By freeing alchemy of superstition and magic potions Jabir set it on the path of scientific discipline.
He discovered as many as 19 elements such as aresenic, antimony and bismuth. He was also the first to classify sulphur and mercury as 'elements'. and the first to purify and isolate sulfur and mercury as pure elements.
He explained scientifically the two principal functions of chemistry; calcination and reduction, and registered marked improvement in the methods of evaporation, sublimation, distillation, melting and crystalization that have become the foundation of today's chemistry and chemical engineering.
Jabir modified and corrected the Aristotelian theory of constituents of the metals, which remained unchanged till the beginning of the modern chemistry in the 18th century A.D.
He explained in his works the preparation of many chemical substances including 'cinnabar' (Sulphide of Mercury) and arsenious oxide . It has been established that he was conversant with the preparation of nearly pure vitriol, alums, alkali and the production of the so-called liver and milk of sulphur by heating sulphur with alkali. He prepared mercury oxide and discovered sulphuric acid, and by distilling it together with various salts, Jabir discovered hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. By combining the two, he invented aqua regia, one of the few substances that can dissolve gold. He is also credited with the discovery of citric acid, acetic acid, and tartaric acid.
Jabir used his chemical adroitness to improve many manufacturing processes: making steel, preventing rust, engraving gold, tanning leather, dyeing and waterproofing cloth and the chemical analysis of pigments and other chemicals.
Jabir's solution for the greenish tinge left by iron in glass-making was to add manganese dioxide - exactly how it is done to this day.
He is credited with the invention of over twenty types of now-basic chemical laboratory equipment, such as the alembic and retort.
Several technical scientific terms coined by Jabir found their way in various European languages through Latin and were adopted in the modern chemistry. Among these terms are realigar, tutia, alkali, antimony, alembic for the upper an aludel for the lower part of distillation vessel.
Jabir has been recognized as the Master by the later both Muslim and Western chemical scientists and history of chemistry cannot be completed without his inclusion.
We will be back with another great scholar, Muslim World produced in its golden age
Leave a Reply