On the left is a foot soldier carrying a sprinkling club and wearing fireproof clothing. The horse and mounted warrior in the center are also wearing fireproof clothing. The soldier on the right is carrying a naphtha flask and also wearing fire retardant clothing
This image displays three inventions from the Islamic world using gunpowder (from left to right). An incendiary arrow, bomb, and a gun propped on a stand.
and Invention
The origins of Islamic alchemy are from many parts of the Middle East and Africa such as Alexandria, Syria and Egypt. Inspiration from foreign alchemists fueled the discoveries by Islamic alchemists. As result, before trade brought gunpowder to the Islamic world, Arabs were already working with flammable substances such as naphtha, sulfur and petroleum. Through experimentation beginning in the 10th to 14th centuries Islamic alchemists became early forerunners of modern chemists.
Like Chinese alchemists, Islamic alchemists were in search for two things: a potion to change base metals into gold and an elixir to give endless youth. Saltpeter, sulfur, carbon and other flammable substances were key ingredients in the search for these mixtures. Although the specific mixture for gunpowder was discovered, Islamic alchemists did stumble upon flammable or explosive compounds. Murda Ibn Ali (1193 CE) described the discovery of a fire resistant paint made from equal parts of powdered pots, red clay, scales of telline and salt. Murda's records prove that even though Muslims may not have invented gunpowder, they were acquainted with explosives at an early point.
If Islamic scientists had not been introduced to the Chinese discovery of gunpowder, they would most likely have discovered gunpowder themselves. Islamic scientists also incorporated gunpowder and flammable substances into their arsenals. Islamic engineers independently created a bamboo shoot reinforced with iron and charged with black powder in the year 1304 CE.