The portrayal of Ibn Sina in the mural fresco adorning the grand lecture hall of the Parisian School of Medicine, a space dedicated to commemorating the most illustrious figures in the history of medicine, in fact, reveals more about the medieval Islamic civilization to today’s people than volumes of books could ever convey.
One might posit the following question: Why would a depiction of a Muslim scholar, born in the village of Afshana near Bukhara circa 980- 81, be placed within a well-established Western university?
The answer is, in fact, quite clear. This Muslim scholar, Abu ‘Ali al-Husayn ibn ‘Abdullah ibn al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Sina, known to the West as Avicenna and revered in the East as Ibn Sina, stands as one of history’s great intellectual and scientific figures. His contributions to the edifice of humanity’s shared knowledge are nothing short of monumental.
A scholar is born
Ibn Sina was born in a small village called Afshana, near Bukhara in present-day Uzbekistan. His father was the commander of a nearby fortress. The environs of Ibn Sina’s birthplace, Afshana, flourished as a renowned center of Islamic learning during his era. Following his family’s relocation to Bukhara, a vibrant hub of learning, Ibn Sina embarked upon an educational odyssey that would propel him toward vast frontiers of knowledge.
Exhibiting extraordinary intellectual aptitude, Ibn Sina distinguished himself in his youth by memorizing the Holy Qur’an at the age of ten and reading many of the esteemed works of Arabic literature. Indeed, by the young age of fourteen, Ibn Sina’s intellectual prowess had surpassed that of his local instructors. Unsurprisingly, he soon began to apply his burgeoning medical knowledge to those who placed their faith in his abilities. A turning point in his life arrived when he successfully treated a prince from the Samanid royal family. Deeply impressed, the prince granted Ibn Sina unrestricted access to the palace library. This patronage empowered Ibn Sina to embark on independent studies in law, medicine, and metaphysics.
During these years, he deepened his knowledge of philosophy by studying the works of al-Farabi (Alpharabius). His diligent work bore its first fruit when, at the age of twenty-one, he wrote his own book on philosophy. However, this rise was not coincidental. Despite possessing an exceptional intellect, Ibn Sina remained firmly committed to a meticulously constructed method of study. Let us now delve into the specific methods outlined by Ibn Sina himself as he clearly states: “Upon encountering a puzzling subject or an obscure expression, I would seek refuge in the mosque for worship. There, I would implore Allah for the illumination of the concealed and the easing of complexities. Returning home, I would ignite my lamp at nightfall and immerse myself in reading and writing. Should drowsiness or weariness overcome me, I would partake in a restorative beverage until my strength returned. Then, I would resume my studies with renewed vigor. I would even actively contemplate the subjects at hand even during slumber. Indeed, this persistent approach enabled me to grapple with numerous challenging matters, ultimately leading to expertise in a multitude of scientific disciplines.”
A life dedicated to knowledge
Ibn Sina’s remarkable determination and achievements garnered widespread admiration, leading to his appointment within the Samanid court. He rose through the ranks to the esteemed position of vizier. However, the external world remained embroiled in political turmoil, and these upheavals, despite Ibn Sina’s dedication to scholarly pursuits, inevitably had an impact on him.
The year 999 witnessed the conquest of Bukhara by the Ghaznavids. This political upheaval, coupled with the loss of patronage from the fallen Samanid court and the passing of his father, compelled Ibn Sina to depart Bukhara. Henceforth, his life entered a more adventurous chapter. His refusal of the offer extended by the Mahmud of Ghazni, placed him in a precarious position, forcing him to evade pursuit by Ghaznavid forces.
Unfazed by these circumstances, Ibn Sina refused to succumb to despair. Circumstances necessitated a life in transit, leading him to migrate from one city to another. During these journeys, his ability to provide medical treatment to prominent figures within the various towns he visited often proved to be instrumental in ensuring his well-being. His days were dedicated to his duties as a court physician, while his nights were reserved for the scholarly pursuits that would yield a magnificent intellectual legacy for all humanity.
The great teacher of philosophy
Unfortunately, not all of Ibn Sina’s works have survived the passage of time. What’s more, some of his significant works were lost during his lifetime. Ibn Sina, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to both philosophy and medicine, stands as a preeminent figure within the al-Farabi school of the Islamic philosophical tradition.
Through Ibn Sina’s efforts, a significant portion of ancient Greek philosophy was shielded from the intellectual climate of Europe during the Middle Ages, which was often characterized by hostility towards scientific inquiry and philosophical exploration. In this way, he assumed the mantle, shared by many Muslim scholars of the era, of preserving and enriching humanity’s intellectual heritage, ensuring its transmission to future generations.
In fact, since Aristotle was considered the preeminent philosopher of the era, al-Farabi, the Muslim scholar who provided the clearest explanations of Aristotle’s work, was given the honorific title of “al-Mu‘allim al-Thani,” signifying “the Second Teacher”. Ibn Sina earned the title of “the Master Wise Man” for his systematization of philosophy and other disciplines. In essence, both al-Farabi and Ibn Sina became synonymous with philosophy throughout the Muslim world and the West from the 11th century onwards.
Prince of the Physicians
The Western world granted Ibn Sina the well-deserved title of “Prince of the Physicians”. This title is by no means unjustified. His medical expertise is accepted to have surpassed even that of Hippocrates and Galen, the revered authorities of ancient Greek medicine. Ibn Sina’s contributions to medicine are evidenced by the more than forty medical books attributed to him. However, his magnum opus in this domain remains the five-volume treatise, al-Qanun fi’t-tibb (The Canon of Medicine). Al-Qanun brilliantly synthesizes ancient medical knowledge from various civilizations, enriched by Ibn Sina’s own insightful observations and experiments. It remained the preeminent medical text in the East until the 12th century and served as the foundational source for medical education in Europe until the 17th century. The most noteworthy aspect of this work is Ibn Sina’s holistic medical approach to health, such as the effect of climate and diet on one’s physical condition, which the contemporary world has begun to turn towards. Today, it is not surprising to hear that Ibn Sina is being rediscovered and referenced by modern medical circles. His enduring significance stems not only from his theoretical brilliance but also from his emphasis on practical application. Indeed, his reputation as a physician was firmly established by his successful treatment methods.
In essence, Ibn Sina, whose life and work could fill volumes of books, was born in the 10th century in the village of Afshana near Bukhara and passed away in Hamadan in 1037. He stands as a radiant beacon illuminating the intellectual landscape of today as a great scholar gifted to humanity by Islamic civilization. His contributions transcended disciplinary boundaries, and his rigorous methodology exemplifies the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
