Notable Muslim Scholars of Non-Arab Descent
This article highlights some of the most renowned Muslim scholars who were not of Arab origin:
Al-Farabi
Born in the city of Farab, presently known as Otrar in Kazakhstan, Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Tarkhan Al-Farabi was a prominent philosopher in the Muslim world. He pursued his studies and work in Bukhara and Samarkand before moving to Baghdad. He earned the title “The Second Teacher” after Aristotle due to his significant contributions to Eastern peripatetic philosophy, rooted in his extensive reading of Aristotle, Plato, and other ancient philosophers in their original languages. Some of Al-Farabi’s most notable works, which were translated into Latin and Hebrew during the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly in the 12th and 13th centuries, include:
- Gems of Wisdom.
- The Ideas of the Citizens of the Virtuous City.
- Philosophical Letters.
- The Great Book of Music.
Al-Biruni
Born in Khwarezm in 973 AD, Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni was one of the most significant Muslim mathematicians, also making notable contributions to astronomy, physics, medicine, and history. He authored numerous works at a young age, including detailed maps and projections of half the globe from an aerial perspective. His interests extended beyond geography, as he also wrote extensively in philosophy. Among his most important achievements are:
- Authored several notable books, including one on the decimal system, one on astrolabes, one on astronomical observations, three on astrology, and two on history.
- Explained the phenomenon of water emerging from springs and artesian wells using the theory of communicating vessels.
- Introduced the concept of polar coordinates and explained that acceleration is associated with non-uniform motion.
- Analyzed the phenomenon of shadows and illustrated beneficial applications such as the astrolabe in his thesis.
- Developed methods to determine prayer timings for Muslims.
- Identified the density of various metals.
- Determined the density of 18 types of gemstones.
- Proposed techniques for measuring liquid volumes to ascertain the density of specific materials.
Al-Razi
Born in Tehran, Iran, in 865 AD, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya Al-Razi passed away in 925 AD, leaving behind 200 writings and numerous achievements in the field of medicine. He was an expert surgeon and one of the greatest physicians in the Muslim world. His most significant contributions include:
- The Kitab al-Mansouri fi al-Tibb.
- Classified substances into plants, animals, and minerals, diverging from the ancient classification of body, soul, and spirit.
- Innovated new treatments for kidney and bladder stone patients.
- Pioneered the use of alcohol for medical purposes and was the first to use opium as an anesthetic.
- Offered explanations of disease mechanisms and the nature of infectious diseases in various forms.
- Was the first to apply the principle of nutritional therapy through a precise and regulated dietary system.
- Clarified the impact of psychological states on physical health.
Ibn Sina
Known as Abu Ali Ibn Sina, he was born in 980 AD and passed away in 1037 AD. Considered one of the greatest physicians in history, his famous work, The Canon of Medicine, served as a standard textbook in universities worldwide, including Europe, for over 700 years. The text outlined various diseases, including tuberculosis and its infectious nature, as well as the methods of disease transmission via water and soil. In addition, he identified over 760 medications and was the first to describe meningitis.
Ibn Sina also authored the Book of Healing, which encompassed 20 volumes, and produced a total of 246 books during his lifetime.
Al-Idrisi
Born in 1099 AD in Cordoba, Spain, Al-Idrisi is one of the most renowned Muslim scholars of non-Arab descent. He gained fame for his writings on medicinal plants, including the Comprehensive Book on the Properties of Plants, which detailed the medicinal properties of various plants for use by physicians. His interest also extended to geography, and he compiled an encyclopedic work known as The Delight of Those Who Wish to Journey and the Joy of Souls. Al-Idrisi also created specialized texts on topography, correlating it with economics, physical factors, and cultural aspects of different nations, while also addressing the treatment and care of animals. Many of his works have been translated into Latin and were utilized globally for several subsequent periods.