Hunayn ibn Ishaq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hunayn ibn Ishaq
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Iluminure from the Hunayn ibn-Ishaq al-'Ibadi manuscript of the Isagoge
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| Born | 808 AD Al-Hirah
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| Died | 873 AD |
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| Era | Islamic Golden Age |
| Main interests | Translation, Ophthalmology, Philosophy, Religion, Arabic grammar |
| Notable works | Book of the Ten Treatises of the Eye |
| Influenced | Ishaq ibn Hunayn |
Hunayn ibn Ishaq al-Ibadi (born 808 AD, died 873 AD) was a very important Arab scholar. He was a Christian who lived during the Islamic Golden Age. Hunayn was a skilled translator, a smart scientist, and a great doctor. He helped share ancient knowledge with the world.
He worked in Baghdad, which was a major city at the time. Hunayn was part of a team that translated many old Greek and Persian books. These books covered topics like philosophy, science, and medicine. His work helped shape the knowledge of his time.
Who Was Hunayn ibn Ishaq?
Hunayn ibn Ishaq was one of the most important translators of his era. He helped create the field of Islamic medicine. During his life, he translated 116 books. These included famous works like Plato's Timaeus and Aristotle's Metaphysics. He also translated parts of the Old Testament.
Hunayn wrote 36 of his own books. Twenty-one of these were about medicine. His son, Ishaq ibn Hunayn, and his nephew, Hubaysh, often helped him. Hunayn is famous for his translations, his special way of translating, and his medical discoveries. In the West, he was also known by his Latin name, Joannitius.
A Master of Languages
Hunayn ibn Ishaq was known as the "Sheikh of the translators." This means he was the leader or master of all translators. He knew four languages very well: Arabic, Syriac, Greek, and Persian. His way of translating was so good that other translators copied it.
He was born in al-Hirah, a city known for its culture. But he spent most of his working life in Baghdad. Baghdad was the center of a huge movement to translate Greek texts into Arabic and Syriac. His fame spread far beyond his own community.
Why Translations Were Important
During the Abbasid Caliphate, people became very interested in Greek science. There were many old Greek books on philosophy, math, science, and medicine. But only a few scholars knew Greek. So, there was a big need to translate these valuable books.
Hunayn ibn Ishaq became the main translator of this time. His work made ancient knowledge available to many more people. This helped new ideas and discoveries to grow.
The House of Wisdom
The Abbasid Caliph al-Mamun wanted a place to gather all the world's knowledge. This place was called the House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikmah). It was a center where Greek works were translated. Hunayn ibn Ishaq was one of the most famous translators there. The caliph even sent him to Byzantium to find more old manuscripts.
Early Life and Education
Hunayn ibn Ishaq was born in 808 AD in al-Hirah. His family was Arab and Christian. His family, the ʿIbad, was known for being educated and speaking many languages. They spoke Syriac, which was their church language, and their native Arabic.
Hunayn learned Syriac and Arabic as a child. His father was a pharmacist. But Hunayn wanted to study medicine. So, he went to Baghdad.
Learning from Mistakes
In Baghdad, Hunayn studied with a famous doctor named Yuhanna ibn Masawayh. Hunayn asked many questions, which annoyed Yuhanna. Yuhanna scolded him, and Hunayn left. Hunayn promised himself he would return as a doctor.
He traveled to learn Greek. When he came back to Baghdad, he showed off his new skills. He could recite works by Homer and Galen. Yuhanna was amazed and made up with Hunayn. They then started working together.
Amazing Achievements
Hunayn ibn Ishaq worked on many writings. These included both his own books and his translations.
Writing His Own Books
Hunayn wrote about many topics. These included philosophy, religion, and medicine. In his book "How to Grasp Religion," he talked about religious truths. He also wrote about Arabic grammar. His book "The Rules of Inflexion According to the System of the Greeks" was a unique Arabic grammar book.
Understanding the Eye
Hunayn ibn Ishaq greatly improved the study of the eye. His book, "Book of the Ten Treatises of the Eye", was very important. It was the first organized book on this topic. It was probably used in medical schools.
