Introducing the scholars of traditional medicine of Islam and Iran: Abu Hanifa Dinawari, the first Iranian Muslim botanist

During the Abbasian period, the progress of Muslims in fields of medicine and pharmacy was far more than other sciences. Iranian physicians and scientists have played a prominent role in these advances. Dinavar city is one of the ancient scientific and cultural centers of Islamic Iran and has long been the cradle of mystics and great men in the field of science and mysticism and has been of special importance. One of the celebrated scholars in traditional Islamic and Persian medicine, who rose from city of Dinavar, is Abu Hanifa Dinawari. Despite his prominent role and valuable works in the field of botany, there are unfortunately few historical sources about the life and introduction of the botanical works of this great scientist. The purpose of writing this article is to introduce Abu Hanifa Dinawari as one of the great Iranian botanists in the third century AH. This research was conducted by a documentary and library method and is based on study and review of books and sources of traditional and historical medicine of Iran and Islam as well as electronic resources. Abu Hanifa was the first Muslim botanist in the Islamic era who was able to tackle many questions and unknowns, particularly in the field of botany, so that many great scientists such as Ibn Baytar and Abu Rayhan Biruni have quoted his valuable works in explaining and describing some plants. Introducing Iranian Muslim scientists, who, despite their creativity and valuable works, have not been properly recognized, can thoroughly explain the crucial role Iranian scholars have played in development of various sciences.