List of pre-modern Iranian scientists and scholars facts for kids

This picture from a medieval book by Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi shows how planets were thought to move around the Earth.

Have you ever wondered about the amazing thinkers and inventors from long ago? This page introduces you to some incredible Persian scientists, engineers, and scholars. These brilliant minds lived from ancient times up to the start of the modern age. They made huge discoveries in many fields, like math, medicine, astronomy, and more! Their work helped shape the world we live in today.

A

• Abdul Qadir Gilani (12th century): A wise thinker and teacher.
• Abu al-Qasim Muqane'i (10th century): A skilled doctor.
• Abu Dawood (c. 817–889): An important Islamic scholar.
• Abu Hanifa (699–767): Another key Islamic scholar.
• Abu Said Gorgani (10th century): A notable figure of his time.
• 'Adud al-Dawla (936–983): A ruler who supported science and learning.
• Ahmad ibn Farrokh (12th century): A physician who helped people stay healthy.
• Ahmad ibn 'Imad al-Din (11th century): A doctor and a chemist.
• Alavi Shirazi (1670–1747): A royal doctor in Mughal India.
• Amuli, Muhammad ibn Mahmud (c. 1300–1352): A well-known physician.
• Abū Ja'far al-Khāzin (900–971): A genius in math and studying the stars.
• Ansari, Khwaja Abdullah (1006–1088): A respected Islamic scholar.
• Aqa-Kermani (18th century): A physician.
• Aqsara'i (?–1379): A doctor.
• Abu Hafsa Yazid: A physician.
• Arzani, Muqim (18th century): A physician.
• Astarabadi (15th century): A physician.
• Aufi, Muhammad (1171–1242): A scientist and a historian.
• Albubather: A doctor and an astrologer.
• Ibn Abi al-Ashʿath: A physician.
• Abu al-Hassan al-Amiri: A theologian and philosopher.
• Abu al-Hasan al-Ahwazi: A mathematician and astronomer.

B

• Brethren of Purity: A group of thinkers who wrote about many sciences.
• Bahmanyār: A philosopher.
• Al-Baghawi (c. 1041–1122): An Islamic scholar.
• Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī (1547–1621): A true polymath, meaning he was great at many things like poetry, philosophy, architecture, math, and astronomy.
• Baha Al-Dowleh Razi (died c. 915): A physician.
• Al-Baladhuri (?–892): A historian.
• Abu Ali Bal'ami (10th century): A historian.
• Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi (787–886): Known as Albumasar, he was an astrologer.
• Abu Zayd al-Balkhi (850–934): A geographer and mathematician.
• Banū Mūsā brothers (9th century): Three brothers who were famous for their inventions and math skills.
• Abu'l-Fadl Bayhaqi: A historian.
• Abu'l-Hasan Bayhaqi: A historian and Islamic scholar.
• Al-Bayhaqi: A legal scholar and traditionist.
• Muhammad Baqir Behbahani (1706–1791): A theologian.
• Bubares (died after 480 BC): An engineer from ancient times.
• Ibn Bibi (13th century): A historian who wrote about the Seljuks.
• Biruni (973–1048): A brilliant astronomer and mathematician. He studied many different sciences.
• Muhammad al-Bukhari (810–870): A very important Islamic scholar.
• Sahl ibn Bishr (c. 786–845 ?): An astrologer and mathematician.
• Bukhtishu (8th century?): A Christian physician from the Academy of Gundishapur.
• Bukhtishu, Abdollah ibn (c. 940–1058): A Christian physician in Persia.
• Jabril ibn Bukhtishu (9th century): A Christian physician.
• Bukhtishu, Yuhanna (9th century): A Christian physician.
• Borzuya (6th century): Also known as Borzouyeh-i Tabib, he was a physician at the Academy of Gundishapur.
• Birjandi (?–1528): An astronomer and mathematician.
• Muhammad Bal'ami: A historian.
• Abu Bakr Rabee Ibn Ahmad Al-Akhawyni Bokhari: A physician.
• Abu'l-Fadl al-Bal'ami: A scholar.

D

• Abu Hanifa Dinawari (815–896): A true scientist who studied astronomy, plants, metals, geography, math, and history.
• Ibn Durustawayh (872–958): A grammarian and language expert.
• Ibn Qutaybah Dinwari (828–885): A historian and theologian.

E

• Abubakr Esfarayeni (13th century?): A physician.

