Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Razi Abūbakr Mohammad-e Zakariyyā-ye Rāzī ابوبكر محمّد زکرياى رازى
Born	854 CE Ray, Abbasid Caliphate (Iran)
Died	932 (aged 77–78) or 925 (aged 70–71) CE Ray, Samanid Empire (Iran)
Era	Islamic Golden Age
Region	Islamic philosophy
Main interests	Medicine, philosophy, alchemy,
Notable ideas	The first to write up limited or extensive notes on diseases such as smallpox and chickenpox, a pioneer in ophthalmology, author of the first book on pediatrics, making leading contributions in inorganic and organic chemistry, also the author of several philosophical works.

Abū Bakr Muhammad Zakariyyā Rāzī (Persian: ابوبكر محمّد زکرياى رازى Abūbakr Mohammad-e Zakariyā-ye Rāzī), also known as Rhazes or Rasis, was an amazing Persian scholar who lived from 854 to 925 CE. He was a true polymath, meaning he was an expert in many different fields. He was a skilled physician, an alchemist, a philosopher, and a very important person in the history of medicine. He also wrote about logic, astronomy, and grammar.

Razi was a deep thinker who made huge contributions to many areas of knowledge. He wrote over 200 books and papers! He is especially remembered for his many breakthroughs in medicine. He used careful observations and made important discoveries.

A Pioneer in Medicine

Razi was one of the first people to use experimental medicine. This means he tested his ideas to see if they worked, rather than just guessing. He became a very successful doctor. He even served as the chief physician in hospitals in Baghdad and Ray.

Teaching and Patient Care

As a teacher of medicine, Razi attracted students from all walks of life. People say he was very kind and dedicated to helping his patients. It didn't matter if they were rich or poor, he treated everyone with care.

Understanding Diseases

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, Razi was among the first to use the idea of humoral theory to tell different contagious diseases apart. He wrote a groundbreaking book about smallpox and measles. In this book, he clearly described the symptoms of these diseases.

Impact on Medical Knowledge

Razi's medical writings and ideas became very well known. They were translated and spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. His work greatly influenced how medicine was taught in Western universities.

Key Contributions

Some parts of his book Al-Mansuri, especially sections on "Surgery" and "A General Book on Therapy," became required reading for medical students in the West. Edward Granville Browne, a famous scholar, called him "probably the greatest and most original of all the Muslim physicians." He also said Razi was one of the most productive writers.

Razi is often called the father of pediatrics, which is the study of children's health. He was also a pioneer in obstetrics (care during childbirth) and ophthalmology (the study of eyes). For example, he was the first to notice how the pupil of the eye reacts to light.

See also

In Spanish: Al-Razi para niños

Images for kids

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  Depiction of al-Razi in a 13th-century manuscript of a work by Gerard of Cremona

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  al-Razi examining a patient (miniature painting by Hossein Behzad, 1894–1968)

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  Doctor performing uroscopy (from a Latin translation of a work by al-Razi, 1466)

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  Colophon of al-Razi's Book of Medicine for Mansur

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  al-Razi in his laboratory (orientalist painting by Ernest Board, c. 1912)

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  al-Razi as depicted by Veloso Salgado (c. 1906)

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  Stained-glass window depicting al-Razi (Princeton University Chapel, c. 1924–1928)