Underground Rivers - University of New Mexico

Chapter 5 -- The Crescent
Thus the words do not mean that the gardens of Paradise would have underground rivers. The
words here signify a relative lower altitude of the rivers and not their being underground. The
following verse portrays such a garden,
And the likeness of those who spend their wealth, seeking to please Allah and to
strengthen their souls is as a garden high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it
yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not heavy rain, light moisture
suffices it. Allah sees well whatever you do. (2:265)
At another place, the Qur'an has mentioned the various types of rivers that will flow in
Paradise:
[Here is] a description of the Paradise which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers
of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a
joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear. (47:15)
Paradise, we are thus informed, thus does not necessarily include underground rivers.
But our debt to Islam isn't the answer to that question, had it occurred to us to wonder. The debt
is much greater; it's for preserving the Hellenistic roots of Western culture.
A side-by-side timetable helps tell the story. The political events highlight the rise and fall of
Arabic influence. The intellectual events relate to the stewardship of Greek understanding.
476 Fall of Rome
489
529
Highlights of Middle Eastern Political and Intellectual History
c. 610 Muhammad receives first vision.
630-642
710
732
c. 750
Late eighth
century
Political Highlights Intellectual Highlights
Muslims capture Mecca. Arabia vows
allegiance to Islam. Arab armies take
Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia,
North African coast and portions of
Persia and Byzantium.
Arab armies invade Spain from North
Africa.
Battle of Tours thwarts northward
Arabic advance.
Maximum extent of Arabic Empire
DRAFT 1122//66//22001122
The Persian school of Jundishapur
gives refuge to Nestorian Christians.
Refuge given to those from Plato’s
Academy
Persian, Greek and Jewish scholars in
Baghdad begin translating classical
Greek works into Arabic. The center
of intellectual thought passes from
Europe to the Middle East
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