Ibn Al-Athir (1149–1210)

Arab scholar

Majd Ad-Din ibn Al-Athir was a learned man of Mosul who wrote works on hadiths and philology and held high office in the administration. Eventually the opportunity of associating with powerful men lost its charm. While working as secretary of state to the lord of Mosul, Ibn Al-Athir suffered paralysis of his arms and legs, which obliged him to retire from public service. A healer from the Maghreb came to treat him, and Ibn Al-Athir began to regain the use of his limbs. He then asked his brother to pay the healer a suitable fee and send him away. He explained that, in his present condition, he was under no obligation to visit the great and court their favor with the usual tedious ceremonies. He was enjoying rest and solitude. If anything serious occurred that needed his attention, people would come and ask his advice. To remove this liberty by continuing in therapy would be pointless. He preferred to spend his remaining days in peace. Ibn Al-Athir's family admitted the strength of his argument and discontinued the treatment.