Amman, September 3 – Dr. Tareq Al-Jabri recently launched his book “Ibn al-Quff al-Karaki… Physician of Jordan / 13th Century – A Contemporary Scientific Study” at the Cultural Forum of Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, in the presence of numerous intellectuals, writers, and specialists.
Published by House of Al-Bayruni in Jordan, the book presents the life and scientific contributions of Ibn al-Quff al-Karaki, whose discoveries advanced medicine and understanding of the heart and circulatory system, leaving a lasting scholarly legacy.
The launch event featured speeches by historian Dr. Mohammad Al-Bakhit, former Minister of Health Dr. Mahmoud Al-Shayyab, and the author Dr. Tareq Al-Jabri, introduced to the audience by Dr. Ghaleb Arabiat.
Dr. Al-Bakhit noted, “I first encountered the life of physician Abu al-Faraj Amin al-Dawla ibn Ya’qub ibn al-Quff while preparing my Master’s thesis on the history of Al-Karak during the Mamluk era (1250–1516).” He highlighted Ibn al-Quff’s manuscripts, such as Al-‘Umda fi Sina’at al-Jiraha, preserved in libraries around the world, providing brief descriptions of each.
Dr. Al-Shayyab praised the author for consulting the original manuscripts of Ibn al-Quff as well as historical accounts by both Arab historians and Orientalists. Rather than merely recounting history, Al-Jabri analyzes, contextualizes, and adds his own insights, connecting classical terminology with modern equivalents, bridging historical and contemporary perspectives. He emphasized that the book extensively reviews Ibn al-Quff’s major works, relying on diverse references.
Dr. Al-Jabri explained: “While researching the history of Arab medicine, I was struck by this physician, a son of our land, whose life and achievements deserved recognition. His key life events unfolded in Al-Karak and Ajloun, and he passed away in Damascus. Despite living only 53 years and witnessing many historical events, he was remarkably productive.” He also noted growing contemporary interest in Ibn al-Quff among researchers from Arab, Islamic, and international academic circles.
Ibn al-Quff al-Karaki was born in Al-Karak, southern Jordan, in 1232, during the reign of Ayyubid King Al-Nasir Dawud. Known particularly in medicine, he became a recognized physician by the age of 29, initially serving in the army, earning honors and promotions, and later teaching medical students.
He achieved numerous discoveries, including differentiating types of pain, conducting ongoing research, and describing anesthesia and its role in pain relief. Among his most famous works is “Kitab Jami‘ al-‘Ard fi Hifz al-Sihha wa al-Marad” (circa 1274), which gained international recognition. The book covers a range of topics, particularly embryology, where Ibn al-Quff proposed theories on fetal development and the stages of pregnancy.