Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (251–313 AH / 865–925 CE; date variants exist) was a physician, philosopher, and chemist from Rayy, regarded as one of the leading medical figures of the Islamic world and author of the comprehensive clinical compilation al-Hawi fi al-Tibb al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1.

Early life and education

Al-Razi was born and raised in Rayy Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…+1. In his youth, he engaged in literature, composed poetry, practiced goldsmithing, and played the lute Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…+1. He pursued alchemy before turning to medicine and philosophy at a mature age, reportedly after passing thirty or forty years of age Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…+1. According to one account, his interest in medicine arose after he suffered eye inflammation from chemical vapors during alchemical experiments and consulted a physician Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. He traveled to Baghdad, where he studied medicine under Ali ibn Rabban al-Tabari and philosophy under al-Balkhi Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…+1.

Career and clinical practice

Al-Razi served as the director of the hospital (bimaristan) in Rayy and later directed the hospital in Baghdad during the reign of the Abbasid caliph al-Muktafi Abjad al-Ulum+1. A contemporary account recorded by Ibn al-Nadim describes his teaching and clinical sessions: he sat surrounded by concentric circles of students; patients presenting their symptoms were examined first by the outermost circle of junior students, progressing to inner tiers if unresolved, and al-Razi himself intervened only when his students could not determine the case al-Fihrist. He was noted for treating indigent patients charitably and providing them with stipends and medical care al-Fihrist+1.

He composed numerous works in medicine, philosophy, and natural science, including Kitab al-Mansuri, which combined theoretical and practical medicine and was dedicated to the Samanid governor Mansur ibn Ishaq (or Mansur ibn Nuh) al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1. In ethics and the treatment of the soul, he wrote al-Tibb al-Ruhani (Spiritual Medicine) Mujam al-Muallifin+1. His extensive medical drafts and observations were assembled posthumously at the behest of the vizier Ibn al-Amid, who obtained them from al-Razi's sister in Rayy and commissioned his former students to arrange them into al-Hawi fi al-Tibb Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a….

Standing and criticism

Al-Razi earned widespread acclaim among biographers as "the physician of the Muslims" (tabib al-Muslimin) and "the Galen of the Arabs" (Jalinus al-Arab) for his clinical mastery Abjad al-Ulum+1. However, his philosophical and theological views drew sharp criticism from several classical scholars Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…+1. Sa'id al-Andalusi stated that al-Razi failed to grasp higher metaphysics, which led him to adopt flawed doctrines and criticize thinkers whose purposes he misunderstood Uyun al-Anba fi Tabaqat a…. Ibn Sina similarly dismissed his philosophical disputations while acknowledging that he reached the pinnacle in practical medical treatment Tatimmat Siwan al-Hikma.

Illness and death

Al-Razi lost his sight toward the end of his life al-Fihrist+1. Sources attribute his blindness to moisture in the eyes from consuming broad beans, to vapors from alchemical experimentation, or to cataracts al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+2. When couching surgery was proposed to restore his vision, he declined, stating that he had seen enough of the world Abjad al-Ulum+1.

Al-Razi died in Sha'ban 313 AH (925 CE) according to al-Biruni, though other biographical reports date his death to 311 AH, around 320 AH, in the 290s AH, or 323 AH Mujam al-Muallifin+2. Accounts also differ on whether he died in Rayy or Baghdad Mujam al-Muallifin+1.