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The Turkish-Islamic scholar Al-Biruni, who illuminated the scientific world with his first discoveries and inventions, made significant contributions to various fields including physics, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, trigonometry, geography, geodesy, pharmacology, geology, philology, and religion, producing a total of 113 works.

Al-Biruni, whose full name was Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni, was born on the 4th of September 973 CE (3rd Zilhijja 362 in the Islamic calendar) in the city of Kath, the central city of the Khwarezm region. His exact date of death is not known, but it is commonly accepted by researchers that he passed away in 1061 CE (453 AH). Furthermore, Biruni did not provide detailed information about his family, ancestry, or ethnic origin in his works.

Early Education from Abu Nasr Mansur

Due to his brilliant intellect, Al-Biruni caught the attention of the era's famous mathematician and astronomer, Abu Nasr Mansur ibn Ali ibn Irak, who played a pivotal role in his education and intellectual development. Biruni refers to Mansur as "my teacher" in his work *Al-Asar al-Baqiya*. Influenced by the works of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle, Archimedes, and Democritus, Al-Biruni began his scientific studies at the age of 17. He calculated the height of the Sun and the longitude of the city, determined when the seasons began by observing the Sun's movements, and calculated the Earth's circumference, which was very close to the modern value. He is also considered the founder of geodesy. While in India, he argued that trigonometry should be regarded as a science separate from astronomy. He proposed using the radius as the unit for trigonometric functions.

Starting scientific work in his youth, Al-Biruni was forced to leave his homeland of Khwarezm due to political and military upheavals, and he lived in Rey for a time before returning to his native land, where he created the works that would make him one of the most significant figures in the history of science.

Developed Several Instruments and Calendar Systems

Al-Biruni developed many instruments for astronomical and geographical measurements. Unfortunately, most of the instruments he developed have been lost over time, with only a few such as the pycnometer, mechanical astrolabe, and certain map projections surviving to the present day. He was also a prominent encyclopedic writer. In his book *Al-Asar al-Baqiya an al-Quruni al-Haliya*, he illustrated the calendar systems used in the Middle East and Near East.

Laid the Foundations of Astronomy

Describing the early medieval science of India, Al-Biruni laid the foundations for mathematics, astronomy, and astrology. In his book *Al-Qanun al-Masudi*, he wrote a detailed mathematical geography treatise. In his book *Istihrac al-Awtar fi Da'ira*, he defined the topography of Central Asia. In *Kitab al-Jamahir fi Ma'rifat al-Jawahir*, he provided detailed information on over 50 minerals, metals, alloys, and porcelain. His work also included the specific gravity of each substance to differentiate them. In his book *Kitab al-Saydalat*, he listed the plants he studied and comprehensively discussed which natural medicines were effective for specific diseases.

The Land Beyond the Seas

700 years before Newton, Al-Biruni proposed the first ideas on the theory of gravity that Newton would later mathematically prove. Observing with telescopes, he supported the idea that planets revolve around the Sun, a concept Galileo would confirm 600 years later. Al-Biruni argued that if the Earth was rotating, why didn’t trees and stones fly off, explaining that a central force was pulling everything toward the Earth’s center. He predicted that there was land beyond the seas (which turned out to be America).

The 11th Century Became Known as the “Century of Biruni”

The 10th and 11th centuries were pivotal for the Turkish-Islamic world, represented by Al-Biruni, who dedicated his entire life to science. Georges Sarton, known as the father of modern science, named the 11th century as the "Century of Biruni." Leading Islamic Science Historian, Professor Dr. Fuat Sezgin, points out that the intellectual exchange between the 27-year-old Biruni and the 18-year-old Ibn Sina regarding the concept of the speed of light would be impossible to replicate even in modern-day Turkey. These discussions reflect Biruni's importance in his era.

Never Stopped Learning

The famous Fiqh scholar Abu al-Hasan al-Velvaleji recounts:

“I went to visit Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, who was lying in bed, struggling to breathe. He asked me, ‘Do you remember the equation you once told me about calculating the inheritance rights of grandmothers? What was it again?’ I felt sympathy for him and said, ‘Even at this moment, you’re asking me about that?’ He replied, ‘Is it better for me to leave this world without knowing this, or should I leave knowing it?’ I explained it to him again, and he listened and memorized it. Then he began discussing the things he planned to do. Shortly after, I heard loud crying and wailing from his room. I turned around, and it was then I realized that Abu Rayhan al-Biruni had passed away.”

“The Universal Genius Who Lived in Central Asia”

Al-Biruni passed away at the age of 75. He inspired many later scientists such as Newton, Torricelli, Copernicus, and Galileo. In 1974, The UNESCO Courier magazine, published in 15 languages including Turkish, dedicated an issue to Al-Biruni, calling him “The Universal Genius Who Lived in Central Asia Thousands of Years Ago.”