Islamset - Al-Ghafiqi's Ambition, Approach, and Motivation

A History of Muslim Pharmacy:
Al-Ghafiqi's Ambition, Approach, and Motivation

As he stated in the introduction, the author was 'very reluctant in making his manual available to the public ( lam uhibb idha 'atuhu fi aydi an-nas).' He gave two major reasons for his reluctance: one, the general disinterest and indifference to the entire subject among practitioners 'who expose their ignorance to differentiate between what is right, thoroughly investigated and corrected and what is not. It seems they are naturally and instinctively inclined to accept what is wrong and superficial. They embrace and admire ordinary compendiums compiled by wealthy and widely known physicians who bring nothing new. Thus they shun manuals with new ideas and ventures whose authors seek to discover truth, and with no actual concern for the contents they prefer these ,common familiar books by famous imitators.'

Two, the fear from jealous and envious colleagues, for readers did believe any criticism these compilers pronounced against those whom they opposed.

Nevertheless, under the persisting demand of confident friends al-Ghafiqi, finally consented to make his manual available for public use. It is his only book we know to exist for sure. Likewise, the previously mentioned book on pharmacy and materia medica by al-Biruni was his only manual related to life sciences. His other book al-jamahir is devoted mainly to rnineralogy. However, in al-Biruni's introduction we sense no reluctance to publish his work as we find in al-Ghafiqi's. Al-Biruni, nevertheless, was critical of ignorant practitioners, charlatans and pretenders who were, unfortunately, prospering.

But al-Biruni was not himself a medical doctor and his writings on the topic were from the vantage of a keen observer and a scientist interested in ecology and natural products that possess curing virtues and other utilities for man's well-being. Al-Ghafiqi was a practicing physician who encouraged his colleagues to acquaint themselves; with the knowledge of drugs that they will prescribe or compound and prepare in medications for their clients. He was, therefore, in the midst of a strong and ongoing competition at the everyday clinical practice, and on the teaching level as well. The stakes were great as they involved human health and safety. The importance and seriousness of the undertaking, however, was realized by both authors. It was for each' a lifelong involvement that started in youth and was made public only late in life, but in which the outcome was rewarding and praiseworthy.

In the introduction, just as al-Biruni did a century earlier, al-Ghafiqi outlined his method of approach and source material. He listed the two following aims that motivated him to write the present manual:

First, to briefly gather all the worth-collecting information from ancient and modern authors on each drug for the purpose of giving the reader balanced, select and reliable data consideration. He praised Diosco-rides and Galen in particular for their honesty in research and cited their works very frequently. He then cited Arabian authors from whose writings relevant and useful data were obtained. He occasionally introduced his own personal observations after stating that they were his.

Second, to interpret and identify unknown and unfamiliar simples encountered in medical compendiums. 'Several previous authors have given such promises or expressed similar motivations but none so far has fulfilled these pledges intend to,' al-Ghafiqi asserted.