الملخص في الهيئة البسيطة Significance for understanding scientific education within Islam It exists in thousands of extant copies: original, commentaries, supercommentaries & glosses containing the text It exists in thousands of extant copies: original, commentaries, supercommentaries & glosses containing the text Manuscripts of the text and commentaries shed light on transmission & transformation of knowledge Manuscripts of the text and commentaries shed light on transmission & transformation of knowledge An active tradition in Islam well into the 12 th /18 th century An active tradition in Islam well into the 12 th /18 th century