Bahmanyār

Abu al-Hasan (or Abu al-Husayn) Bahmanyar ibn al-Marzban, better known as Bahmanyar, was an Iranian scholar who died in 1066. He is recognized as one of the most significant students of the renowned philosopher Avicenna. Bahmanyar hailed from a Zoroastrian background, reportedly originating from Azerbaijan in northern Iran. His father may have been the Bavandid prince al-Marzuban, author of the Marzban-nama. Bahmanyar's command of Arabic was not perfect. Little is known about his life, but he likely began his philosophical studies in Ray, a Buyid city in northern Iran, alongside Abu al-Qasim al-Kirmani. Both became involved in administration while studying Avicenna's works. Bahmanyar might have had connections to the Buyid court through family ties with the Bavandid princess Sayyida Shirin and her husband Fakhr al-Dawla. His interactions with Avicenna led to Avicenna's creation of "The Discussions" (al-Mubāḥathāt), which consisted of answers to Bahmanyar's questions. This work was compiled between 1024 and 1037, during Avicenna's time in Isfahan. In these discussions, Bahmanyar is referred to as "the aristocratic gentleman." Bahmanyar's major work, "The Summation" (Kitāb al-taḥṣīl), which summarizes Avicenna's logic, physics, and metaphysics, was also written between 1024 and 1037. He dedicated this work to his Zoroastrian uncle, Abu Mansur Bahram ibn Khurshid ibn Yazdyar. Historical accounts suggest Bahmanyar also authored works on logic and music. There is speculation about his conversion to Islam later in life, influenced by his philosophical inquiries into divine unity and the problem of evil, which differed from traditional Zoroastrian beliefs. His kunya, Abu al-Husayn, could also suggest a conversion to Shia Islam.