Stories from Early Islam — Page 191
191 In chemistry they had great success, they discovered many new chemicals e. g. : alcohol, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid. The greatest of all Arab chemists was Jaabir bin Hayyaan (Geber). Some of his discoveries formed the basis of European studies as late as the 18th century. The Muslim scientists of that time applied the knowledge of chemistry to agriculture. They knew the use of fertilizers and crop rotation. Their contribution to metallurgy and ceramics was enormous. Their steel made the name of Toledo and Damascus famous. They also produced the finest kind of leather. Another great Muslim contribution to the cause of learning was the manufacture of paper, the art of which they learnt from the Chinese perhaps, but perfected it to a great degree. The first paper plant was established in Baghdad towards the end of the 8th century. (A. H. ) They had a great love for literature and books. They estab- lished many universities for higher education. Some of them had a worldwide reputation. The universities of Cordova and Toledo in Spain were very popular and attracted scholars from the civilised world of that day. The Muslim scholars not only produced great works of sci- ence and arts of their own, but also translated the ancient works of Greek, Indian and Persian philosophy and medicine into Arabic. Thus the Muslim cities became the centres of learn- ing and knowledge, and the scholars streamed to these centres from everywhere. As long as the Muslim adhered to the teachings of the Holy Book, they prospered and the whole world looked to them for