The Bukhtishu family, a renowned lineage of Nestorian Christian physicians, flourished in Iran between the 2nd and 5th centuries AH. One of their most significant contributions is Manaf’ al-Hayawan (The Benefits of Animals), authored by Obaidullah ibn Jibril Bukhtishou, which explores the medicinal and beneficial properties of animals. Obaidullah, whose full name was Abu Sa’id Obaidullah ibn Jibril ibn Bukhtishou, passed away in 450 AH. Details about his life are scarce, though it is known that he lived in Miyafarqin and maintained a friendship with Ibn Butan.

A rare and exquisite manuscript of this work, cataloged as Arabe 2782 in the Arabic manuscripts collection at the National Library of Paris, dates back to 700 AH and is enriched with detailed illustrations of various animals. In the book’s introduction, the author’s name is incorrectly recorded as “Abdullah,” likely intended to refer to “Obaidullah.”

In 1388 SH (2009 CE), a Persian translation of this work, based on the 7th-century manuscript, was published by Mohammad Roshan. The Paris manuscript spans 116 pages, offering both textual descriptions and visual depictions of each animal. The main text is written in a clear and elegant Naskh script, while the first pages and some other leaves are in a later hand. The manuscript’s final note suggests that it is a concise version of Obaidullah’s original work, compiled by an unknown scholar prior to 700 AH.