page_title: Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī
section_title: Early life
hierarchical_section_title: Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī / Early life
context_page_description: Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm ibn Yaḥyā al-Naqqāsh al-Zarqālī al-Tujibi; also known as Al-Zarkali or Ibn Zarqala, was an Arab Muslim instrument maker, astrologer, and the most important astronomer from the western part of the Islamic world.
  Although his name is conventionally given as al-Zarqālī, it is probable that the correct form was al-Zarqālluh. In Latin he was referred to as Arzachel or Arsechieles, a modified form of Arzachel, meaning 'the engraver'. He lived in Toledo, Al-Andalus before moving to Córdoba later in his life. His works inspired a generation of Islamic astronomers in Al-Andalus, and later, after being translated, were very influential in Europe. His invention of the Saphaea proved very popular and was widely used by navigators until the 16th century.
  The crater Arzachel on the Moon is named after him.
context_section_description: Al-Zarqālī was born in a village near the outskirts of Toledo, the then capital of the Taifa of Toledo.
  He was trained as a metalsmith and due to his burr skills he was nicknamed Al-Nekkach "the engraver of metals". His Latinized name, 'Arzachel' is formed from the Arabic al-Zarqali al-Naqqash, meaning 'the engraver'.
  He was particularly talented in Geometry and Astronomy. He is known to have taught and visited Córdoba on various occasions, and his extensive experience and knowledge eventually made him the foremost astronomer of his time. Al-Zarqālī was also an inventor, and his works helped to put Toledo at the intellectual center of Al-Andalus. He is also referred to in the works of Chaucer, as 'Arsechieles'.
  In the year 1085 Toledo was taken by the Christian king of Castile Alfonso VI. Al-Zarqālī and his colleagues, such as Al‐Waqqashi (1017–1095) of Toledo, had to flee. It is unknown whether the aged Al-Zarqālī fled to Cordoba or died in a Moorish refugee camp.
  His works influenced Ibn Bajjah (Avempace), Ibn Tufail (Abubacer), Ibn Rushd (Averroës), Ibn al-Kammad, Ibn al‐Haim al‐Ishbili and Nur ad-Din al-Betrugi (Alpetragius).
  In the 12th century, Gerard of Cremona translated al-Zarqali’s works into Latin. He referred to Al-Zarqali as an astronomer and magician. Ragio Montanous wrote a book in the 15th century on the advantages of the Sahifah al-Zarqalia. In 1530, the German scholar Jacob Ziegler wrote a commentary on one of al-Zarqali’s works. In his "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium", in the year 1530, Nicolaus Copernicus quotes the works of al-Zarqali and Al-Battani.
caption: Art from Toledo in Al-Andalus depicting the Alcázar in the year 976.AD
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