Moses Maimonides (Musa ibn Maymun), a Jewish Philosopher, Theologian and Physician: His Life and Works, an Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Musa ibn Maymun (Maimonides) is a well-known Jewish philosopher, theologian and physician. He was born in Qurtuba (Cordova) in 1153 where he was tutored in various fields of knowledge, including theology. He later moved to Pas, Morocco and then Acre, Palestine. He finally settled in Cairo, Egypt, where he became a physician in the court of Sultan Salah al-Din and the leader ofthe Jewish community in Cairo. Musa ibn Maymun's major books of medicine and philosophy were written in Arabic. His major theological work, the Mishneh Torah, was fourteen volumes in length and remains a major source of Jewish theology and law to this day. Musa ibn Maymun is a prime example of Islam's tolerance and high respect for science and scientists. Non-Muslims were given the full opportunity to flourish, achieve and be appointed to high places in Muslim countries. This represents the true spirit of Islam.