Al-Jahiz Foundress of Zoology

Hundreds of years before Western biologists sparked various theories, like evolution, natural selection, the struggle to live (struggle for existence), and the food chain, al-Jahiz in the 9th century AD have been revealing.

Al-Jahiz. That Abu Uthman Amr Ibn al-Kinani Bahral-Fuqaimi often nicknamed al-Basri. He is a renowned Muslim scholar in 9th century AD Al-Jahiz is legendary all-around Muslim scholar who mastered Arabic literature, Islamic sciences, biology, grammar, history, psychology, rhetoric, and zoology.

Al-Jahiz''is the greatest scientist and author with stunning style in the 9th century AD,''praised the Western scientist, Christopher Dawson. Its action as the great poet has made the Western world admired him. ''He was one of the greatest prose writers in classical Arabic literary world,''said Bernard Lewis. Similar praise also disclosed HAR Gibb and Philip K. Hitti.

Hitti famous with his book entitled History of the Arabs said,''Al-Jahiz is one prolific writer and to rap quoted scholars in Arabic literature.''Gibb called al-Jahiz as a writer who sparked Arabic prose style. All comments tar and praise it shows how al-Jahiz is phenomenal Muslim scholar whose work is able to penetrate the insulation of time and geography.

Besides known as a great poet of all time, al-Jahiz also had been instrumental in developing the biological sciences. Hundreds of years before Western biologists sparked various theories, like evolution, natural selection, the struggle to live (struggle forexistence), and the food chain, al-Jahiz in the 9th century AD have been revealing.

Unfortunately, the fruit has been claimed that he thought of Western civilization. Ironically, Muslims in the modern era did not know the achievements of Muslim scientists in the golden era. No wonder if sekolahsekolah in Indonesia's largest Islamic nations in the world-both public and religious schools do not teach it to their students an important discovery.

The biology students were taught only the West that has 'stolen' Islamic scholar and writer. As a result, they are more admired than the achievement of Western scientists in the era of Islamic Caliphate. Al-Jahiz original idea about a series of important theory in biology that, dipaparkannya in Kitab al-Hayawan (Book of Animals).

Kitab al-Hayawan is a free zoology which consists of seven volumes. In it, al-Jahiz peeling and describes more than 350 species of animals. The book is viewed by historians of science as a great and important work that has been afforded al-Jahiz for modern human civilization. In particular, al-Jahiz raikan has condemned the theory of evolution in his book. The theory is based on the influence of environment on animals. In addition, he also was thinking about the impact of environment on animal survival. This is the forerunner to the theory of struggle for existence.

In the same book, al-Jahiz elaborate ideas of natural selection and the food chain. Animals''was involved in a struggle to preserve his life; find food, avoid a prey species, and breed. Environmental factors influence organisms to develop new characteristics to ensure permanent survival, then transformed into a new species,''such a sound theory of stuggle for existence is written in the Kitab al-Hayawan.

Brilliant theories about animal science make feasible al-Jahiz ditabalkan as the foundation stone of modern zoology. So, who exactly al-Jahiz it? HAR Gibb revealed, al-Jahiz is the grandson of a black slave. He was born in Basrah, Iraq, in 781 AD

Indeed, al-Jahiz come from poor families who often wound around financial issues. He had become an orphan at the age of several months. Poverty does not make the family of al-Jahiz surrender. The mother encourages her son to keep learning. Al-Jahiz mother schooled the Qur'anic school in his native land.

At that time, al-Jahiz like to hang out with a bevy of young men in a mosque in Basra. There, they discussed a wide range of science subjects. Al-Jahiz and then learning from a line of scientists. He continued his studies until the age of 25 years. Dilute and brilliant brain make it able to master a variety of knowledge.

His will is hard to master the various science trigger it to be more diligent in reading. All written and important works dilahapnya, including the Greek translation of books and Greek philosophy, especially Aristotle fruit. Gleaming metropolis of Baghdad as the world's intellectuals have also attracted the attention of al-Jahiz. He then decided to move to the center of the Abbasid Dynasty.

One of the first place that he came in Baghdad is Baital-boon or House of Wisdom-study center and the largest in the world of science. He is taking advantage of opportunities provided by the Caliph, who liked to science to develop his abilities.

When settled in Basra, al-Jahiz already known as a writer. Since childhood, his mother had instilled a love of books. Once, one day his mother offered him a tray full of notebooks. Her mother then said that he will get a life of writing. Writing then became an integral part of life in the life of al-Jahiz. During his life, he has authored more than 450 titles. That's what makes Philp K Hitti mendaulatnya as one of the scientists terproduktif Muslim. Unfortunately, that still remains and persist through space and time is just 30 titles.

After 50 years in Baghdad, al-Jahiz then decided to return to the land of his birth, Basra. He died in that city on January 869. There is also a belief, the scientist was born on December 868 AD However, the cause of death is unclear. There is a history of saying that he had an accident, buried in a book in his personal library. However, there is an other version says that he suffered pain and died in the month of Muharram.

Al-Jahiz has authored many books. Kitab al-Hayawan is one of his most famous work. Al-Jahiz is a great man who could prove that people from poor families, not the obstacle to getting higher education, more than 12 centuries ago. His book Kitab al Hayawan a great influence in the Muslim and European scientists, such as Lamark and Darwin. Ruslan heri / Desy susilawati

The scientist's masterpiece

Kitab al-Hayawan

Kitab al-Hayawan is free about a variety of animal species which consists of seven volumes. In the free, al-Jahiz wrote about 350 kinds of animals. In the book, he had expressed a series of important theory in biology, like evolution, the struggle for existence, food chain, as well as natural selection.

Kitab al-Bukhala

A collection of stories about greed. Presented with a humorous writing style and sarcastic. This book is one example of the style of al-Jahiz write actual prose. The book also peeling of human psychology. In the book, al-Jahiz try sarcastic school teacher, beggars, singers and writers are greedy. The book was judged as the best literary work.

Kitab al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin

This is a book about rhetoric that is written al-Jahiz. In the book, he describes the technique of speech, epic, style of talking, debating techniques, as well as other communication tips.

Book Moufakharat al Jawari wal Ghilman

In Arabic, the word is the plural form of jawari jariya which means a servant girl aka mistress. In the book, al-Jahiz explained there are two types jariya. The book tells the life of two types jariya. While the word is plural ghoulam ghilman or a young male servant. This book describes the story attracted the attention because of Arab society erotic.