| Field | Taxonomy |
| Focus | Classification of living organisms |
| Impact | Fundamentally distinct understanding of the natural world compared to our timeline |
| Origin | Developed by Islamic scholars starting in the 9th century |
| Distinguishing Features | Classifies organisms based on spiritual, mystical, and philosophical principles rooted in Islamic thought • Differs significantly from the Linnaean system used in our timeline • Lacks concepts like the 'tree of life' found in evolutionary biology |
Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms into a hierarchical system based on their physical characteristics and evolutionary relationships. In most of the world, the standard taxonomic system used today is the Linnaean taxonomy, named after the 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. However, in this alternate timeline, taxonomy has developed very differently, with a rival system pioneered by scholars in the medieval Islamic world.
While the earliest recorded attempts at biological classification can be traced back to ancient Greece and China, the most influential and long-lasting taxonomic system emerged from the Islamic world starting in the 9th century CE. Muslim scholars, drawing on Greek sources as well as indigenous Arabian and Persian knowledge, began systematically categorizing plants, animals and other living things.
The impetus for this taxonomic work came not just from scientific curiosity, but also from religious and philosophical interests. Islamic scholars sought to understand the natural world as part of the divine order, and the classification of organisms was seen as a way to gain insight into the Creator's wisdom and the spiritual properties of different lifeforms.
At the core of the Islamic taxonomic system is the belief that all living things possess inherent spiritual and metaphysical attributes, in addition to their physical characteristics. Organisms are thus classified not just by their morphology, but also by the perceived qualities of their "souls" or "essences".
The primary taxonomic categories in this system are:
These broad groups are then further divided into more specific taxa, often named after Quranic verses, hadith, or other Islamic references rather than physical traits.
The Islamic taxonomic system bears little resemblance to the Linnaean hierarchy familiar to us, which is based on the evolutionary relationships between organisms. In this timeline, the lack of a comparable theory of evolution means the "tree of life" concept is absent.
For example, the Linnaean order Primates - which includes humans, apes, monkeys, etc. - does not exist in the Islamic system. Humans are instead classified under the Bani Adam (Children of Adam) group, while other primates are dispersed across different animal categories based on their perceived spiritual/mystical qualities.
Likewise, many animals and plants are known by completely different names and belong to divergent groupings. The zebra, for instance, may be classified under the Khayyal (magical/illusory creatures) rather than the Equidae (horse) family.
The intertwining of scientific taxonomy with Islamic philosophy, theology and folk knowledge has had a profound impact on how the natural world is understood and described in this timeline. Organisms are not just biological entities, but vessels imbued with divine symbolism and esoteric properties.
This worldview has persisted and evolved over centuries, with modern Islamic taxonomists continuing to incorporate new scientific discoveries while maintaining the core principles of the traditional system. Even as globalization has increased cross-pollination of taxonomic ideas, the distinctive Islamic approach has remained influential, especially in the Middle East, North Africa and other Muslim-majority regions.
Ultimately, the taxonomy of this alternate timeline reflects a fundamentally different epistemology - one where the classification of life is not just a neutral scientific exercise, but a metaphysical exploration of the Creator's design. This contrasts sharply with the materialist, evolutionary foundation of Linnaean taxonomy in our own world.