F

• Al-Farghani (d. 880): An astronomer, known in Latin as Alfraganus.
• Al-Farabi (872–950): A famous philosopher.
• Fazari, Ibrahim (?–777): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Fazari, Mohammad (?–796): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Feyz Kashani, Mohsen (?–1680): A theologian.
• Firishta (1560–1620): A historian.
• Ibn al-Faqih: A historian and geographer.
• Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr al‐Farisi (d. 1278/1279): An astronomer.
• Fazlallah Khunji Isfahani (1455–1521): A religious scholar, historian, and writer.

G

• Gardizi (?–1061): A geographer and historian.
• Ghazali (1058–1111): A very influential philosopher.
• Gilani, Hakim (?–1609): A royal physician.
• Kushyar Gilani (971–1029): A mathematician, geographer, and astronomer.
• Zayn al-Din Gorgani (1041–1136): A royal physician.
• Rostam Gorgani (16th century): A physician.
• Al-Masihi (?–999): A master teacher of the famous Avicenna.

H

• Hakim Ghulam Imam: A physician.
• Hakim Muhammad Mehdi Naqi (18th century): A physician.
• Hakim Muhammad Sharif Khan (18th century): A physician.
• Hakim Nishaburi (933–1012): An Islamic scholar.
• Hallaj (858–922): A mystic and philosopher.
• Hamadani, Mir Sayyid Ali (1314–1384): A poet and philosopher.
• Harawi, Abolfadl (10th century): An astronomer.
• Harawi, Muwaffak (10th century): A pharmacologist, who studied medicines.
• Harawi, Muhammad ibn Yusuf (d. 1542): A physician.
• Hasani, Qavameddin (17th century): A physician.
• Ibn Hindu (1019–1032): A writer and physician.
• Haji Bektash Veli: A mystic.
• Ayn al-Quzat Hamadani: A legal expert, mystic, philosopher, poet, and mathematician.
• Haseb Tabari: An astronomer.
• Hammam ibn Munabbih: An Islamic scholar.
• Hamza al-Isfahani (ca. 893–after 961): A language expert and historian.
• Abu Ja'far ibn Habash: A scholar.

I

• Ibn Abi Sadiq (11th century): Called "The Second Hippocrates," he was a student of Avicenna.
• Ibn Isfandiyar (13th-century): A historian.
• Ibn Khordadbeh (c. 820–912): A geographer.
• Ibn Rustah (9th century): An explorer and geographer.
• Ilaqi, Yusef (11th century): A student of the famous Avicenna.
• Mansur ibn Ilyas (14th century): A physician.
• Ibn Sina (Avicenna, 980–1037): One of the most famous philosophers and physicians in history.
• Isfahani, Imad al-Din (1125–1201): A historian and speaker.
• Isfahani, Jalaleddin (19th century): A physician.
• Isfahani, Husayn (15th century): A physician.
• Istakhri (?–957): A geographer who gave one of the first descriptions of windmills.
• Iranshahri (9th century): A philosopher and teacher of Abu Bakr al-Razi.
• Al-Isfizari (11th–12th century): A mathematician and astronomer.

J

• Jabir ibn Hayyan (9th century): A brilliant alchemist, pharmacist, philosopher, physicist, and astronomer.
• Jaghmini (14th century): A physician.
• Juwayni (1028–1085): A philosopher and theologian.
• Juzjani, Abu Ubaid (?–1070): A physician.
• Jamal ad-Din Bukhari (13th century): An astronomer.
• Jamasp: An ancient sage and philosopher.
• Al-Abbās ibn Said al-Jawharī (800–860): A geometer, who studied shapes and spaces.

K

• Karaji (953–1029): A mathematician.
• Jamshid-i Kashani (c. 1380–1429): A very skilled astronomer and mathematician.
• Kashfi, Jafar (1775/6–1850/1): A theologian.
• Sadid al-Din al-Kazaruni (14th century): A physician.
• Kermani, Iwad (15th century): A physician.
• Kermani, Shams-ud-Din: An Islamic scholar.
• Al-Khazini (c. 1130): A physicist.
• Khayyam, Omar (1048–1131): A famous poet, mathematician, and astronomer.
• Khorasani, Sultan Ali (16th century): A physician.
• Al-Kharaqī: An astronomer and mathematician.
• Khujandi (c. 940–c. 1000): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c. 780–c. 850): He created the ideas of algorithm and algebra! A truly groundbreaking mathematician and astronomer.
• Najm al-Dīn al-Qazwīnī al-Kātibī: A logician and philosopher.
• Shams al-Din al-Khafri: An astrologer.
• Abū Sahl al-Qūhī: A mathematician and astronomer.
• Kubra, Najmeddin (1145–1220): A mystic.
• Abu Ishaq al-Kubunani (d. after 1481): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Abu Zayn Kahhal: A physician.

