Muhammad Al idrisi | Muslim Scientist who Created the World Map

What did people used to think the world looked like? From the beginning of human history to right before the age of exploration, how were world maps created?
Muhammad al-Idrisi, also known as Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani as-Sabti, was a Muslim geographer and cartographer who served in the court of King Roger II at Palermo, Sicily. Born in Ceuta, which was then part of the Almoravid dynasty, al-Idrisi created the Tabula Rogeriana, one of the most advanced medieval world maps. His contributions to cartography and geographic knowledge were significant.

Early Life: Al-Idrisi was born into the Hammudid dynasty of North Africa and Al-Andalus. He traveled extensively through North Africa and Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain and Portugal), acquiring detailed information on both regions. His travels also took him to parts of Europe, including Portugal, the Pyrenees, the French Atlantic coast, Hungary, and Jórvík (now known as York).

Tabula Rogeriana: Al-Idrisi’s most famous work is the Tabula Rogeriana, drawn for Roger II of Sicily in 1154. This map, considered one of the most accurate pre-modern world maps, incorporated knowledge from Islamic merchants and explorers about Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Far East, along with information brought by Norman voyagers. It served as a concrete illustration of his larger work, the Kitab nuzhat al-mushtaq (Latin: Opus Geographicum), which translates to “A Diversion for the Man Longing to Travel to Far-Off Places” 12.

In summary, Muhammad al-Idrisi’s contributions to medieval cartography and geographic enlightenment continue to be studied and appreciated today.