A reappraisal of a pioneering work in the history of Medicine: An introduction to Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi’s treatise al-Obneh

Abstract

This letter introduces Risalah fi al-Ubnah, a remarkable treatise by the ninth-century Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, which offers a scientific analysis of gender identity and sexual orientation. Translated by Franz Rosenthal and published in 1978, this work represents one of the earliest systematic attempts to explain biological aspects of gender and sexual differences in medical history. Employing a rational and evidence-based approach, al-Razi addresses topics considered taboo in his era, drawing on clinical observations. The treatise holds significant value for the history of medicine, gender studies, and medical ethics, serving as a vital resource for interdisciplinary research and contemporary discussions on gender identity. This letter aims to highlight its importance and encourage critical re-examination within modern frameworks.

Keywords: Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, Risalah fi al-Ubnah, History of Medicine, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Empirical Medicine, Medical Ethics