and odourless hydrous magnesium silicates known also as soapstones.
They have a greasy unctuous feeling when rubbed on the skin, used as
dusting powders to allay skin irritations, and also as filtering agents
insoluble in water.
Epilogue
This is a brief evaluation of Kitab al-Jamahir's manual: its introduction and the main text. The latter comprises discussions of metallic and
non-metallic substances, their origins, compounds, synonyms, physical
and chemical properties and virtues. Among them there are eighteen
described with precision by Beruni giving details of specific gravity, in
addition to tests and means of application and refurbishing.
From the style and content, one regards how far-sighted the author
was prescient in his understanding and wisdom in his generation centuries ago. His ideals and thoughts in seeking new social reforms that
curb injustices and corruption, and political intrigues were timely. He
refused bloody confrontations and improper behaviours, projecting
orderly dialogues, and peaceful development. He looked for a spiritual
and moral renewal, internal cleansing for the whole mankind. He expected visionary planning, objective resolutions and triumphing faith.
The author aimed at the healing process for man's ills in body and
soul in face of mental anguish and unseemly conduct. He fought against
blind bigotry, hypocrisy and selfish ambitions that ruined entire communities and prejudices foreign to the spirit of Islam.
Asked for a proper and revealing manual on gemstones and minerals
the author filled a gap. In his answers and elucidating proposals and
ideas, Beruni solved many social, economic and philosophic problems.
He explored new realities of life and happiness through diligence, objective resolutions and good works. In projecting these ideas, he also
exposed human frailty, vanity, indulgence, lust for power, self-glorification and worldly ambitions. His is a commendable contribution, a
masterpiece in the history of metallurgy, as well as the history of ideas
and science at large in social, economic and technical settings, the finest
of its kind throughout the entire Middle Ages.
NOTES AND REFERENCES
1. Hakim Mohammad Said (ed.), Al-Biruni's Book on Pharmacy and
Materia Medica, vol. 1 pp. 5—16, and vol. 2, pp. 17-57; Sami Hamarneh,
"Al-Biruni, the father of Arabic pharmacy and marine biology, Comrn.
Vol., op. tit,, pp. 479-500; (Hamdard Academy Press); Muh. J. Fandi
and I. I. Ahmad, Al-Biruni, Dar al-Kitab al-'Arabi, Cairo, 1968; and A.
A. al-Shahhat, Al-Biruni, Cairo, Dar al-Ma'arif, 1968, pp. 135—45.
