Abu Al-Waleed Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Hafid Ibn Rushd (1126- 1198)
More commonly known in the West as Averroes, ibn Rushd was born in Cordoba, Spain. His commentaries of Aristotle's works earned him the title as The Great Commentator. Students used his commentaries as standard texts on Aristotle, until the 15th century.
Like his predecessor, Avicenna, Averroes had a passion for medicine, and wrote a famous book: Kitâb al-Kuliyya fi tibb (somebody please translate). Eighty-seven of his books are still extant.
Averroes is arguably the Muslim philosopher who has had the greatest influence on Western thought. His influence on Thomas Aquinas is evident, and both believed that there is no conflict between reason, and divine revelation.
A broad minded man and deep thinker, Averroes advocated dialogue between religions, for which, at various times in history, he was condemned by both Christians and Muslims alike.