A Review of Jaberian Alchemy, Iron and Steel Production Based on Kitāb al-Burhān fī Asrār ‘Ilm al-Mīzān (The Book of Proof of the Secrets of the Science of Balance)

Aydimīr ibn ʿAlī Jildakī's Kitāb al-Burhān fī Asrār ‘Ilm al-Mīzān is a commentary on Jābir ibn Ḥayyān's Kitāb al-Ḥadīd (“The Book of Iron”) in which Jābir talks about the nature of Iron and its reactions, ʿIlm al-Iksīr (the science of Elixir) and ʿIlm al-Mīzān (the science of the Balance), It also contains important descriptions of the production of Iron and Steel. Jildakī underlines that he follows the Jaberian literature in his work but he believes that the exposition of Jābir is non-argumentative and tries to rectify this defect. He mentions other alchemists: Ibn Umail, ʿIrāqī, Apollonius of Tyana (Balinas) and Ibn Arfaʿ and argues about Razi’s opinions. Jildakī notes Jābir’s method for measuring magnetic force of magnetic stones by the natural Balance. In addition, he presents a detailed description of the structure of the Compass and explains the magic properties of minerals and herbs and Talisman.