Is He Truly Ibn al-Nafīs? A Study on the Name and Title of Alā’al-Dīnal-Qarashī

Historical considerations have always been open to doubts and have led to ambiguities for researchers. Recently, doubts have been raised concerning the name and sobriquet of the famous scientist and physician of the seventh "Hijrī" century ‘Alā’ al-Dīn Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī ibn Abī al-Ḥazm/ al-Ḥaram al-Qarashī, known as Ibn al-Nafīs. In this study, we investigated these uncertainties and attempted to arrive at his accurate name and sobriquet through data from codicology, as well as Islamic medicine manuscripts and his works in other scientific traditions.

Accordingly, we referred to various versions of his works, such as "al-Mūjaz", "Sharh al-Qānūn fī al-ṭibb" (Commentary on Avicenna's Canon of Medicine) etc., as well as citations by his contemporaries and posterities, and presented many doubts regarding attributing the sobriquet Ibn al-Nafīs to him.

Using several handwritten manuscripts attributed to him, and the writings of contemporary researchers, the study concludes by suggesting that the best form of mentioning his name in texts and articles are in short ‘Alā’ al-Dīn al-Qarashī or as a full name Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī ibn Abī al-Ḥaram/ al-Ḥazm al-Qarashī. Ethical Considerations: In references to the texts, honesty and trustworthiness, citation of the texts used avoidance of bias in inferring the texts or analyzes have been observed.

Nevertheless, this does not bring about the conclusion that this attribution is incorrect; however, exercising caution in using the sobriquet Ibn al-Nafīs for this great physician appears sensible. Therefore, it is recommended that encyclopedias use al-Qarashī for the entry of his name. Also, we considered four possibilities in his lineage and showed that among Qarshi, Qurashi and Qarashi readings, the latter reading is supported by more evidence. Nonetheless, other readings are not generally rejected but citing Qarashi in studies appears more reasonable. With regard to the title (kunya) of his father mentioned along with Qarashi’s name as Ibn Abī Al-Ḥaram or Ibn Abī al-Ḥazm, we showed that contrary to the view of contemporary researchers none of the two possibilities should be excluded and preferably in contemporary citations the word should be written as Al-Ḥaram/ Al-Ḥazm.