By Famidah Mundir Dirampaten
The Islamic Golden Age was an extraordinary time in human history, marked by exemplary intellectual and cultural flourishing. During this period of enlightenment, Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi, an exceptional 9th-century Muslim scholar and polymath, emerged, leaving an indelible mark on numerous fields of knowledge. Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi was born in 850 CE in Shamistiyan, a Persian village in the province of Balkh, Khorasan, in what is now Afghanistan. His outstanding contributions to geography, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and science demonstrated the period’s intellectual vitality. The Islamic Golden Age spanning from the 8th to 14th centuries was marked by significant advancements in various fields that had a lasting impact on human civilization, for example, the rise of extraordinary polymaths.
At the heart of Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi’s achievements lies the fusion of Islamic scholarship with the wisdom of ancient civilizations. His versatility and breadth of knowledge reflected the multidimensional brilliance that defined this transformative era.
He studied under Al-Kindi, who is commonly referred to, in certain sources, as the “father of Arab philosophy.” He built upon the groundwork established by renowned scholars like Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, incorporating their valuable insights with his distinctive contributions. The exchange of ideas, the synthesis of knowledge, and the intellectual spirit were what motivated scholars during the Golden Age of Islam.
During this learning period for Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi, he lived in a time when scholars translated texts from the Greek language into the Arabic language. This helped preserve and spread knowledge that would have been lost otherwise. Islamic scholars made original contributions to various fields through their own research and experimentation. A prime example is Al-Khwarizmi’s contribution to algebra, which revolutionized mathematics and paved the way for modern calculus.
Similarly, Abu Zayd Al Balkhi’s writings exhibit his superior intellect, broad interests, and profound knowledge of traditional Arabic culture, political and ethical thought, and the Hellenistic philosophical and scientific tradition. On the other hand, he was able to explain intricate concepts in straightforward language in his writings.
The majority of what we know about Al-Balkhi’s life comes from one biographer, Yaqut al-Hamawi. In Mu’jam al-Udaba, Hamawi writes that when Balkhi spoke, it was as if “a shower of gems had fallen.” People who knew him described him as a shy and contemplative person. Balkhi preferred seclusion and contemplation over socializing with friends.
Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi wrote over 60 books and manuscripts. Regrettably, only a small percentage of his documents have survived to the present day, with the possibility that some may be hidden within the confines of museums or inaccessible libraries. The intellectual prowess of the scholar is evident in his works on the “Sustenance of the Soul” and the “Balkhi School” of terrestrial mapping. In The Kitāb al-Fihrist (The Book of Catalogue) compiled by Ibn Al-Nadim, he attributes several works to Al-Balkhi including the Excellency of Mathematics, on Certitude in Astrology, and Figures of the Climates.
Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s contributions to the fields of psychology and medicine are highly regarded for their significance. He has made noteworthy advancements in the field of human psychology. His understanding of mental health was notably advanced, exceeding the prevailing knowledge of his time:
- He was the first to differentiate between neurosis and psychosis and to classify neurotic disorders into four types: fear and anxiety, anger and aggression, sadness and depression, and obsessions.
- He was the first to use cognitive therapy as a way of treating each of these classified disorders by changing one’s thinking patterns.
- He was the first to recognize that mental illness can have both psychological and physiological causes and that it can affect both the body and the soul.
- He was the first to write a comprehensive book on psychology and psychosomatic medicine titled Masalih al-Abdan wa al-Anfus (Sustenance for Body and Soul), which covered topics such as stress, coping, self-care, hygiene, diet, exercise, sleep, and spirituality.
He has delved into various fields demonstrating his extensive knowledge and brilliance. It’s interesting to think about the profound insights and immense wealth of knowledge that could have been gained from his enigmatic texts that have vanished into the mists of time. Still, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s achievements demonstrate the impact of scholars working together and the significance of promoting a culture that stimulates originality and ingenuity dating as far back as the Golden Age.
About the Author:
Famidah Dirampaten is the Assistant Editor for the World Hijab Day Organization. She is also a candidate for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies with concentrations in Interfaith Peace Building and Nonprofit Leadership at the Unification Theological Seminary in New York. She is currently based in Doha, Qatar. When she’s not busy weaving words or volunteering her time, you can find her soaking up the joy of motherhood.
Instagram@famidz
