Here is more evidence that the word Hindu or Hendu was used in the religious connotation of today as early as the 11th century. This is a translated quote from Abu Rayhan Biruni (also called Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni or Alberonius):
QUOTE As the word of confession, "There is no god but God, Muhammad is his prophet," is the shibboleth of Islam, the Trinity that of Christianity, and the institute of the Sabbath that of Judaism, so metempsychosis is the shibboleth of the Hindu religion. Therefore he who does not believe in it does not belong to them, and is not reckoned as one of them. UNQUOTE ...... Al Biruni in the year 1030 C.E. in "Ketāb taḥqīq mā le’l-Hend men maqūla maqbūla fi’l-ʿaql aw marḏūla" (The book confirming what pertains to India, whether rational or despicable) also written as Kitab taḥqīq mā li-l-hind min maqūlah maqbūlah fī al-ʿaql aw mardhūlah (The book verifying all that the Indians recount, the reasonable and the unreasonable). The word Hindu or Hendu appears in many places in the text describing the religious beliefs and practices of these people. The specific quote that appears to have been translated as "metempsychosis is the shibboleth of the Hindu religion" is the following: QUOTE al-tanāsoḵ ʿelm al-neḥla al-hendawīya UNQUOTE ....Al Biruni in 1030 C.E. Cheers, Santosh ***************************************************************** No offense meant. But let the chips fall where they may. *****************************************************************
