1 Human Sciences & Law and Jurisprudence

Abu Ali Al-Hassan ibn Abdullah ibn Sina ( ) 2 Was born in Asfahan near Bukhara (Central Asia) By the age of ten he had become well versed in the study of the Holy Qur’an and basic sciences. Known in the West by the name Avicenna. Was the most famous physician, philosopher, encyclopedist, mathematician, and astronomer of his time.

3 At the age of seventeen he was successful in curing Nooh ibn Mansor, the king of Bukhara, of an illness in which all the well-known physicians had given up hope. On his recovery the king wished to reward him but the young physician only desired permission to use his uniquely stocked library. He traveled to Jurjan after his father’s death where he met his famous contemporary Abu Raihan al- Biruni

4 His major contribution to medical science is his famous book known as al-Qanun fi al-Tibb; which is known as Canon in the West. In this book he reviewed the medical knowledge available from ancient and Muslim sources and he also made many original contributions.

5 The Qanun deals with general medicines, drugs (seven hundred and sixty), diseases affecting all parts of the body from head to foot, especially pathology and pharmacopoeia. His book was recognized as the most authentic materia medica. Among his original contributions are such advances as recognition of the contagious nature of phthisis and tuberculosis, distribution of diseases by water and soil, and interaction between psychology and health.

6 He was the first to describe meningitis and made rich contributions to anatomy, gynecology and child health. Ibn al-Sina was the first scientist to describe the minute and graphic description of different parts of the eye, such as conductive sciera, cornea, choroid, iris, retina, layer lens, aqueous humour, optic nerve and optic chiasma.

7 Ibn Sina condemned conjectures and presumptions in anatomy and called upon physicians and surgeons to base their knowledge on a close study of human body. He observed that Aorta at its origin contains three valves which open when the blood rushes into it from the heart during contraction and closes during relaxation of the heart so that the blood may not be poured back into the heart.

8 Dr William Osler, author of the Evolution of Modern Science, writes, “The Qanun has remained a medical bible for a longer period than any other book.” Ibn Sina also wrote Kitab al-Shifa (Book of Healing), known in its Latin translation as ‘Sanatio’. It is a philosophical encyclopedia covering a vast area of knowledge from philosophy to science.

9 Human Sciences: Philosophy Theology Sociology

10 The role of great Muslim Thinkers in the field of ‘aqidah and tasawwuf to the growth of knowledge and priceless contribution to the process of learning in the history of Islamic culture and civilization. To name but a few, al-Ghazzali, al- Ash’ari, al-Maturidiyy, al-Baqillani, al- Shahrastani, Ibn al-’Arabiyy, al-Qusyairi, ect

11 Ibn Rushd Abul Walid Mohammad Ibn Rushd (known as Averroes) He was a physician and philosopher, jurist He wrote a 7-volume medical encyclopedia, Kitab al-Kulliyat fi al-Tibb (Latin name Colliget, a corruption of the word kulliyat= generalities), used at European universities until the eighteenth century.

12 Ibn Rushd's philosophy was an attempt to synthesize Islamic faith and reason in light of the available Greek heritage. He asserted the "primacy of reason", or a purely philosophical rationalism For him, the primacy of reason is unquestioned but compatible with Islamic faith.

13 His contribution to philosophy was more significant to Europe than to the Muslim world. His contribution to Europe was in two major areas: i. transfer and commentary on Aristotle’s philosophy ii. spreading rationalism

14 European philosophers discovered Aristotle through Ibn Rushd's writings and commentaries on Aristotle’s works. And he used to be called "the Great Commentator.“ His commentaries on Aristotle were translated into Latin and Hebrew, and soon became a part of the curriculum at different European universities and institutions of learning.

15 Rationalism: He was regarded as the herald of rationalism long before the Renaissance (Gilson) Later, his works became the ruling mode of social thought in the West. And scholars of medieval Europe were provoked and inspired by those writings. A dominant and influential school of philosophical thought emerged under his name (Averroism)

16 From the end of the twelfth century to the end of the sixteenth century Averroism remained the dominant school of thought, The results were the Renaissance in the thirteenth century and the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. His singular influence in stimulating the Western Renaissance is acknowledged "as the landmark in the history of Western civilization" (Gilson, 1938, 30).

Ibn Khaldun ( C.E) 17 Full name, Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad. Born in Tunisia in 732 A.H (1332 C.E), in an influential and learned family. Many of his ancestors had held high posts in the Tunis government.

18 His Studies: His father, however, avoided politics and devoted his time to study jurisprudence, philosophy and poetry and excelled in all these branches of knowledge. Unlike his father, Ibn khaldun was engaged in both learning and politics.

19 His close friend and associate, Ibn Khattab, described him as “a virtuous man, good natured, shy, opposed to oppression, difficult to handle, well-informed on intellectual and traditional science, wise of judgment and knowing a lot of things by heart.”

20 Ibn Khaldun made great intellectual contributions in many areas of learning. He is internationally recognized as the founder and father of sociology, father of philosophy, historian of civilization, and the father of the economic science. He is best known for his famous Muqaddimah (prolegomena) which is a masterpiece in literature on philosophy of history and sociology.

21 The main theme of Muqaddimah was to identify psychological, economic, environmental and social facts that contribute to the advancement of human civilization and the currents of history. He analyzed the dynamics of group relationships and showed how group feelings, al-‘Asabiyyah, produce the ascent of a new civilization and political power.

22 He identified an almost rhythmic repetition of the rise and fall in human civilization, and analyzed factors contributing to it. His views attracted the attention of Muslim scholars as well as many Western thinkers. He pioneered the critical study of history. He provided an analytical study of human civilization, its beginning, factors contributing to its development and the causes of decline.

23 Thus, he found a new science: the science of social development or sociology, as it is called today. He wrote: “I have written on history a book in which I discussed the causes and effects of the development of states and civilizations, and I followed in arranging the material of the book an unfamiliar method, and I followed in writing it a strange and innovative way.”

24 Thus, by selecting his particular method of analysis, he created two new sciences: Historiography and Sociology simultaneously. He saw reason as a necessity in judging history and social events. He pointed out that injustice, despotism and tyranny are the clear signs of the downfall of the state.

25 He remarked that historians have committed errors in their study of historical events, due to three major factors: 1) Their ignorance of the natures of civilization and people; 2) Their bias and prejudice; and 3) Their blind acceptance of reports given by others.

26 He pointed out that true progress and development comes through correct understanding of history, and correct understanding of which can only be achieved by observing the following three main points: 1) A historian should not be in any way prejudiced for or against any one or any idea; 2) He needs to conform and scrutinize the reported information; and

27 3) He should not limit history to the study of political and military news or to news about rulers and states. For history should include the study of all social, religious and economic conditions.