The Representation of Hinduism in Arabic Literature: A Critical and Analytical Study

الدراسة الأدبية العربية حول الديانة الهندوسية قراءة تحليلية نقدية

Abstract

This research investigates the representation of Hinduism in Arabic literary texts from the early Islamic period to contemporary times. It aims to understand how Arabic writers—ranging from classical travelers and historians to poets and Sufi scholars—perceived and portrayed Hindu religious thought, rituals, and symbols. The study focuses on key figures such as al-Bīrūnī, al-Masʿūdī, and other notable Muslim scholars who documented their encounters with Indian religious traditions. These early sources provide valuable insights into cross-cultural understanding as well as instances of stereotyping and misinterpretation. The paper also explores how modern Arabic literary criticism has revisited these portrayals in light of contemporary theoretical frameworks, including Edward Said’s Orientalism and postcolonial cultural studies. Through close textual analysis, the study examines the tone, accuracy, and ideological motives behind these depictions, revealing a dynamic interplay between reverence, curiosity, misunderstanding, and cultural dominance. The goal is to critically assess the intellectual and literary legacy of Arabic writings on Hinduism, and to understand how these portrayals contributed to the broader discourse on religious otherness in Islamic and Arab thought. This research contributes to interfaith dialogue, comparative religion, and Arabic literary studies by offering a nuanced account of how Hinduism has historically been perceived through the lens of Arabic literature. Ultimately, it highlights the importance of critical scholarship in revisiting and reassessing intercultural narratives shaped by religion, politics, and intellectual engagement.