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silver, then copper and other metals.
As for gemstones, they are hard to hide whether by royalty or by
thieves, hence less convenient for general usage. One learns from the past, and through experience, how to develop an insight in dealing with these matters and to know how to recognize their importance under various circumstances. There are legends and mythical attributes in every human society
that constitute the unimaginable wonders of the ancient and exotic gemstone lore. They also tell the fascinating facts of their fair exchanges, as well as the religious, spiritual and aesthetic values that reveal their natural spectacular phenomena. Within the earth's interior, the natural mineral kingdom at large keeps on changing and developing. The richly deposited gems and crystals are, therefore, often brought up, fought for, explored or exploited. As a result of natural outbursts and eruptions, for example, they become available to man. Hence they are joyfully received with increased admiration and appreciation for their unmatched beauty, rarity, portability and durability against wear and abrasion. Knowing of such people who abuse the jewellery trade, Beruni
warns against the evil doer and the charlatan who cheats, steals and has the ability to deceive. In order to upgrade and inject reformed social behaviour, he advises, with passion and genuine human tenderness, that one should walk in the paths of peace and contentment, teach and warn against corruption and deviations from the truth for the purpose of insuring a better standard of living, and action for the welfare of the majority. Word to the Wise
In K. al-Jamahir, the author fully recognizes that although many
have little wealth of this world, yet they are wealthy indeed in having spiritual and cultural heritage. And many others who have abundant: treasures of silver and gold are miserable and unhappy people. Never theless, one must realize the important role that money could play in the affairs of state, as well as in society as a whole. Then Beruni adds: "The foremost in a country, among all its citizens, is its ruler, the one who ought to endeavour to store as much money in the national treasury as possible in revenues. By having such capital, he can generously and easily keep the economy and the government machinery running smoothly".27 Beruni also recalls how the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur, being the
true founder of the dynasty, diligently amassed a tremendous fortune in the state treasury with a worthy purpose in mind. But among his subjects, very many did not consider what he had in mind. For this reason, they stigmatized him as being thrifty and avaricious. "Nonetheless, he |
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250
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