THE%20SINDH%20STORY

Mr. Malkani’s book is a book of history. History is essentially a story but whereas
a story can be written for entertainment which may often bear an inverse ratio to
the content of truth in it, history cannot afford such a contradiction. Every book
of history becomes a part of the mental furniture of the age it portrays. It must
bear the stamp of authenticity and where accuracy is not possible, the fault must
be disclosed. Moreover, however authentic a record of events it be, it is worse
than useless if it cannot convey the thoughts, emotions and motives of the actors
that made the events. This country has never been rich in its documentation of
events. The dominant tradition has been one of oral communication. To write the
story called history is not thus an easy task.
The Arab conquest of Sindh was a major event in the life of Sindh and Hind.
What manner of men were those who subjugated Sindh in the beginning of the
8th Century of the Christian era? Mohammed Bin Kasim and his soldiers were
authentic Arabs and not bad Muslims, certainly more humane and civilised than
those who followed in their wake some centuries later. They were strongly
monotheistic and fervently believed in the message of the Prophet who had
passed away earlier on June 7, 632 A.D. Reference to this miracle of the Arabian
desert is both relevant and revealing. With all his personal blemishes, somewhat
exaggerated by his detractors, the Prophet of Islam must rank as one of the giants
of history. He was deeply religious himself and his living habits must have made
a deep impression on his followers. He lived in austerity even after he had
achieved great prestige and even political power. His houses were invariably
cottages of un-burnt brick and the furniture no more than a mattress and a few
pillows spread upon the floor, He stitched his own clothes and often mended his
shoes, kindled the fire and swept the floor. He lived on dates and barley bread,
and only rarely allowed himself the luxury of taking milk and honey. He was
courteous and affable, dignified and indulgent. He tended the sick and joined
funeral processions of the humblest. He spent little upon his family, less upon
himself and much in charity. When he began, Arabia was a tribal desert. He left
it a strong nation.
The morality that he imposed was in its context, one of ruthless courage and
social pride. The local climate, however, produced sexual precocity and heat. His
laws were designed to reduce temptations outside of marriage and increase
opportunities within. That his own household consisted of ten wives and two
concubines, was a distinct improvement on the prevailing promiscuity of the age.
And while he lived, the Muslims had not secluded their women. The two sexes
exchanged visits, moved freely through the streets and prayed together in the
mosques. When the Prophet’s wife Aisha was asked why she never covered her
face, she answered: “Since Allah, May He remain blessed and exalted, has put
upon me the stamp of beauty it is my wish that the public should view that
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