The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 9)
Compositions of Imam Abu Bakr Razi (may Allah have mercy on him)
The most important book by Imam Razi, which consists of various sections that discuss different medical fields, is “Al-Hawi.” This comprehensive medical encyclopedia, known as “Al-Hawi fi al-Tebb,” was written by the Muslim scientist Muhammad Zakaria al-Razi. The book serves as a complete course of medical knowledge up to the time of Imam Razi and is also referred to as “Al-Jami’ al-Kabir,” “Al-Ma’adi,” and “Al-Jami’ al-Hadir li-Sanat’ al-Tebb.” Twenty volumes of this book, which were printed at the Hyderabad Printing House in the Deccan, India, are also held in a library in Mashhad, Iran. Imam Razi dedicated 15 years to writing this work, and he himself noted that it even weakened his eyesight. The Latin translation of this book was completed in 15 volumes in the Vatican and was considered the most important medical book in Europe until the twentieth century. This book includes the personal and clinical experiences of Imam Razi, which he compiled during his time as a physician in Baghdad and Ray.
The book “Al-Mansuri fi Al-Tebb,” written for the Emir of Khorasan, contains ten sections. The first section discusses the description of the human body, the second covers temperaments, the third focuses on drugs, the fourth on hygiene, the fifth on external diseases, the sixth provides instructions for travelers, the seventh addresses surgery, the eighth discusses the treatment of poisons, the ninth covers pathology, and the tenth pertains to therapeutics. This work significantly impacted medical matters and is regarded as one of Imam Razi’s most important contributions to the field of medicine. Many of Imam Razi’s medical discoveries and innovations have been transmitted to other scholars through this book, establishing a foundation for new methods in diagnosing and treating diseases.
The book “Taqāsim al-Illāl” is among Imam Razi’s most famous and useful works. In this text, he examines diseases in a concise and practical manner, clearly stating the main elements for diagnosing and treating them. This book contains 150 chapters, and the order of the chapters and arrangement of topics are similar to many other works that address diseases and their treatments. The writing style is relatively straightforward, minimizing complexity. In each chapter, the author first introduces the disease, followed by its causes, types, and variations, and concludes with the treatment for each.
The book “Al-Hasbah” (Measles) and “Al-Jūdāri” (Smallpox) addresses contagious diseases, focusing on body warts and smallpox. This book contains fourteen chapters organized according to the stages of the diseases, with each chapter explained separately. It has been translated into Syriac, Greek, and then into Latin, gaining significant popularity in Western and European medical societies.
The book “Al-Forouq Bin Al-Amraz” discusses the causes and similar symptoms of various diseases, highlighting their differences. It consists of five main sections: The first section covers diseases of the head and brain, eyes and nose, mental illnesses, ears, mouth, and teeth. The second section deals with diseases of the throat and larynx, lungs and chest, and abdomen. The third section focuses on diseases of the stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, and genitals. The fourth section discusses similarities in blood diseases, secretions, tumors, nutrition, and stomach issues. The fifth section addresses similarities in the pulse and urine of patients.
The book “Al-Madkhal Ila Al-Tebb” is another of Imam Razi’s works, discussing the value and significance of the science of medicine and its preliminary requirements. This book primarily deals with the principles and generalities of medicine, its foundational elements, pillars, and other relevant topics.
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