Transnationalism in Abureyhan-e- Biruni’s Works

Abureyhan-e-Biruni was a scholar, mathematician, astronomer, and was aware of historic and social issues of his time. He was born in Biroon of Kharazm in the mid Fourth Century AH. In spite of his engagement in the politics of Kharazm Shah’s court and his mandate as an astronomer to Sultan Mahmood’s court, he did not forego his critical way of thinking about social and philosophical issues. The publication of a number of philosophical and social treaties is a testament to his inclination towards such thinking, and also attests to his congenital excogitation. On the one hand, research on his life and works can shed light upon the critical genius which Biruni expressed through his reliance upon his individualized renditions of moral dictums. On the other hand, many scholars believe that one needs to keep Biruni’s biography out of academic and scholarly discussions, and should only concentrate on his works. In A Critical Study of What India Says, Whether Accepted by Reason or Refused, Biruni represented himself as a disinterested free thinker and transnationalist1 . There is no doubt that the Holy Quran and Islamic beliefs have played a key part in developing these characteristics in Biruni. Through reviewing A Critical Study of What India Says, Whether Accepted by Reason or Refused, The present study identifies the textual evidence of freethinking and transnationalist affinities in Biruni’s critical view points.