was his astronomical encyclopedia al-Qanun al-Mas'udi fi al-Hay'ah
Wa'l-Tanjim. It comprises eleven treatises in about 143 chapters and a
prelude. It was dedicated by him to the imperial library of his patron,
the Ghaznawid Sultan Mas'ud b. Mahmud, in 427/1035. Among other
authentic data, it gave accurate determination of latitudes and longitudes and geodetic measurements.
Thereafter, Beruni published his K. al-Jamahir and dedicated it to
Sultan Mahmud's grandson, Abu'l Fath Mawdud b. Mas'ud which is presently under discussion and evaluation.
Kitab al-Jamahir
Beruni was a resourceful and prolific author of the highest calibre.
However, among his numerous works, there are two that stand out in a
particular way because of their importance in the history of life sciences,
ecology, pharmacology, mineralogy and materia medica that deserve
our attention.
The one is Kitab al-Saydanali fii-Tibb on pharmacy, pharmacology
and the healing arts in two parts. Part one of the work consists of a
remarkable and thought-provoking muqaddamah. It represents an
introduction dedicated to the origins and historical development of the
theory and the practical application of the apothecary's art (pharmacy
= al-saydonah), pharmacology, therapeutics and the substitution of
drugs within the scope of the healing arts at large. As such, it is to be
considered as a masterpiece in its field not only throughout the Middle
Ages but for all time. Part two is regarded as the main text which deals
with materia medica simples and the synonyms of drugs and diets
derived from ancient and contemporary sources, and arranged in alphabetical order. The whole work was prepared in rough draft only. The
author's death prevented him from its completion, and in putting it in
its final form.
The other book is Kitab al-Jamahir fi Ma'rifat al-Jawahir, a fairly
detailed work on gemstones and minerals, also in two parts. Part one
is a muqaddamah (or a concise introduction) consisting of two brief
chapters, and fifteen tarawihs (meaning contemplations, or short pauses
for prayers and worshipful meditations). It is considered to be a predecessor to the renowned Muqaddamah of the socio-philosopher and
historian-administrator, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Khaldun (1332—1406).n
In approach, style and authenticity Kitab al-Jamahir, like Beruni's
Kitab al-Saydanah, makes for another masterpiece in its own right. It
treats of universal topics on positive knowledge ranging from polity,
sociology, natural history, environmental behaviour and human justice
to that of Muslim law, cultural and economic history, and public administration. The underlining conceptual theories, textual contents and
