P.N. Oaks

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>From Our World, Vedic Heritage, page 631:

 

Note of Caution

 

Here, however, we wish to sound a note of great caution for the

guidance of all lovers of history. The chauvinistic claim that the

founding of Islam led to a great revival of art and learning must

never be accepted at its face value. In fact the establishment of

Islam led to the extinguishing of lights of knowledge and culture and

plunging the world into the abyssmal morass of crime and ignorance.

Islam holds a record of rape and slaughter of educational

establishments and the pillaging and burning of all libraries

throughout the world on the plea that nothing except the Koran ought

to be allowed to survive. The Arab sword having tasted blood and

being busy in loot, the Arabs had no time, patience or aptitude to

learn anything from the people they raped, robbed and killed. Does a

robber, rapist, massacrer and murderer ever seek tuition from his

victims ? And is the victim in any mood and position to impart

profound knowledge to his tormentor ? Does not a robber laugh in

derision at the erudition of his victims since his illiterate sword

is able to turn their scholarly heads into minced meat? Are not

Muslims among the most backward, and illiterate inartistic people of

the world even though they have been forced to take to peaceful

professions for the last two centuries ? Therefore, all those

concerned with history must realize that Arab translations and

learning of Sanskrit texts belong to the pre-Muslim era. Muslim

writers have deftly ascribed them to the Muslim era. This is only one

kind of forgery and fraudulance but Muslim history is replete with

innumerable such falsifications. Harun-alRashid's enlightened outlook

may be a total Muslim fiction which needs to be thoroughly

investigated. He may even be a fictitious character.

Abu Umar Jahizof Basra (who died around 868 A.D.) has recorded in his

chronicle titled 'Risalt-i-Fakharussaudan' al al-Baidan "l have found

the Indian people extremely advanced in astrology and

mathematics ......... they occupy a prominent position in the field

of medical science and can cure serious ailments. They are experts at

carving stone figures and make co/our decorations on building arches.

They are inventors of chess which is one of the best intellectual

sports. Their swords are very sharp and they are experts in

swordsm3nship. Their mantras can neutralize poisons."

Siddiqi's article states that the Arabs learnt the decimal system and

every branch of mathematics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry and

trigonometry from Indians.