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Adab al-Tabib is the common title of a historical Arabic book on medical ethics, written by Al-Ruhawi, a 9th-century physician. The title can be roughly translated "Practical Ethics of the Physician". As the name suggests, it focuses on adab, the Islamic concept of etiquette and personal ethics, as it is defined in a medical context. One of the earliest texts on Islamic medical ethics, it has been called the "crowning achievement" of early works on adab in medicine.

Influences

A primarily Islamic text, Adab al-Tabib builds on the works of several earlier Muslim and middle-eastern Christian philosophers and medical authorities, like Al-Kindi and Hunayn ibn Ishaq. However, it draws from many other historical traditions as well, especially those of ancient Greece. The book incorporates quotes from Greek philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, and Hippocrates, among others. It also borrows heavily on the writings of the prominent Roman physician Galen.

Content

Beliefs of author

While Al-Ruwahi had been born Christian, there is some debate about whether he had converted to Islam when he wrote Adab al-Tabib.

References

1. ^ Padella, Aasim (2007). "Islam Medical Ethics" (PDF). Bioethics. 21: 169–178.
2. Levey, Martin (1967). "Medical Ethics of Medieval Islam with Special Reference to Al-Ruhawi's "Practical Ethics of the Physician"". Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. 57: 1–100.