Ufuk Necat Tasci

A prolific scientist of the ninth century, Thabit ibn Qurra's contributions have shaped modern mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, physics and more.

Ibn Khaldun is often called the father of the social sciences. But his legacy extends far beyond that title and is influential to other disciplines, including economics and political science. We trace his legacy, from Karl Marx to Adam Smith.

Medieval Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta can lay claim to being the greatest explorer of all time. His exhaustive 'Rihlah' - "travels" in Arabic - chronicles his journeys, covering some 75,000 miles from North Africa to China.

Three orphaned brothers, known as the Banu Musa, were among the first Arab scientists to master the Greek mathematical works. They would go on to lay the foundations for the Arabic school of mathematics and pioneer advances in geometry and mechanics.

Rufaida Al-Aslamia, who lived during the time of the Prophet, was a pioneering figure in the field of Islamic medicine and social work. She is widely acknowledged as the first female Muslim nurse and the first woman surgeon in Islamic history.