The Truth of the Burning of the Library of Alexandria (Hazrat Maulana Abdul Karim sahib’s (ra) Narration)

In Tasdiq Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Karim Sahib (ra) has also written a note in reply to this allegation. He writes:

“It is true that until a time when this incident had not been investigated and the actual events had not come to light, this allegation was levelled against the Muslims. However, today, there are very few scholars who are just and adhere to the truth and still level this allegation against the Muslims. This allegation is mainly levelled owing to prejudice or being ignorant of the events. And even when this allegation was raised, they had no proof, i.e. regarding the ones who fabricated this incident were two historians born some 580 years after this alleged incident took place, who did not have any previous source. Saint Croix, who has written countless books about the libraries of Alexandria, has outright rejected this incident to be false. It seems that these books were burnt during a battle with Julius Caesar. Thus, Plutarch writes in Life of Caesar, that fearing being captured by the enemy, Julius Caesar burnt his boats. This fire spread to the extent that it burnt down the great library of Alexandria.”

In his book, Dictionary Relating to All Ages, Haydn has not only rejected this incident, but has also written a note:

“This incident is highly doubtful. The Muslims have not accepted this narration in which Hazrat Umar (ra) is reported to have ordered the burning of all books that were contrary to Islam. Some have attributed this incident to Theophilus of Alexandria, who lived around 391 C.E. and others have attributed this to Cardinal Jimenez, who lived around the 15th century CE”.

Haydn further writes, “Our distinguished personality, Dr Leitner has mentioned this erroneous account in his book Sinnin Al-Islam, and regrettably the honourable doctor has erred in his research.”

In his famous book, John William Draper has mentioned this incident with the false narrators, but later he accepts that this incident was fabricated. He writes:

“In truth, these books were burnt during a battle with Julius Caesar. Now it can be said with full conviction that this incident is baseless and a mere tale. If there is an incident worth lamenting over, then that would be the true incident in which the bigoted Cardinal Jimenez, burnt 80,000 Arabic manuscripts in the plains of Granada.” When the Christians took control of Spain from the Muslims, they burned 80,000 books from the Library of Granada. This is something to truly lament over, as opposed to raising allegations against Islam. “See [History of the] Conflict Between Religion & Science where this reference can be found”.

(Tasdiq Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 1, p. 203, footnote)

Nonetheless, this was the incident about the burning of the library on which allegations are raised.