ambitions according to their temperaments, habits and dispositions.
Since the dawn of history, we see how two of Adam's own children
were different from one another, and had offered two distinct sacrifices. The first was accepted by God because of faith, and the other
was rejected because of disbelief.
There has always been greediness and avarice in the world. However,
according to the author, this can be restrained either for fear of God
and the belief in the Hereafter, or the fear of the Sultan and the authority of the government in the present-day life. In each case the sovereign
and his successor endeavour to rule and subjugate their followers by
controlling them for perpetuation, stability and orderly succession.
When the ruler is strong and competent, he can ably carry out his
promises to his subjects, and satisfy them with what his ambitions can
accomplish. But if he is weak, then his government will be in jeopardy
and will collapse.
(Jems and Precious Stones
Beruni, the reformer, socio-philosopher and cultural historian, pays
special attention to the topic of gems and minerals, particularly the rare
stones regarding their intrinsic values and prestige. He explains: "By
possessing gems, one receives honour and prestige. Sultans do adorn
themselves with attractive and gorgeous jewels. Other revenues for the
state's treasury enable rulers to have the wealth needed to direct and
rule their domain. To them, money is the key to authority and governing, although the real capital is the state's welfare, its prosperity and the
loyalty of its citizens (al-dawlah wa'l-iqbal).^
There are two classes of people interested in discovering precious
stones from the earth's crest. On the one hand are the kings and
princes, who put their treasures in palaces, repositories, and safe and
secure castles. On the other hand are the paupers and the beggars, who
collect money by saving one penny after another, gathered from petty
cash and by persistence, and convert them into valuable currency and
gems. Money-grabbing misers or kings alike put their treasures in hiding
places, secretly away from the attention of their closest friends and
associates. Unfortunately, many of these treasures are entirely lost by
mishaps, accidents, death, floods and other tragedies. Occasionally,
some are recovered from these deposits later.
For this reason, the author recommends the use of metal coins, or
paper currencies. Paper money seems the easiest and cheapest to reproduce and manufacture. They are also the lightest to carry from one
place to another. Gold, however, is considered the most precious and
valuable of metals for currencies and use in commercial transactions. It
is respected everywhere. What comes next in importance and value is
