Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi / Zahravius / Albucasis

   

Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi was born in Al-Zahra, four miles away from Cordova - capital of Spain (Andalus) in 936 AD. At that time Cordova was at its peak in the reign of Abdul Rehman Nasir. Cordova university was the most famous university in west. At that time many scholars of different subjects were used to engage in research in Cordova University. In that environment, Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi seek education and gained mastery in the field of medicine.

West, most of the time, pronounce name of Muslim scientists incorrectly so, in the same way they are used to call him Albucasis or Zahravius. We think that the procedure and equipment we are using in this modern era are the inventions of west but we are wrong. Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi designed all the surgical equipment and drawn methods of surgery. Unfortunately, we are unaware of golden era of Muslim scientists and the reason is that we don't explore. Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi was the person who gave west the idea of surgery.

He had written all the methods and drawn equipment in his book - "TASREEF" while doing inventions with time. It was the first book that contained deep explanation of surgery. In this book he thoroughly explained the use of surgical tools - scissors, forceps, scalpel, hooks, surgical knives along with their diagrams. No one ever thought of the methods of surgery and equipment invented by great Muslim scientist, Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi.

Many writers, after the book of Abu Al Qasim Zahrawi, wrote about surgery by using references of his book. TASREEF, written in Arabic, was translated into Latin (dominant language until 18th century) and French. This book was not only translated into other languages, but summary was also written by different writers. It remained the famous book till the end of 19th century.

There is a list of great Muslim scientists who laid the foundation of knowledge, research, discoveries and inventions.