450-Year-Old Manuscript Highlights Islamic Medical Genius at CIBF

A rare medical manuscript dating back more than 450 years is drawing attention at Al-Azhar’s pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair, shedding light on the sophistication of Arab-Islamic medicine.

The manuscript, Mukhtasar Tadhkirat Al-Suwaidi, is a condensed version prepared by the renowned scholar Abdul Wahhab Al-Shaarani (d. 973 AH) of a seminal medical work by physician Ibrahim Al-Suwaidi. Copied in 987 AH, the manuscript documents centuries-old medical knowledge and bears ownership marks of noted scholars, underscoring its historical circulation and credibility.

The work is organized into three sections covering single remedies, compound medicines, and treatments for diseases from head to toe, including early surgical practices. Scholars say it reflects a systematic and scientific approach combining prophetic medicine, herbal knowledge, and practical experience.

Al-Azhar is participating for the 10th consecutive year in the fair, running from Jan. 21 to Feb. 3, 2026.