Introduction:
Al-Farghani had a keen interest in engineering, leading to significant contributions by scholars recounting episodes of his life. According to Ibn Taghribardī, he supervised the construction of the "Great Instrument" (also known as the "New Instrument") at the site of Fustat. Completed in 861 CE, the construction coincided with the demise of Caliph Al-Mutawakkil, who had ordered its creation.
Background and Controversies:
Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir al-Farghani, a distinguished figure in medieval times, hailed from Farghana beyond the river. There are differing opinions regarding his name, with discrepancies even in renowned texts. For instance, Banūlāndīm's "Al-Fihrist" only mentions Muhammad ibn Kathir and Abu al-Faraj writes only Ahmad ibn Kathir.
Ibn Khalikān's "Wafayāt al-A'yān" mentions Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir as well. This variance in names, possibly due to their most famous book titles differing, led Ibn al-Qifti to mention two distinct personalities under Al-Farghani, namely Muhammad al-Farghani and Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Farghani. However, it is widely believed that these refer to the same individual, who served as the astronomer of Caliph Al-Mamun and remained alive even at the time of Al-Mutawakkil's death in 816 CE.
Engineering Expertise and Challenges:
Despite his prominence in astronomy, Al-Farghani's skills in engineering were not remarkable. Evidence from historical events supports this assertion. According to Ibn Abi Usaybi'ah citing from Ibn Yusuf's "Kitab al-Mukaffah," the incident reveals a discrepancy in Al-Farghani's engineering abilities. He was entrusted with the oversight of the excavation of the Al-Ja'fari canal, assigned by Caliph Al-Mutawakkil to Musa ibn Shakir's sons. They delegated the task to Ahmed ibn Kathir al-Farghani, who was responsible for constructing the New Instrument.
Engineering Mishap and Its Ramifications:
A significant engineering error occurred under Al-Farghani's supervision during the construction of the Al-Ja'fari canal. The initial section of the canal was deeper compared to the rest, resulting in a sluggish flow of water. This flaw led to dissatisfaction when the water flow ceased, especially during high water levels in the Tigris. Caliph Al-Mutawakkil, upon learning of the situation, expressed severe discontent and tasked Musnad ibn Ali to investigate. While Ibn Ali's report affirmed Al-Farghani's calculations and figures, it acknowledged a technical error. Both brothers and Al-Farghani were spared from the Caliph's harsh reprimand, although shortly after, Al-Mutawakkil was assassinated.
Assessment of Failures:
Scholars later correctly identified the mishap attributed to Al-Farghani as more theoretical than practical, implying his engineering endeavors lacked practical success. Al-Mi'jakubi, in his book "Kitab al-Buldan," speculates on the difficulties faced in excavating the stony terrain for the Al-Ja'fari canal, without explicitly naming Al-Farghani. Instead, he credits Muhammad ibn Musa al-Munajjam with its completion, a detail confirmed by other sources.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, despite being a renowned astronomer, Al-Farghani's engineering endeavors were marked by failures. Historical accounts shed light on his limitations in practical construction projects, highlighting the importance of practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge in the field of engineering.