Indigenization of science in the Islamic civilization

Abstract

This study is an attempt to explain indigenization of science in the Islamic civilization. Indigenization of science refers to the transfer process of contemporary science from a different culture to another state or nation and simultaneously redigging the old science heritage of the other nation or nations nearest to the transferee state or nation. This process as claimed by Mohamad Zain had occurred in the Islamic civilization. Hence, this study analyses the situation which had occurred in the Islamic civilization in order to confirm or refute Mohamad Zain's claim. The importance of this study is relevant as many world civilizations including the European and Japanese civilizations had achieved excellence through the indigenization of science process. The methodology used is qualitative study through instrument analysis by way of textual and contextual study of prime sources. As a result, we find that indigenization of science did indeed take place in the Islamic civilization beginning with the translation of scientific works. The Islamic civilization had also carried out re-digging of old scientific heritage from earlier civilizations. This study also shows that the Islamic civilization was able to produce original scientific works written in Arabic language. This was the pinnacle of indigenization of science in the Islamic civilization. © Medwell Journals, 2012.