1. Book Description (Bibliographic Data)
Main Title: Minhaj al-Dukkan wa Dustur al-A'yan fi A'mal wa Tarakib al-Adwiya al-Nafi'a lil-Abdan (The Method of the Shop and the Constitution of Notables in the Works and Compositions of Beneficial Medicines for Bodies).
Author: Abu al-Muna Dawud ibn Abi Nasr, known as "Al-Attar Al-Haruni" (a famous pharmacist and herbalist who lived in the Ayyubid/Mamluk era in Cairo, and died in the 7th century AH).
Editor: Dr. Hassan Assi.
Publisher: Dar Al-Manahil for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution (Beirut).
Publication Year and Edition: First Edition, 1992 AD.
Book Subject: This book is considered one of the most important and comprehensive ancient Arab heritage references in the science of pharmacy (pharmacopoeia) and herbalism, and the composition of single and compound drugs, in addition to addressing the ethics of the pharmacy profession in that era.
Cover Art: Features a design inspired by ancient Islamic manuscripts, depicting a physician or herbalist with their student or patient examining and preparing medicinal herbs.
2. Book's Physical Condition (Based on Visual Inspection)
The book is in very good to excellent condition as an old paper copy over 30 years old:
Outer Cover: Intact, with no clear tears or sharp creases at the corners. The colors and texts are clear, and the black color has not faded significantly.
Margins and Edges: The book's edges appear straight, with very slight and natural wear due to shelving or storage at the bottom right and left corners, which is normal for a book from the nineties.
Note: The phrases written on the sides (such as: " فيه شفاء للناس - صدق الله العظيم " - "In it is healing for people - Allah the Almighty has spoken the truth") are part of the original printed design of the cover and not handwritten markings that deface it.
3. Is the Book Rare?
Yes, this book is currently classified as relatively "rare and valuable" (Out of Print / Sold Out) in the used and antique book market, for the following reasons:
Sold Out Edition: The Dar Al-Manahil edition (1992) edited by Dr. Hassan Assi is an old and highly sought-after edition among researchers and heritage libraries, and it is completely sold out from publishers and major book selling platforms (like Neel wa Furat and others).
Importance of the Editing: Dr. Hassan Assi's editing gives the copy additional scientific value compared to other commercial and photographic reprints of the book.
Subjective Value: Books dealing with the history of ancient Arab medicine and pharmacy are of great interest to collectors of heritage books and researchers in the history of Arab sciences.
