The book of al-jabr, c. 820 CE

Chapter 8 · Baghdad and the golden age11 / 58

205 AH

KnowledgeBaghdad, Iraqabout 1,200 years ago

Approximate date

The book of al-jabr

Al-Khwarizmi writes his book on al-jabr, 'completion and balancing', which gives algebra its name. Much of it works out the inheritance shares set by the Quran.

Al-KhwarizmiAl-Mamun

Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

Quran 4:11-12

Source: History ·

Every moment in the timeline

Borders come from Cliopatria, the open map of the Seshat Global History Databank (CC BY 4.0), and are approximate. Dates before 1000 BCE are estimates, and for the earliest prophets the Quran gives the order of events but not their years. Sources: the Quran, Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Seerah of Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Kathir's al-Bidaya wan-Nihaya, and standard histories. See also the villains of Islamic history, from Iblis to the Dajjal, and the library of people, nations, empires and places.

1. The beginningAdam to Nuh · dates unknown

2. Early nationsc. 3500 to 1600 BCE

3. Ibrahim and his familyc. 2000 to 1700 BCE

4. Musa and the Children of Israelc. 1350 to 540 BCE

5. Empires and Isa539 BCE to 600 CE

6. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ570 to 632 CE

7. The first caliphates632 to 750 CE

8. Baghdad and the golden age751 to 1258 CE

9. Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals1260 to 1798 CE

10. Colonial age to today1804 CE to now

11. Signs of the HourStill to come