The call of the muezzin : : studies in astronomical timekeeping and instrumentation in medieval Islamic civilization : (studies I-IX) / / by David King.

• Superior document: Islamic philosophy, theology, and science, v. 55
• Author: King, David A.
• Year of Publication: 2004
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Islamic philosophy, theology, and science ; v. 55.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (987 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

King (history of science, F.W. Goethe U., Frankfurt, Germany), in the first of two volumes, presents an analysis of over 500 manuscripts that document the use of the sun and stars to keep time, an essential task in determining the hour of prayer, which is called by the muezzin in the Islamic world. (Volume 2 will be devoted to the instruments used

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS; Preface 1; Preface 2; Statement on previous publication of parts of this work; Bibliography and bibliographical abbreviations; Part I A survey of tables for timekeeping by the sun and stars; Part II A survey of tables for regulating the times of prayer; Part III A survey of arithmetical shadow-schemes for time-reckoning; Part IV On the times of Muslim prayer; Part V On the role of the muezzin and the muwaqqit in medieval Islamic societies; Part VIa Universal solutions in Islamic astronomy

Part VIb Universal solutions to problems of spherical astronomy from Mamluk Syria and EgyptPart VIIa The orientation of medieval Islamic religious architecture and cities; Part VIIb Architecture and astronomy: the ventilators of medieval Cairo and their secrets; Part VIIc Safavid world-maps centred on Mecca; Part VIII Aspects of practical astronomy in mosques and monasteries; Part IX When the night sky over Qandahar was lit only by stars; Indexes