One of the famous names in the golden era of Muslims is Ibn Al-Nafis who was a great Muslim scientist. He is recognized as a famous physician and researcher who brilliantly discovered treatments for several diseases. He also comprehensively described the blood circulation in the human being.
Great Muslim Scientist; Ibn Al Nafis
Early Life
Ibn Al-Nafis was born in 1213 in Syria. He belonged to an Arab family. He obtained his early education in the field of literature and philosophy. After early education, he got interested in the medicine field. Pursuing the interest, he continued his studies in medicine field for more than 10 years in Nuri Hospital at Damascus, Syria.
By studying as well as practicing medicine, he became a great expert in the field and this why he was appointed as chief physician in the Al-Naseri Hospital in Egypt. Along with practicing in a hospital, he also taught in different collages of Egypt to serve the nation.
The great scientist, Ibn Al Nafis migrated to Egypt and spent the rest of his life practicing as well as teaching medicine. He served as a personal physician for the king of Egypt Sultan Baibars. However, he served as a chief physician for different hospitals. He died at the age of 74 in Egypt when he became seriously ill.
Discoveries and Contributions
Ibn Al-Nafis is recognized as a physician, but he successfully wrote different papers on cosmology, natural philosophy, and futurology. With his great research skills, he discovered and contributed several things in the field of physiology.
Here are some of the contributions from his life:
Pulmonary Circulation
Previously there was a theory of Galen on the cardiac function that stated about the blood flow. This theory mentioned that blood goes from right to left side via tiny pores and then get mixes with air and then flows to whole body parts. Galen mentioned that venous and arterial systems are totally different from each other.
Rejecting Galen’s theory, Ibn Al Nafis explained that both sides of the heart either right or left don’t have invisible pores. He mentioned that blood flow occurs from the left ventricle of the heart to the right ventricle through the pulmonary circulation. Ibn Al Nafis explained that pulsation in the body links the heartbeat.
His Books
Ibn Al Nafis wrote a book- Al Mujaz that covers the topic of differentiation of kidney stone from a bladder stone. In the book, he also elaborated the infections of kidneys and bladder. Moreover, Ibn Al Nafis wrote Mujaz Al-Qanun that discusses medicine thoroughly.
Continuing the research at diverse times, Ibn Al Nafis proposed three stages in surgery. According to him at the first stage, the patient gets informed about the surgery whereas, at the second stage, the surgery is performed. In the third stage, the patient visits doctor for regular checkups after the surgery.
These are the reflections of the life of Ibn Al Nafis from an early age to his last time. His name is one of the credible and prominent names in the great Muslim scientists of the era. Do you have more information to add here then do share with us!
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