AL-BĪRŪNĪ, SULṬĀN MAḤMŪD AL-GHAZNAWĪ AND ISLAMIC UNIVERSALISM: THE HISTORICALCONTEXT

Abstract

By referring to certain politico-economic factors as a means to justify his work, this paper argues that al-Bīrūnī’s framing of his Taḥqīq mā li al-Hind (AlBeruni’s India) was a religious interpretation of the events   surrounding   Sultan Maḥmūd al-Ghaznawī Somanāth campaign  and  does  not  bear  in  mind  the  broader   canvas  of Muslim-Hindu relations. This is argued by the fact that  al-Bīrūnī’s the  only  sustained  reference  to  Sultan Maḥmūd is the Taḥqīq in reference to his decisions pertaining to the destruction, looting, and subsequent humiliation of the Somanāth linga. Al-Bīrūnī’s claim of Maḥmūd’s destruction of Hindu economic prosperity, his heavy handed  treatment  of  Hindus,  and  the  profound  Hindu  hatred  of Muslims all seem to be consequences resulting from the events that transpired on the Somanāth campaign, as opposed to a more general appreciation of Muslim-Hindu relations. Moreover, the paper argues that al-Bīrūnī’s interpretation of these events in this manner must be understood in  reference  to  the  intended  purpose  of  the Taḥqīq, namely a treatise aimed at promoting meaningful and sophisticated Muslim-Hindu engagement based on a tacit acknowledgement and subtle propagation of Islam’s universalistic assumptions. This interpretation of al-Bīrūnī explains why he chose to ignore the many existing platforms upon which Muslims and Hindus appeared to have developed working relationships. This paper brings to light various Muslim-Hindu relationships to ensure al-Bīrūnī is not misunderstood and that his framing of Maḥmūd should not be generalised to all forms of   Muslim-Hindu   engagement.   Rather,   al-Bīrūnī was concerned  with  the  meaningful  advancement  of   Muslim-Hindu relations for which he chose to focus on  representing Islam as a somewhat open religious and intellectual framework to appropriate various  aspects  of  Hindu  learning.  It  is  in  this  manner  that  the universalism of Islam is emphasised.