed of India,
neglected at home, did, however, fall on fertile soil
in Muslim Baghdad, where it flowered into a tree
and then, via Muslim Spain, spread all over Europe.
Yet, without Islam having first put an end to the
concepts of polytheism and superstition, the
concept of zero—like so many other innovative
ideas—could not have been universally welcomed.
AGRICULTURE
The river was one of those phenomena of nature
held to possess divine attributes. People believed
