*Ibn Rushd*

*Full Name*: Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd

*Born*: April 14, 1126, Cordoba, al-Andalus, Almoravid Emirate [present-day Spain]

*Died*: December 10, 1198 [aged 72], Marrakesh, Maghreb, Almohad Caliphate [present-day Morocco][Arabic]

*Early Life*

Born in 1128 CE in Cordoba, Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Rushd is regarded as one of the greatest thinkers and scientists in history. A product of 12th-century Islamic Spain, he attempted to integrate Aristotelian philosophy with Islamic thought. A common theme throughout his writings is that there is no conflict between religion and philosophy when both are properly understood.

*Contributions and Achievements*

Ibn Rushd’s education followed the traditional path, beginning with studies in Hadith, linguistics, jurisprudence, and scholastic theology. Throughout his life he wrote extensively on philosophy and religion, the attributes of God, the origin of the universe, metaphysics, and psychology. But he excelled in philosophy and jurisprudence, and he was given the nickname “jurist-philosopher.” The role of the philosopher in the state was a subject of constant interest for Ibn Rushd.

Ibn Rushd also made remarkable contributions to medicine. His famous book on medicine, _Kitab al-Kulliyat fi al-Tibb_ [General Principles of Medicine], was written before 1162 CE. Its Latin translation became known as _Colliget_. In it, Ibn Rushd highlights various aspects of medicine, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, along with many original observations.

He wrote at least 67 original works, including 28 on philosophy, 20 on medicine, 8 on law, 5 on theology, and 4 on grammar, in addition to his commentaries on most of Aristotle’s works and his commentary on Plato’s _The Republic_.

At the age of 25, Ibn Rushd made astronomical observations in Morocco, during which he discovered a previously unseen star. He also held the view that the Moon is opaque and dark, and that some parts of it are thicker than others, and that the thicker parts receive more light from the Sun than the thinner parts of the Moon. He also gave the first description of sunspots.

Ibn Rushd also made remarkable contributions to medicine. His famous book on medicine, _Kitab al-Kulliyat fi al-Tibb_, was written before 1162 CE. Its Latin translation was known as _Colliget_.