Abu Ali Sina, known in the West as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath who is regarded as one of the most important scholars, physicians, astronomers, and authors of the Islamic Golden Age, as well as the father of early modern medicine.
Abu Ali Sina (980-1037) had reportedly written 450 works, of which nearly 240 survived, including 150 books on philosophy and 40 others on medicine.
His most well-known books are Shefa (Healing) on philosophy and Ghanoon (Canon) on medicine; the latter turned into a medical textbook at medieval academies. The great scientist also wrote books and articles on geography, astronomy, psychology, mathematics, Islamic theology, physics, logic, alchemy, and poetry. He utilized several libraries in Gorgan, Rey, Isfahan, Balkh, Khwarezm, and Hamedan. Ibn Sina had debates with great scholars of his time, including, Al-Biruni, Aruzi Samarqandi, Abu Sahl Masihi, Abu al-Khayr Khammar, and Abu Nasr Iraqi.
The Iranian scholar, who lived only 53 years, had a great effect on eastern and western science and scientists. Some experts consider Ibn Sina as the front runner of René Descartes (1596-1650) and Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). He wrote most of his works in Arabic, the then language of science in the Middle East, and some in Persian. Abu Ali Sina started an inquiry into the question of being, in which he distinguished between essence and existence. The scholar argued the fact that existence cannot be accounted for by the essence of existing things. Ibn Sina made an argument for the existence of God, also known as the “Proof of the Truthful.” In 2003, UNESCO established the Avicenna Prize, rewarding individuals and groups for achievements in scientific ethics.
Ibn Sina’s tomb is in Hamadan city. Every year, a large number of domestic and foreign tourists travel to this city to see his tomb.