Honein, who may rightly be considered as having at least inaugurated the second stage of the Arab Renaissance, was born in 809 A. D. at Hira, where his father Isaac, a Christian Arab, conducted a pharmacy. The inhabitants of this town were known to be somewhat lacking in cultivation, and it was therefore not surprising that, when Honein went to Bagdad and presented himself to John, the son of Mesué, as one who wished to become his pupil, his request was promptly declined on the general ground that the people of Hira had not received sufficient education to warrant any one of their number in undertaking the study of medicine. This decision was of course a great disappointment to Honein, but it disturbed him only for a short time. Soon afterward he went to Greece where he worked hard to perfect himself in the knowledge of the Greek language. Then, after a residence of two years in that country, he returned to Bagdad, taking with him a considerable supply of Greek books. His next step was directed toward gaining a better knowledge of Arabic, and with this object in view he spent some time in Bassora, a town which was situated not far to the south of Bagdad, and which possessed good educational facilities. While residing there he devoted a certain portion of his time to the translation of Galen’s treatise on anatomy; and he was accordingly prepared, upon his return to Bagdad, to submit to John, the son of Mesué, and to Gabriel, the son of Bakhtichou (who by that time was well advanced in years), a specimen of the work upon which he had been engaged. Both of these men were greatly pleased with the excellence of the translation, and encouraged Honein to go on with the work. El Mâmoun (the second son of Haroun Alraschid), who was the then reigning Caliph, engaged his services both as a translator of Greek writings (into Syriac as well as Arabic) and as a reviser of the translations which had been made by others, and he paid him most generously for these services. According to Le Clerc, the amount of literary work done by Honein was simply prodigious. He translated large portions of the treatises of Galen, Oribasius and Paulus Aegineta, as well as several of the works of Aristotle and of Plato, of the mathematicians and astronomers, and also of the philosophers; and in addition he wrote a large number of original treatises—such, for example, as a complete set of commentaries on the writings of Hippocrates, a practical work on the diseases of the eyes, etc.
The following account of Honein’s experience at the Court of the Caliph Moutaouakkel (middle of the ninth century A. D.) furnishes some insight into his character:—
The Caliph, who had heard of the great learning, ability, and industry of Honein, but who had at the same time feared that he might be in secret communication with the Greeks, decided to subject him to a test that would reveal how far he was venal. Accordingly he sent for him, clothed him in robes of honor, gave him 50,000 drachmae, and then said:
“I wish that thou wouldst prepare for me a secret combination of drugs which will enable me to get rid of one of my enemies.”
Honein replied: “I have no knowledge of any but salutary remedies, and it never occurred to me that the Prince of Believers might ask me to furnish those of a different kind. However, if it be the wish of your Majesty, I will see what I can do; but I shall require plenty of time.”
After waiting in vain for the desired preparation and finding that even threats failed to accomplish anything the Caliph put Honein in prison. Then, at the end of a year, which interval the latter had employed diligently in the work of translating, Moutaouakkel gave orders for the prisoner to be brought into his presence. Before this was done, however, a heap of objects of value was placed on one side of the room and instruments of torture on the other. When Honein was brought in, the Caliph said to him: “Time is passing, and my wishes have not yet been gratified. If thou art now ready to obey my behest, these treasures and many others in addition shall be thine. But, if thou continuest to refuse, I will subject thee to tortures and will finally put thee to death.”
“I have already told the Prince of Believers,” replied Honein, “that my knowledge is limited to the preparation of salutary remedies.”
Whereupon the Caliph said: “Have no fear! I simply wished to test thee! But tell me, what are the reasons upon which thy refusal is based?”
“There are two reasons,” replied Honein: “my religion and my profession. The first teaches us to do good to our enemies; and the second, not to do any harm to the human race. Every physician has registered an oath that he will never administer a poison.”
“Those are two excellent laws,” remarked the Caliph; and he proceeded to load Honein with presents.