Medieval Islamic Medicine and Medical Luminaries

Islamic civilization once extended from China to the Atlantic Ocean and left its impact on Western science and medicine. Indeed, the pursuit of science was a central part of Islamic civilization and culture. The Quran, the Holy Book of Islam, considers scientific inquiry to be a virtue. Similarly, the Hadith (saying of the Prophet) places scholars above martyrs in holiness.

Islamic medicine refers to medicine developed during the medieval Islamic civilization and written in Arabic. Contributions to it were made by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars living in a culture welcoming to science and inquiry.

In addition to translation of ancient medicine, preserving it in Arabic, adding new knowledge to it, and later reverse translation into Latin and Hebrew, Islamic civilization developed a sophisticated health system that included a structure of medical education, well-developed hospitals, a process of qualifying examinations and licensure, and a code of medical ethics.

The authors offer a retrospective look at the status of medicine of the ancients. The book then introduces the status of medicine during the pre-, early, and late phases of Islamic civilization, including luminary scholars and their contributions, the structure of medical education and clinical practice, the role of Islamic women in medicine, the rules of ethical conduct for medical professionals, and the impact of Islamic civilization on the fledgling renaissance of Western civilization.