There is a theory current among some educated people which says that the Arabic numerals in their current form (?-?-?-?, etc.) are actually Indian numerals, and that the European numerals (1-2-3-4, etc.) are the original Arabic numerals. This conclusion leads them a step further, so that they call for the use of the European form of numerals in Arab countries, supporting their demand with the fact that the European numerals are used in calculations and dealings with foreign states and institutions which have come to have a great deal of influence on the economic and social affairs of Arab countries. They also refer to the appearance of calculators and computers which only use these numerals, and this – they claim – makes the use of European numerals in Arab countries something to be desired, if not unavoidable. What do you think?
Praise be to Allah.It is not permissible to change the Arabic numerals which are currently
in use and replace them with the numerals used in the western world, for the following
reasons:
Firstly: there is no proof of what the advocates of change say about
the numerals used in the West being Arabic numerals. What is known is something other than
that, as is proven by reality and the fact that for centuries the current numerals were
used in different circumstances and different fields, which makes them Arabic. There are
words in the Arabic language which were not originally Arabic, but they became part of the
Arabic language through usage, to the extent that some of these words are to be found in
the Qur’aan; these words are described as Arabized.
Secondly: this idea has bad consequences and harmful effects, because
it is a step towards the gradual Westernization of Islamic societies.
Thirdly: it paves the way for changing the Arabic script and using
Latin script instead of Arabic, even in the long run.
Fourthly: it is an aspect of imitating the West and approving of its
ways.
Fifthly: all the copies of the Qur’aan (masaahif), books of
Tafseer, Arabic dictionaries and other books use the current Arabic numerals in numbering
their pages etc., and in referring to other sources. All these books represent a vast
store of knowledge. If the foreign numerals are used instead, this will make it very
difficult for the coming generation to access this vast store of knowledge.
Sixthly: It is not necessary to follow certain Arab countries which are
accustomed to using these European numerals. Many of these countries have also abolished
something even more important, which is ruling according to the whole sharee’ah of
Allaah, which is the source of honour, power and happiness in this world and the next, so
what they (those countries) have done is nothing to go by.