Title Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi Religion Islam Role Philosopher Era Islamic Golden Age | Ethnicity Arab Name Abu al-Tawhidi Died 1023, Shiraz, Iran Region Iraq | |
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Main interest(s) Literature, and philosophy Notable work(s) Al-\'Imta\' wa al-Mu\'anasa (Enjoyment and Conviviality) Similar Miskawayh, Al Farabi, Averroes | ||
Ali ibn Mohammed ibn Abbas (923-1023) (Arabic: علي بن محمد بن عباس) also known as Abū Hayyān al-Tawhīdī (Arabic: أبو حيان التوحيدي) was one of the most influential intellectuals and thinkers of the 10th century. Yaqut Al-Hamawi described him as "the philosopher of litterateurs and the litterateur of philosophers." However, he was neglected and ignored by the historians of his era. This neglect continued until Yaqut wrote his book Mu'jam Al-'Udaba' (معجم الأدباء), which contained a biographical outline of at-Tawhidi, relying primarily on what al-Tawhidi had written about himself.
Contents
Origin
There are differing views on the dates of al-Tawhidi's birth and death, and his origins. According to Tarikh-i Sistan, he was born in 923 Near Baghdad or Fars, and died in 1023 in Shiraz. Al-Tawhidi had a difficult childhood. He was born into a poor family that sold dates called Tawhid (hence his surname), and spent much of his childhood as an orphan in the care of his uncle, who treated him poorly.
Works
In spite of the incident of burning his books collectively (which was symbolic of course) by himself, he has left a set of literary, philosophical, and Sufi works, which were distinctive in the history of the Arabic literature. Perhaps the most important works are: