This article serves as a thought-provoking critique of Jim Al-Khalili’s publication, “The House of Wisdom: How Arabic Science Saved Ancient Knowledge and Gave Us the Renaissance,” highlighting inaccuracies and proposing more trustworthy sources for investigating the evolution of Islamic or Arabic science. The writer questions Al-Khalili’s assertion regarding the historical reality of the House of Wisdom and the statement that Ibn al-Haytham was the originator of the modern scientific method. Instead, the article advocates for the “Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science” edited by Roshdi Rashed for a broader comprehension. Furthermore, the author proposes examining Stephen P. Blake’s “Astronomy and Astrology in the Islamic World,” John M. Steele’s “A Brief Introduction to Astronomy in the Middle East,” and Ehsan Masood’s “Science and Islam: A History.” The article discusses the intricacies involved in naming the science developed under the influence of Islam, given the contributions from multiple cultural backgrounds. It underscores the extensive nature of the field and recommends additional reading to encompass wider aspects of medieval Islamic science, including mathematics and alchemy. The author recognizes the shortcomings of current mainstream literature in addressing the varied and rich contributions of Islamic scholars and offers an academic perspective for understanding these historical accounts.
