Arabic numerals vs. European numerals
Question

                There is a theory current among some educated people which says that the Arabic numerals in their current form (?-?-?-?, etc.)
 are actually Indian numerals, and that the European numerals (1-2-3-4, etc.) are the original Arabic numerals. This conclusion leads them a step further, so that they call for the use of the European form of numerals in Arab countries, supporting their demand with the fact that the European numerals are used in calculations and dealings with foreign states and institutions which have come to have a great deal of influence on the economic and social affairs of Arab countries. They also refer to the appearance of calculators and      computers which only use these numerals, and this – they claim – makes the use of European numerals in Arab countries something to be desired, if not unavoidable. What do you think?
Praise be to Allah.It is not permissible to change the Arabic numerals which are currently
    in use and replace them with the numerals used in the western world, for the following
    reasons:
Firstly: there is no proof of what the advocates of change say about
    the numerals used in the West being Arabic numerals. What is known is something other than
    that, as is proven by reality and the fact that for centuries the current numerals were
    used in different circumstances and different fields, which makes them Arabic. There are
    words in the Arabic language which were not originally Arabic, but they became part of the
    Arabic language through usage, to the extent that some of these words are to be found in
    the Qur’aan; these words are described as Arabized.
Secondly: this idea has bad consequences and harmful effects, because
    it is a step towards the gradual Westernization of Islamic societies.
Thirdly: it paves the way for changing the Arabic script and using
    Latin script instead of Arabic, even in the long run.
Fourthly: it is an aspect of imitating the West and approving of its
    ways.
Fifthly: all the copies of the Qur’aan (masaahif), books of
    Tafseer, Arabic dictionaries and other books use the current Arabic numerals in numbering
    their pages etc., and in referring to other sources. All these books represent a vast
    store of knowledge. If the foreign numerals are used instead, this will make it very
    difficult for the coming generation to access this vast store of knowledge.
Sixthly: It is not necessary to follow certain Arab countries which are
    accustomed to using these European numerals. Many of these countries have also abolished
    something even more important, which is ruling according to the whole sharee’ah of
    Allaah, which is the source of honour, power and happiness in this world and the next, so
    what they (those countries) have done is nothing to go by.