What Is in a Number?

A quiet revolution is takingplace in the Arabic language; it is fast
losing the character set used to represent numbers. Arabs gave the
Arabic numerals to the world, thereby making the tremendous advances
in mathematics and science possible. But today they are giving themup
in favor of the Europeanones.
The Arab contribution was the symbols for numbers one through nine,
the concept of and the symbol for zero, and the idea of the place
value of numbersthat made it possible to write all numbers, no matter
how big or small, using these ten symbols alone. All of these remain
valid today and are the essential elements of the Arabic numbering
system. However the symbols themselves changed upon their arrival in
Europe. While the European numerals are Arabic in theirgenesis, their
shapes are not the same as those of the Arabic numerals that have been
used for centuries in the Arabic world.
First it was the newspapers, magazines, and web sites. Then textbooks.
And now even the religious books --- the last refuge of the historic
numerals --- are slowly giving way to the European onslaught. There
are notable exceptions but the general trend is very clear.
The same is true of Urdu. Its numerals, which are thesame as the
Arabic ones (with the exception of 4 and 7), have rapidly joined the
endangered species list.Today they are absent from all printed matter
in mass circulation. In religious books one finds a hodgepodge of the
Urdu and European symbols sitting uneasily next to each other,
symbolizing the confusion of the writers or publishers.
While Farsi is holding its ground better than either Arabic or Urdu,
signs of change are visible there as well.
The computers and the Internet, with their built in bias in favor of
English at the current state of their evolution, have a lot to do with
this cultural sea change. But there is also a misconception that the
European numerals are actually Arabic or that this is a change for the
better or at least that it does not matter.
In 1403 AH, the organization of senior ulama in Saudi Arabia, in
its21st congress (Riyadh, 17-28 Rabiul Akhir 1403) reviewed the then
emerging trend and passeda resolution addressing these misgivings. It
declared that changing Arabic numerals to the prevalent European ones
inArabic was not right. Among the reasons it cited were the following:
1. The claim that the presently used European numerals are the real
Arabic ones is neither well known nor true. Centuries of use give
legitimacy and authenticity to the Arabic symbols that are now being
replaced.
2. The change will have ill consequences as it is a stepin the
direction of Westernization of the Islamic society.
3. It is a reflection of the blind following of the West.
4. The Arabic numerals have been used in all written works for
centuries. If they are now replaced, it will handicap the new
generation in benefiting from this great treasure, and cut it off
fromits history.
A year later (1404 AH) the Islamic Fiqh Academy in Makkah reviewed the
issue and issued a fatwa fully supporting the resolution of the ulama.
It declared it impermissible to use the European symbols while writing
Arabic and warned about very serious consequences of this move.
Today the fears expressed by the Islamic Fiqh Academy can be seen in
stark reality. In Pakistan, people are not only using the new symbols
for writing, they are increasingly using English when expressing
numbers in words in everyday usage. (Example: "Yeh Jora aap ko four
seventy five main laga donga."). This Urdish language now evolving is
a seriously handicapped language thatcannot count, do math, express
colors, name an organization, or discuss politics, business or culture
without resorting to English. The resulting chaoshas not improved
their command of English, but it has seriously endangered their
language, culture, andcivilization.
A similar fate may await Arabic if steps are not taken to reverse the
trend. Writers and publishers in Urdu and Arabic need to pause,
reflect, and stop thismad rush into numerical disaster. Twenty years
laterthe call of the Islamic Fiqh Academy remains as relevant as ever.
And even more urgent.

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