Mahbub al-qulub. Volume 2

In the Islamic world, the writing of biographical reference works has a very long tradition. In the field of philosophy and other rational sciences such as medicine, one could, for example, mention Ishaq b. Hunayn's (d. 298/910) Ta?rikh al-atibba? wal-hukama? or Ibn Abi Usaybi?a's (d. ca 668/1270) ?Uyun al-anba? fi ta?rikh al-atibba?. The present two-volume biographical dictionary of philosophers and physicians of all times thus continues a centuries-old tradition. Its author, Qutb al-Din Ishkawari Lahiji (d. ca. 1088-95/1677-78), was a student of the great Safavi thinker and founder of the School of Isfahan in philosophy, Mir Damad (d. 1041/1631). This is also obvious from his spiritually-orientated, inclusive understanding of the various actors and episodes in the history of philosophy. Written in classical Arabic, at times sprinkled with his native Persian, it distinguishes itself from earlier dictionaries in that it also contains many of the author's own philosophical opinions. 2 vols; volume 2.