M

• Al-Mada'ini (752/753–843): A historian.
• Mahani (9th century): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Majusi, Ibn Abbas (?–c. 890): A physician.
• Marvazi, Abu Taher (12th century): A philosopher.
• Habash al-Hasib al-Marwazi: A mathematician, astronomer, and geographer.
• Masawaiyh (777–857): Also known as Masuya, a physician.
• Mashallah ibn Athari (740–815): From Khorasan, he helped design the city of Baghdad.
• Miskawayh (932–1030): A philosopher.
• Sharaf al-Zaman al-Marwazi: A physician.
• Hamdallah Mustawfi (1281–1349): A geographer.
• Mulla Sadra (1572–1640): A philosopher.
• Ibn al-Muqaffa' (?–756): A founder of Arabic prose.
• bin Musa, Hasan (9th century): An astronomer and mathematician.
• bin Musa, Ahmad (9th century): An astronomer and inventor.
• bin Musa, Muhammad (9th century): An astronomer and mathematician.
• Muhammad ibn Muhammad Tabrizi (13th century): A philosopher.
• Abu Mansur al-Maturidi: An Islamic scholar.
• Muqatil ibn Sulayman: A Quranic interpreter.
• Ibn Manda: A Hadith scholar.
• Abu Ahmad Monajjem (855/856–912): A music theorist and literary historian.
• Masarjawaih (7th century): A physician.
• Muhammad Abdolrahman: A physician.

N

• Nagawri (14th century): A physician.
• Nahavandi, Benjamin: A Jewish scholar.
• Nahavandi, Ahmad (9th century): An astronomer.
• Nakhshabi (14th century): A physician.
• Narshakhi (899–959): A historian.
• Nasir Khusraw (1004–1088): A scientist, scholar, mathematician, philosopher, traveler, and poet.
• Natili Tabari (10th century): A physician.
• Naubakht (9th century): A designer of the city of Baghdad.
• Naubakht, Fadhl ibn (8th century): An astronomer.
• Nawbakhty (10th century): An Islamic scholar and philosopher.
• Nizam al-Din Nishapuri: A mathematician, astronomer, and legal scholar.
• Nawbakhti, Ruh (10th century): An Islamic scholar.
• Nayrizi (865–922): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Naqshband, Baha ud-Din (1318–1389): A philosopher.
• Abu al-Qasim al-Habib Neishapuri (18th century): A physician.
• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (c. 815–875): An Islamic scholar.
• Nurbakhshi (16th century): A physician.
• Abu Hafs Umar an-Nasafi: A theologian, interpreter of the Quran, traditionist, and historian.
• Al-Nasa'i: A collector of Hadith.
• Shihab al-Din Muhammad al-Nasawi: A historian and biographer.
• Abu Nu`aym: An Islamic scholar.

O

• Ostanes: An ancient Persian alchemist, who tried to turn ordinary metals into gold.

P

• Paul the Persian (6th century): A philosopher.

Q

• Qazwini, Zakariya (1203–1283): A physician.
• Qumi, Qazi Sa’id (1633–1692): A theologian.
• Qumri (10th century): A physician.
• Ali Qushji (1403–1474): A mathematician, astronomer, and physician.
• Ali al-Qari: An Islamic scholar.
• Ali Ibn Ibrahim Qomi: A legal expert and Shia scholar.
• Al-Quda'i (d. 1062): A judge, preacher, and historian in Egypt.

R

• Razi, Amin (16th century): A geographer.
• Razi, Zakariya (Rhazes) (c. 865–925): A very famous chemist, physician, and philosopher. He made huge contributions to medicine.
• Razi, Najmeddin (1177–1256): A mystic.
• Rumi, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad (1207–1273): A world-renowned Muslim poet, legal expert, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic.
• Rashid-al-Din Hamadani (1247–1318): A historian, physician, and politician.
• Abu Hatim Ahmad ibn Hamdan al-Razi: An Ismaili philosopher.
• Rudaki (858–941): A Persian poet.

