Why Did the Arabs Not Translate Chinese Thought in Their Golden Age?

Abstract

Abstract This research deals with the image of China in the cultural heritage of the Arabs, especially in the writings of famous Arab authors such as Said al-Andalusi, Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi, Ibn al-Muqaffa’, Al-Jahiz, Ibn al-Nadim and others. It was found that these writings did not mention Chinese thought, and the absence of Chinese thought can be seen as a black hole in the Arab heritage, despite the richness and depth of ancient Chinese thought. The researcher believed that the ancient Arabs did not know Chinese thought, nor did they learn about it through the Chinese language directly, so they concluded that it “did not exist”, and this imaginary non-existence contributed to this deep black hole. However, the situation has changed since the 21st century, when we find increasing direct exposure to Chinese culture, thanks to the increase in cultural exchanges between China and the Arab world, and the steady growth in all fields in Sino-Arab relations.