In the library of Aziz Billa Al Fatimi in Cairo, there were 1,060,000 books. Among these books, there were 6,000 volumes on Mathematics and 10,000 on Philosophy. This most precious heritage was the target of the West, particularly of the Orientalists, in order to destroy the Islamic world and build Europe. For the same purpose, they transferred Islamic cultural heritage in two ways: the old way and the new way. The old way had two sub-ways: the decline of Muslim rule in Spain, Sicily, the Southern part of Italy and the Balkans on one hand, and on the other hand, the crusade wars.
Moreover, after the capture of Muslim heritage, the Western forces destroyed religious books on the spot and transferred science and philosophy books to their own libraries. When Grenada, the last refuge of Spanish Muslims, was taken in 1511 A.D. by the Spanish army, Cardinal K. C. Milenz ordered the burning of all the Arabic religious books, and his order was implemented at the Baab-e-Rahlat. According to the opinions of famous historians, 1,070,000 books were burnt in that place and we can guess how big heritage of the Muslims was destroyed in the whole of Spain.
During the crusade, when crusaders occupied Palestine and Syria, they took hold of libraries of Tripoli, Quds, As-Qalaan, Gaza and Moarrah, and burnt all Islamic religious books. According to historians, in Tripoli alone, the number of books burnt was 3 million! When the Rumanian monarch, Shark V invaded Tunisia, his army burnt all the Arabic books.
Dear reader! Let us reveal the modern way of the transference of Islamic heritage to Europe, by the Orientalists and their followers. This modern way too has sub-ways, three in all: the establishment of Western colonies in Islamic and Eastern countries, the archaeological researches and surveys and the individual and collective theft through the Orientalists and the colonial administrators. All these ways are edifying examples of how the Islamic heritage was plundered. It was an organized and well-planned theft of a nation, by a nation. In order to get the desired heritage, they used all possible foul means such as gifts, cultural exchange, military and economic support, and even exploited the hunger and miseries of those people in order to acquire the heritage at very low price. During the colonial period, an endless chain of archaeological excavation took place headed by Orientalists and priceless treasures were transferred. They had an unlimited liberty to do whatever they deemed fit under the patronage of the colonial power. Whatever names one may give to such shameful undertakings, the fact remains the same, that it was cheer theft on an international scale!
Dear reader, here are few examples of these individual and collective robberies:
Ø Oriental Bocok stayed for about five years in Aleypo, Syria and Astaan, Istanbul, and he collected, during that very period, a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts and transferred same to England. This collection still exists in Bodleian library of Oxford University.
Ø In the Library of India office in London, there are a huge number of precious Islamic books written in Arabic, Persian, and Indian languages, which were stolen during the colonial rule. This library was extended in 1857 in the same year that Delhi was taken by the English, after the famous mutiny of India. Undoubtedly, that was no coincidence at all! The extension of the library of India office was due to the fact that room had to be made for the great number of stolen Islamic books after the fall of Delhi.
Ø In Germany, there are many libraries which contain a large number of Islamic manuscripts like in Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Heidelberg, etc. Orientalist Alward prepared a bibliography of Berlin library, and the Arabic manuscripts were listed in ten big volumes!
Ø In Petersburg Library, there are thousands of Arabic manuscripts which were looted by Russian imperialists during their invasion of Balkan and Turkistan.
Ø Laden University appointed a Dutch orientalist, Julius, to collect Arabic manuscripts from the Islamic world. For that purpose, the Laden University allotted a huge amount of money. What had been collected still exist in Laden University.
Ø Famous Italian Orientalist, Gabriella, stated that Arabic manuscripts exist in 118 libraries of 59 cities in Italy!
These are just few examples!
Dear reader, there is a very great confusion even among the Muslim Intellectuals, about the Orientalists’ works and their real value. Many of us believe that Orientalists have saved our intellectual heritage and brought it into daylight. We consider the Orientalists’ works as great service to Islamic culture and civilization. There are even a number of our professors and scholars who believe that without the works of the Orientalists, Islam could have become just a legend in the course of time. Actually, some of them are unaware, and others fear they may be considered as backward if they do not glorify the Orientalist contribution. “It is quite strange to see a nation like ours being thankful to someone who has stolen his documents, and praises him only for the fact that the thief has saved her precious documents and provided her with photocopies of some documents!” In fact, Orientalists’ works are not at all praiseworthy both quantity and quality wise. The assumption that Orientalists have done a great job in editing and publishing Muslim manuscripts is baseless. The reason behind this misunderstanding is due to the inferiority complex of our so-called intellectuals. There are also other reasons: (1) the well-organized way of Orientalists’ works and activities; (2) their close relationship with universities; (3) the widespread publicity of their works by the media; (4) the ready patronage by their governments; (5) the well-planned and frequent Orientalist conferences.
Hence, we come to know that Orientalists’ contribution through editing, publishing and distributing is about 10% only. Quantity-wise, such is the actual position of their work. If we examine the quality of their work, we will find that whatever they have done, it was for a certain purpose but not for the service of Islam or knowledge. Therefore, we can say that the contribution of Orientalists is not only negligible but it is also harmful and blameworthy. If there is any aspect of service, it is only the service towards the church and Western power!
(c) Muhyid-Deen IMAAM