Court Physicians in Andalusia During the Almohad Era (541–668 AH / 1147–1269 AD)

Abstract

Court physicians constituted a prominent scientific elite that significantly contributed to the flourishing of Islamic civilization in the Islamic West. This research aims to highlight their pivotal roles in political and intellectual life, examine the nature of their relationship with the Almohad caliphs, and analyze their contributions to the advancement of medicine, pharmacology, and scientific authorship. Furthermore, the study examines the most prominent court physicians who served the caliphs, notably Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik ibn Zuhr, Abu Bakr ibn Tufayl, and Abu al-Walid ibn Rushd. Adopting a historical-analytical approach, the study evaluates primary Arabic sources and contrasts them with contemporary scholarly studies to construct a comprehensive understanding of the status and civilizational impact of court physicians during the Almohad era.