While the later Europeans thought that Phlogiston was added to materials when they burned, Jabir correctly understood that energy of a burning material was released, leaving incombustible ash behind.
Wakati watu wa Ulaya wa baadaye walidhani kuwa Phlogiston iliongezwa kwenye vitu vilipounguzwa, lakini Jabir alielewa kwa usahihi kwamba nguvu ya vitu vilivyoungua ilikuwa ikitoka, na kuacha mabaki ya majivu yasiyounguzika.