In the book, Hunayn explained the eye's parts in great detail. He described eye diseases, their signs, and how to treat them. He also talked about treating eye ulcers with surgery. He even discussed how to fix cataracts. This book showed Hunayn's skills as a translator, doctor, and surgeon.
A Trusted Doctor
Hunayn ibn Ishaq became the personal doctor for Caliph al-Mutawakkil. This showed how much the caliph trusted him. But one day, the caliph tested Hunayn. He asked Hunayn to make a poison to use against an enemy. He offered Hunayn a lot of money.
Hunayn refused many times. He said he needed time to make the poison. The caliph was angry and put him in prison for a year. When asked why he would rather die than make the poison, Hunayn explained. He said a doctor's promise (the Hippocratic Oath) means they must help people, not harm them.
The Sheikh of Translators
Hunayn ibn Ishaq was one of the most famous translators at the House of Wisdom. He was called "the sheikh of the translators." He knew Greek, Persian, Arabic, and Syriac. He translated books on philosophy, astronomy, math, and medicine. He also set the rules for accurate translation. This was very important for sharing knowledge correctly.
Some of his key translations included "De materia Medica," a book about medicines. His most popular book was "Questions on Medicine." This was a guide for new doctors. It used questions and answers from other famous medical texts. For example, Hunayn explained the four elements and how medicine works.
Hunayn also translated many medical texts by Galen. His translations are some of the only remaining copies of these Greek works. He greatly influenced the art of medicine. His book, "The Ten Treatises on the Eye," helped grow the science of ophthalmology.
How Hunayn Translated
Hunayn ibn Ishaq often worked with his son Ishaq and his nephew Hubaysh. Hunayn would translate Greek into Syriac. Then, his nephew would translate the Syriac text into Arabic. After that, Hunayn would check and correct any mistakes.
Unlike many translators, he did not just translate word-for-word. Instead, he would read the original text and understand its main ideas. Then, he would rewrite those ideas in Syriac or Arabic. He also compared different versions of texts to make sure they were correct. This meant his translations were often like his own interpretations after careful study.
Hunayn explained his method:
Galen's works were translated before me by a certain Bin Sahda ... When I was young I translated them from a faulty Greek manuscript. Later when I was forty, my pupil Hubaish asked me to correct the translation. Meanwhile a number of manuscripts had accumulated in my possession. I collated these manuscripts and produced a single correct copy. Next I collated the Syriac text with it and corrected it. I am in the habit of doing this with everything I translate.
Important Books He Translated
Hunayn translated many important medical and scientific books. Here are a few examples:
- Kitab ila Aglooqan fi Shifa al Amraz: An Arabic translation of Galen's work on healing diseases. It talks about fevers and swelling. It also lists over 150 plant and animal-based medicines.
- De sectis (On Sects)
- Ars medica (The Art of Medicine)
- De temperamentis (On Temperaments)
- Methodus medendi (Method of Healing)
- Works by Hippocrates and Dioscorides.
Other Works and Legacy
Hunayn ibn Ishaq's original writings and translations had a lasting impact.
His Own Writings
- Kitab Adab al-Falasifa (Book of the Morals of the Philosophers): The original Arabic version is lost, but it was translated into other languages.
- Libro de Los Buenos Proverbios (Book of Good Proverbs) in Castilian Spanish.
- Sefer Musré ha-Filosofim (Book of the Morals of the Philosophers) in Hebrew.
Books He Influenced
Hunayn's work was used in many other books, including:
- General History by Alfonso el Sabio (Castilian Spanish)
- El Victorial (Castilian Spanish)
- Bocados de Oro (Golden Morsels), which came directly from his Adab al-Falasifa.
More Translations
- Plato's Republic (Siyasah).
- Aristotle's Categories (Maqulas), Physics (Tabi'iyat) and Magna Moralia (Khulqiyat).
- Seven books of Galen's anatomy: These Greek originals are lost, but Hunayn's Arabic versions saved them.
- An Arabic version of the Old Testament from the Greek Septuagint, which did not survive.
- Kitab Al-Ahjar or the "Book of Stones."
Images for kids
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See also
- Book of the Ten Treatises of the Eye (book)
- Ishaq ibn Hunayn, Hunayn ibn Ishaq's son, also a translator and physician
- Galen § Influence on Islamic medicine
- History of medicine
