Section 1 of Chapter 1:

Ibn Sīnā (980-1037 CE), known in the West as Avicenna, was one of the most influential Muslim polymaths and scientists. Born in Bukhara (located in modern Uzbekistan), he exhibited an avid intellect from a young age by mastering logic, mathematics and natural sciences. His keen curiosity and diligence in investigating nature through experimentation and reasoning set him apart.

One of Ibn Sina's most renowned works was al-Qānūn fī al-Ṭibb (The Canon of Medicine), a vast medical encyclopedia summarizing contemporary scientific knowledge alongside his own clinical observations and therapeutic recommendations. What made The Canon groundbreaking was Ibn Sina's emphasis on careful empirical data collection rather than mere theoretical speculation. He advocated direct observation of diseases, their symptoms and impacts on human anatomy through autopsies and animal trials.

Ibn Sina was a pioneer in stressing the importance of evidence-based diagnosis and treatment. He was among the first to promote an analytical "step-by-step" approach to problem-solving in medicine. These empirical foundations established by Ibn Sina helped elevate the scientific credibility and academic rigor of the medical field. His emphasis on combining education and experimentation inspired generations of Muslim and European physicians. Through the diligent documentation of his findings, Ibn Sina exemplified the Islamic value of beneficial knowledge-sharing for current and future communities.