Origins & Early Life

Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (Arabic: فخر الدين الرازي; Persian: فخر الدين رازی; 1149 or 1150 – 1209; AH 543–606), also known as Fakhruddin Razi and by the sobriquet Sultan of the Theologians, was a prominent Muslim theologian, philosopher, polymath, and scientist. He wrote extensively on theology, philosophy, ontology, jurisprudence, medicine, chemistry, physics, astronomy, cosmology, history, and literature, was among the pioneers of inductive logic, and was the author of the major Qur'anic commentary Tafsir al-Kabir. Al-Rāzī was born in Ray and eventually died in Herat, in present-day Afghanistan. He opposed the Muʿtazilites and was eventually compelled into exile, ultimately settling in Herat.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

There he founded a madrasa, attracted numerous pupils, and received the title Shaykh al-Islām. His effort to demonstrate that theology and philosophy could be reconciled led some contemporaries to accuse him of betraying Islam, and his death may have resulted from poisoning. His philosophical and theological writings show the influence of Avicenna, Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī, and al-Ghazālī. Among his most important philosophical works are Mabāḥith al-mashriqiyya fī ʿilm al-ilāhiyyāt wa-l-ṭabīʿiyyāt...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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