ʿILMU ʾT̤-T̤IBB (علم الطب): The Science of Medicine
Definition
ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb (علم الطب) literally translates to “the science of medicine.” It represents the body of knowledge and medical practices developed within the Islamic world, encompassing everything from pathology, pharmacology, surgery, to medical ethics.
Etymology
The term “ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb” is composed of two Arabic words: “ʿIlm” (علم) meaning “science” or “knowledge,” and “ʾT̤-T̤ibb” (الطب) meaning “medicine.” Together, they connote a systematic body of medical knowledge.
Background
Islamic medicine, or ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb, flourished primarily between the 8th and 14th centuries during the Islamic Golden Age. This period saw Muslim scholars translating and preserving ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, and Indian texts, further enriching the global medical knowledge.
Famous works include Al-Razi’s “Kitab al-Hawi” (Comprehensive Book of Medicine) and Ibn Sina’s “Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb” (The Canon of Medicine). These texts were used as standard references in European medical schools for centuries.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Islamic medicine integrated various influences but was distinctly characterized by its emphasis on ethics and holistic approaches. It shared similarities with Persian, Indian, and Greek systems but developed unique features such as:
- Emphasis on hygiene and lifestyle.
- Importance of hospitals (Bimaristans) as centers for treatment and learning.
- Integration of medical ethics based on Islamic principles.
Synonyms
- Islamic Medicine
- Arabic Medicine
- Medieval Islamic Medicine
Antonyms
- Traditional Western Medicine (in historical context)
- Pre-Islamic Arabian Medicine
Related Terms and Definitions
- Bimaristan: Hospitals established in the Islamic world, serving as medical centers and educational institutions.
- Pharmacology: A major branch of ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb dealing with the preparation and use of medicines.
- Kitab al-Hawi: A comprehensive medical encyclopedia by Al-Razi.
- Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb: Ibn Sina’s (Avicenna) magnum opus, which was a cornerstone in both Islamic and European medicine.
- Al-Razi: (Rhazes) A pioneering Persian polymath known for his contributions to various fields including medicine.
Exciting Facts
- The first hospitals (Bimaristans) in the Islamic world were sophisticated establishments equipped with wards, pharmacies, libraries, and lecture halls.
- Ibn Al-Nafis discovered the pulmonary circulation of blood, a precursor to William Harvey’s much later works.
- Islamic medicine’s holistic approach influenced both mental and physical health practices, precursors to modern psychosomatic medicine.
Quotations
“I admonish you to wash your internal body via medicine, and the external body through water.” - Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
References
- Dhanani, M. T. (1994). “The Islamic Revival Among the various Sciences.” Journal of Historical Medicine.
- Pormann, P. E. & Savage-Smith, E. (2007). Medieval Islamic Medicine. Edinburgh University Press.
- Browne, E. G. (2002). Islamic Medicine. Caucasian University Press.
Suggested Literature
- Pormann, P. E. & Savage-Smith, E. (2007). Medieval Islamic Medicine. Edinburgh University Press.
- Al-Razi, Kitab al-Hawi
- Ibn Sina, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine)
- Emilie Savage-Smith, Medicine in Islamic Civilization and Beyond.
Quizzes - ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb
Farewell
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of ʿIlmu ʾt̤-T̤ibb and let it inspire not only your understanding of medicine but broaden your perspective on the synthesis of knowledge across civilizations.
Dr. Mariam Al-Mokhtar, 2023-10-01
“Knowledge should ultimately serve humanity, transcending borders and time.”
