AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF IBN SINA’S POETIC MEDICAL WORKS

Abstract

Poetry has long been considered a beautiful and powerful means of expressing emotions. Additionally, historical data indicates that on several scientific issues, in many instances poetry is preferred over prose, particularly because it can distill complex ideas into more accessible and emotionally resonant forms. Poetry frequently has a greater impact than prose because a poet may convey in a single poem what might take 10 pages of writing to explain with force and power. Poetry is easier to remember than prose, and the most important events, sciences, and arts can be easily transmitted from generation to generation by adapting them to the form of poetry. Muslim physicians, who specialized in poetry and literature, also conveyed medical information through poetic forms. Among these famous physicians are Ibn Sina, Ibn Tufail, Yusuf Haravi, etc. Syllabic repetitions produce a jingle-like sound that is particularly easy to remember. As documented by Qattaya, Ibn Sina composed several other medical Urjuzahs, one on anatomy, one on health preservation during the four seasons, one on tried medicaments, and one on clinical evidence derived from pulse and urine.