A discourse on the life and works of Abubakr al-Akawayni al-Bokhari

Al-Akawayni is considered one of the greatest and most reputable Iranian physicians of the fourth century AH whose medical works and expertise have been reliable and acceptable sources in most periods of the history of medicine. Unfortunately, old books do not reveal much about his life and works, and what we know about him is based on his own statements and evidence and inferences we have made from his famous work “Hidayat al-Mutaallimin fi-al-Tibb" (Learner's guide to medicine). He was a student of Abu Al Qasem Moqaneiy, who, in turn, was a student of Muhammad Zakaria Razi. His works, especially “Hidayat al-Mutaallimin fi-al-Tibb", are considered reliable medical texts along with other great medical textbooks of Iran. This book is important from several viewpoints. First, it is the oldest available medical text in Persian; second, it is rich in linguistic and literary technicalities; third, it is valuable from a medical and scientific point of view, especially traditional medicine; fourth, it is an important source to learn the names of a large number of medications, herbal medicines, and scholars in the history of Iranian medicine.