Abu Al-Nasr Mohammed Ibn Farak Al- Farabi 

 Abu Al Nasr Mohammed Ibn Farak Al- Farabi was born in a small village Wasji, near Farab in Turkistan in 259 A.H. (870 C.E). His parents were originally of Persian descent, but his ancestors had migrated to Tukistan. He completed his earlier education at Farab and Bukhara but later on, he went to Baghdad for higher studies and worked for a long time, from 901 C.E to 942 C.E. During this period he acquired mastery over several languages as well as various branches of knowledge and technology. He lived through the region of six Abbasid Caliphs.
As a philosopher and scientist, he acquired great proficiency in various branches of learning and is reported to have been an expert in different languages. Farabi traveled to many distant lands and studies for some time in Damascus and Egypt, but repeatedly came back to Baghdad, until he visited Said al-Daula’s court in Halab (Aleppo). He came one of the constant companions of the King, and it was here at Halab that his fame spread far as wide.
 During his early years he was a Qadi (Judge), but later on he took up teaching as his profession. During the course of his career, he had suffered great hardships and at one time was the caretaker of a garden. He died a bachelor in Damascus in 339 A.H 590 C.E. at the age of 80 years.
Farabi contributed considerably to science, philosophy, logic, sociology, medicine, mathematics and music.
He major contributions seem to be in philosophy, logic and sociology and of course, stand out as an Encyclopedist.
One of the important contributions of Farabi was to make the study of logic easier by dividing it into two categories “Takhayul” (idea) and "Thubut" (proof). In sociology he wrote several books out which Ara Ahl al-Madina al-Fadila became famous.
His books on psychology and metaphysics were largely based on his own work. He also wrote a book on music, captioned Kitab al Musiqa. He was great expert in the art and science of music and invented several musical instruments, besides contributing to the knowledge of musical notes. It has been reported that he could play this instrument so well as to make people laugh or weep at will. In physics he demonstrated the existence of void.
Although many of his books have been lost, 117 are known, out of which 34 are on logic, 7 on political science, 17 on music, medicine and sociology, while 11 are commentaries.
Some of his more famous books include the book Fusus al-Hikam, which remained a textbook of philosophy for several centuries at various centers of learning and is still taught at some of the institutions in the East.
The book Kitab al-Ihsa al ‘Ulum discusses classification and fundamental principles of science in a unique and useful manner. The book Ara Ahl al-Madina al Fadila ‘The model City’ is a significant early contribution to sociology and political science.Farabi exercised great influence on science and knowledge of several centuries.