| Biographical detail : | The first Muslim scientist who contributed to Zoology, Botany and Animal Husbandry.
Al-Asmai’s contributions, in addition to science, were also in Arabic poetry. He had an outstanding knowledge of the Arabic grammar and lexicography of classical Arabic. He also compiled an anthology of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry called al Asma Iyyat. Several of his works were translated into European languages.
Al-Asmai’s famous writings include Kitab al-Ibil, Kitab al-Khalil, Kitab al-Wuhush, Kitab al-Sha, and Kitab Khalq al-Insan. The last book on the human anatomy demonstrates his considerable knowledge and expertise of the subject. His work was popular among scientists of the ninth and tenth centuries.
Al-Asmai was a disciple of Amr Ibn al’ala, and was a tutor to Harun Rashid’s son.
Al-Asmai whose full name was Abdul Malik Ibn al-Quraib al-Asmai was born in Basra.
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