The contribution of Arabic alchemists to the history of alchemy is profound.

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The Arabic word al-kimiya (alchemy) refers to a substance able to transmute base metals into noble ones; it was a synonym for al-iksir (elixir); used in a more general sense, it referred to practices, such as the way of obtaining happiness or the way of obtaining richness or the way of touching hearts. 

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They excelled in the field of practical laboratory experience; Arabic alchemists discovered hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid soda  & potassium.  Even their language & words influenced chemistry: from the Arabic al-kohl comes alcohol, from the Arabic al-iksir comes elixir, from the Arabic al-inbiq we have alembic.

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They perfected the process of distillation, equipping their apparatuses with thermometers to better regulate heating.  They also discovered the solvent later known as aqua regia, a mixture of nitric & muriatic acids, which had a huge impact on later alchemy and chemistry.