Geber - Contributions to alchemy

Jabir Ibn Hayyan (full name Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan Al-Azdi, أبو موسى جابر بن حيان الأزدي; ca.721, Tus, Iran – 815, Kufa, Iraq), known in Europe by the Latinized name Geber, was one of the most notable Islamic alchemists. His books strongly influenced European alchemists and justified their search for the philosopher's stone. He is credited with the invention of many types of now-basic chemical laboratory equipment, and with the discovery and description of many now-commonplace chemical substan ...

Including:

• Geber - Biography
• Geber - Contributions to chemistry
• Geber - Contributions to alchemy
• Geber - Writings by Jabir
• Geber - Translated work of Jabir

Read more here: » Geber: Encyclopedia - Geber

Jabir became an alchemist at the court of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, for whom he wrote the Kitab al-Zuhra ("The Book of Venus", on "the noble art of alchemy"). Jabir's alchemical investigations revolved around the ultimate goal of takwin — the artificial creation of life. Alchemy had a long relationship with Shi'ite mysticism; according to the first Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, "alchemy is the sister of prophecy". Jabir's interest in alchemy was probably inspired by his teacher Ja'far al-Sadiq, and he was himself called "the Sufi", indicating that he fo ...

See also:

Geber, Geber - Biography, Geber - Contributions to chemistry, Geber - Contributions to alchemy, Geber - Writings by Jabir, Geber - Translated work of Jabir

Read more here: » Geber: Encyclopedia II - Geber - Contributions to alchemy

Jabir is often called "Father of Chemistry", because he was the first scholar to scientifically systematize that science, to whose theory and practice he made many noteworthy contributions. In spite of his leanings toward mysticism (he was considered a Sufi) and superstition, he more clearly recognized and proclaimed the importance of experimentation. "The first essential in chemistry," he declared, "is that you should perform practical work and conduct experiments, for he who performs not practical work nor makes experim ...

See also:

Geber, Geber - Biography, Geber - Contributions to chemistry, Geber - Contributions to alchemy, Geber - Writings by Jabir, Geber - Translated work of Jabir

Read more here: » Geber: Encyclopedia II - Geber - Contributions to chemistry

The writings of Jabir Ibn Hayyan can be divided into four categories: 1. The 112 Books dedicated to the Barmakids, viziers of Caliph Harun al-Rashid who were descended from Zoroastrian priests from Bactria. This group includes the Arabic version of the Emerald Tablet, an ancient work that is the foundation of the Hermetic or "spiritual" alchemy. In the Middle Ages it was translated into Latin (Tabula Smaragdina) and ...

See also:

Geber, Geber - Biography, Geber - Contributions to chemistry, Geber - Contributions to alchemy, Geber - Writings by Jabir, Geber - Translated work of Jabir

Read more here: » Geber: Encyclopedia II - Geber - Writings by Jabir

Jabir Ibn Hayyan was born around 721 in the town of Tus in Khorasan, Persia (present-day Iran). His father, a druggist of the Azd tribe, was executed for conspiring to overthrow the Umayyad caliphate. As a young man Jabir was sent to Kufa (present Iraq), to study the Qu'ran and mathematics. In Kufa he became a student of the celebrated Islamic teacher and sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. He lived for most of his ...

See also:

Geber, Geber - Biography, Geber - Contributions to chemistry, Geber - Contributions to alchemy, Geber - Writings by Jabir, Geber - Translated work of Jabir

Read more here: » Geber: Encyclopedia II - Geber - Biography