S

• Sabzevari, Mulla Hadi (1797–1873): A poet and philosopher.
• Saghani Ostorlabi (?–990): An astronomer.
• Sahl, Fadl ibn (?–818): An astronomer.
• Sahl, Shapur ibn (?–869): A physician.
• Samarqandi, Najibeddin (13th century): A physician.
• Samarqandi, Ashraf (c. 1250–c. 1310): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Samarqandi, Dawlatshah (1438–1495/1507): A biographer.
• Sarakhsi, Ahmad ibn al-Tayyib (9th century): A historian and philosopher.
• Sarakhsi, Muhammad ibn Ahmad (?–1096): An Islamic scholar.
• Ahmad ibn al-Tayyib al-Sarakhsi: A historian and traveler.
• Shahrastani (1086–1153): A historian of religions.
• Shahrazuri (13th century): A philosopher and physician.
• Shahrazuri, Ibn al-Salah (1181–1245): An Islamic scholar.
• Shaykh Tusi (996–1067): An Islamic scholar.
• Ibn Babawayh (923–991): A theologian.
• Ibn Sahl: A mathematician and physicist.
• Abu ul-Ala Shirazi (d. 1001 CE): A physician.
• Shaykh Muhammad ibn Thaleb: A physician.
• Shirazi, Imad al-Din Mas'ud (16th century): A physician.
• Shirazi, Muhammad Hadi Khorasani (18th century): A physician.
• Shirazi, Qutbeddin (1236–1311): A famous astronomer.
• Shirazi, Mahmud ibn Ilyas (18th century): A physician.
• Shirazi, Najm al-Din Mahmud ibn Ilyas (?–1330): A physician.
• Shirazi, Qurayshi (17th century): A physician.
• Shirazi, Sultan Waezin (1894–1971): A theologian.
• Sibawayh: A linguist and grammarian.
• Sijzi (c. 945–c. 1020): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Sijzi, Mas'ud (14th century): A physician.
• Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (903–986): An astronomer from Ray who invented the meridian ring.
• Mūsā ibn Shākir: An astronomer.
• Suhrawardi, Shahab al-Din (1155–1191): A philosopher.
• Abu Sulayman Sijistani: A philosopher.
• ‘Abd ar-Razzaq as-San‘ani: An Islamic scholar.
• Zayn al-Din Omar Savaji: A philosopher and logician.
• Zeynalabdin Shirvani: A geographer, philosopher, and poet.
• Abu Yaqub al-Sijistani: An Ismaili philosopher.
• Abu'l-'Anbas Saymari: An astrologer.

T

• Tabarani, Abu al-Qasim (873–970): An Islamic scholar.
• Tabari Amoli (839–923): A historian.
• Tabari, ibn Farrukhan (?–815): An astrologer and architect.
• Tabari, Abul Hasan (10th century): A physician.
• Tabari, Ibn Sahl (c. 783–c. 858): A Jewish convert physician and teacher of Rhazes.
• Tabrizi, Maqsud Ali (17th century): A physician.
• Taftazani (1322–1390): A theologian and linguist.
• Tayfur, Ibn Abi Tahir (819–893): A linguist.
• Tirmidhi (824–892): An Islamic scholar.
• Tunakabuni (17th century): A physician.
• Tughra'i (c. 1061–1122): A physician.
• Tusi, Nizam ol-Molk (1018–1092): A Persian scholar and vizier (a high-ranking official).
• Tusi, Nasireddin (1201–1274): A Persian polymath, meaning he was skilled in many areas like architecture, philosophy, medicine, science, and theology.
• Tusi, Sharafeddin (?–1213/4): A mathematician.
• Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tha'labi: An Islamic scholar.
• 'Abd al-Hamīd ibn Turk: A Persian or Turkish mathematician.

U

• Safi al-Din al-Urmawi (c. 1216–1294): A musician.
• Abu al‐Uqul al‐Tabari (14th century): An astronomer of Iranian origin from Yemen.

V

• Amin al-Din Rashid al-Din Vatvat (13th century): A scholar and physician.

W

• Waqidi (748–822): A historian.
• Wassaf: A historian.
• Al-Wabkanawi: An astronomer.

Y

• Yaʿqūb ibn Ṭāriq (?–796): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Yunus ibn Habib: A linguist.
• Yahya ibn Ma'in: An Islamic scholar.
• Yunus al-Katib al-Mughanni: A musician.
• Yahya ibn Abi Mansur (d. 830 CE): An astronomer.

Z

• Dawud al-Zahiri (815–834): A theologian and historian.
• Zamakhshari (1074/5–1143/4): A scholar and geographer.
• Muhammad Zarrindast (11th century): An eye doctor (oculist).
• Zayn-e-Attar (?–c. 1403): A physician.
• Zarir Jurjani (9th century): A mathematician and astronomer.
• Zakariya al-Qazwini (1203–1283): A physician, astronomer, geographer, and even a writer who imagined science fiction ideas!

See also

• List of contemporary Iranian scientists, scholars, and engineers
• List of Iranian mathematicians
• Nezamiyeh
• Academy of Gondishapur
• International rankings of Iran in science and technology
• List of Christian scientists and scholars of the medieval Islamic world
• List of pre-modern Arab scientists and scholars