Hakim Sadra was a famous physician born in Shiraz. He was the son of the well-known physician, Hakim Fakhr al-Din Shirazi. Hakim Sadra belonged to the Shiite sect of Islam and was an ardent follower of his religion.
Hakim Sadra studied medicine along with Hakim Muhammad Baqar. The later was the son of Hakim Imad al-Din Mahmud who stayed in Iran. When Sadra came to India he studied under the notable physician Hakim Ali Gilani. Slowly he acquired great expertise in this field. Besides being a renowned physician he was a good poet. He composed verses under the nom-de plume of Masih Ilahi. Hakim Sadra arrived in India in 1603 AD during the reign of Akbar. He however, achieved name and fame during the reign of Jahangir.
Hakim Sadra had been relegated the task of taking care of prince Khusru. The prince`s eyes had been once pierced with hot wire to deprive him of sight. However, the treatment of Hakim Sadra helped him recover one of his eyes but the other one remained a bit defective. Jahangir pleased with the knowledge and performance bestowed him the title of Masih-ul-Zaman meaning Messiah of the world. Even after the death of Jahangir he continued to receive royal treatment during the reign of Shah Jahan. The emperor had appointed him as the spokesman of his court. Sadra served the emperor for some time and later left for pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. When he returned from his pilgrimage in 1635 A.D. he resigned from his post in the court and settled down in Lahore. Nevertheless, he maintained his relation and association with the court and visited the king when he was called for some medical purpose. He is said to have cured Shahzadi Jahanara of her severe burns. Hakim Sadra died in Kashmir in 1651 A. D.
