The Alchemical Art

Ibn al-Nadim devotes the tenth treatise of the Fihrist to the reports of the alchemists and the artisans of the craft, and in it he transmits what the practitioners of the craft claimed about the origin of their science. ²

He transmits that the practitioners of the craft claimed that the first to speak on the science of the craft was Hermes the Babylonian sage, who moved to Egypt when people separated from Babylon, and that he was king of Egypt. One group said that this was by revelation from God to a group of practitioners of the craft. Others said it was by revelation to Moses and Aaron, and that the one who took charge of it was Korah. ²

Abu Bakr al-Razi claimed that the knowledge of the philosopher is not valid, and a man is not called a philosopher, unless he has valid knowledge of the craft of alchemy. He claimed that a group of philosophers, such as Pythagoras, Democritus, Plato, Aristotle, and Galen, practised the craft. ³

These are claims transmitted from their adherents, and they need a further source.