Ibn Sina, the 'Sultan of World Medicine,' Commemorated

Ibn Sina, one of the most important scientists of the Turkish and Islamic World, was commemorated in a program organized within the scope of Ibn Sina week events. In the program where Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pathology, took part as a speaker, Öztek made remarkable evaluations under the title “Ibn Sina, the Sultan of World Medicine.” Stating that Ibn Sina was a great scientist who produced groundbreaking works in fields such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and mathematics during the Golden Age of Islam, even at a young age, Öztek noted the importance of protecting history and science. 

Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak: “As Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we commemorate all scientists who have served humanity”

The opening speech of the event was delivered by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak. Koçak said; “As Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we commemorate all scientists who have served humanity. In every faculty and department of our university, you can find the pictures and biographies of some of them. Today, Ibn Sina, one of them, compressed great works into a 57-year life, including medicine, astronomy, logic, physics, and general ethics. He is a scientist and a medical doctor more recognized in the West than by us. This event was organized on the occasion of Ibn Sina week to refresh our knowledge, remember him again, and commemorate him. I thank Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek.”

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek: “Ibn Sina, one of the most important physicians of Islam’s golden age”

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Öztek, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pathology, conveyed Ibn Sina's life in detail to the participants. Öztek said; “Ibn Sina made great contributions to world science and medicine. He is one of the most important physicians, astronomers, thinkers, and writers of Islam's golden age. He received education in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. At the age of sixteen, he memorized medical books in many libraries and became an authority. Later, he produced more than two hundred medical books and about two hundred and fifty articles. He learned Aristotle's philosophy and metaphysics through Farabi's interpretation. He examined the works of all Ancient Greek philosophers and Anatolia. His teachers could not keep up with him. Finally, after acquiring the fundamental books of all disciplines related to philosophy, he began to focus on medical subjects. At the age of sixteen, he possessed knowledge in various fields such as philosophy, literature, mathematics, and medicine. At nineteen, he received his doctorate. He discussed medical and philosophical topics with the greatest scholars of his time and worked with them.”

Five conditions of goodness…

Emphasizing the importance of protecting history and science, Öztek stated that, according to Ibn Sina, there are five conditions for goodness. Öztek said; “First, it must be prompt. If we are to do good, it should be done quickly. It must be secret. Do not disclose the good deeds you do. Do not overestimate the good you do. It must be continuous. If you give, give continuously, and what you give must find its place. There is a spiritual imagination. This power can create diseases as well as eliminate existing ailments. The body must obey the commands of the spiritual imagination. All diseases essentially arise from what is eaten and drunk.”

Öztek: “He combined his own thoughts with the logic of Islam”

Öztek stated that Ibn Sina researched many scientists who lived before him and remained in the depths of history; “He examined many scientists and practically memorized their works. He prioritized Ancient Greek philosophers and scientists who lived in pre-Christian eras. He memorized all their books. He sought help from their works. He analyzed them, filtered them, and combined them with his own thoughts and the logic of Islam.”

The online event, which attracted great interest from participants, concluded after a Q&A session.