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9 November 2011

We are not supposed to worship so called GOD in Human form...!


GOD WILL NOT AND DOES NOT TAKE HUMAN FORM:
a. God cannot do everything:
Some people may argue that God can do everything, then why can he not take
human form? If God were to take human form, then He would no longer remain
God because the qualities of God and the qualities of human beings are different.
(i) God is immortal. Human beings are mortal.
God is immortal; human beings are mortal. You cannot have a ‘God-man’ i.e.
an immortal and mortal being at the same time. It is meaningless.
God does not have a beginning. Human beings have a beginning. You cannot
have a person, who does not have a beginning and yet at the same time
having a beginning.
God has no end. Humans have an end. You can’t have an entity that has no
end and still have an end at the same time. It is meaningless.
(ii) God does not require to eat:
Almighty God does not require to eat. Human beings need to eat. The
Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Anam:
And He it is that
Feeds but is not fed.
(Al Qur’an 6:14)
(iii) God does not require rest and sleep:
God does not require rest. Human beings require rest. God does not require
sleep. Human beings require sleep. The Glorious Qur’an says in Ayatul Kursi:
Allah! There is no god
But He – the Living,
The Self-subsisting, Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him; nor sleep.
His are all things in the heavens and on earth.
(Al Qur’an 2:255)
b. Worshipping another human being is useless:
If God takes human form, he would cease to be god and it is useless to
worship a human being, e.g. suppose that I am a student of a very intelligent
teacher and I regularly take his guidance and help in my studies. If
unfortunately, my teacher meets with an accident and has amnesia i.e. an unrepairable
loss of memory, it will be foolish of me to yet seek guidance and
help in my studies from him. Because this person no longer has the expertise
after the transformation of his memory due to the accident. In a similar
fashion how can a human being worship and ask for divine help from a god
who has given up his divine qualities and has transformed himself into a
human being like you and I? If a person can worship a human being then why
not others worship you and also worship so many humans around us?
c. Human beings cannot become God:
So an entity cannot be both: God and a human at the same time. For if God
retains His divine powers then He is not a human because humans do not
have divine powers. And if God were to become a mortal which is a human
quality, then he is no longer God, for God is immortal.
Later on that same human being cannot become God, because it is not
possible for human beings to become God. If it was so, you and I too would
become God and attain divine powers.
That is the reason why God will never take or rather cannot take human form.
The Qur’an speaks against all forms of anthropomorphism. Anthropomorphism is
illogical.
d. God will not do ungodly things:
Islam does not say that God can do anything. Islam says that God has power
over all things. Let us understand this with the help of some examples of matters
that God cannot do simply because He is Divine.
(i) God will not tell a lie:
God only does Godly things; He does not do ungodly things. God cannot tell a
lie. He cannot even have a desire to lie or to make a false statement. God will
never, and can never tell a lie because to tell a lie is an ungodly act. The
moment God tells a lie, He will cease to be God.
(ii) God will not do any injustice:
God cannot do injustice nor can He even harbour a desire to do an unjust act or
take an unjust decision. He will not do it and He cannot do so because being
unjust is an ungodly act. The Qur’an says:
“Allah is never unjust in the least degree.”
(Al Qur’an 4:40)
The moment God does injustice He ceases to be God. Please realize that
God cannot be God and not-God at the same time!!! He cannot have divine
qualities as a Creator, and yet have the mortal qualities and attributes of His
Creation.
(iii) God will not make a mistake
Perfection is a quality only of the Creator. His creation can never ever achieve
this quality. We can only try to continually improve and excel but we can
never ever be perfect.
Hence, can God ever make a mistake? He will never make a mistake. He
cannot make a mistake. To err is human. Making a mistake is an ungodly act.
Qur’an says, “…My lord never errs.” (Al Qur’an 20:52)
Assuming without accepting that God was to commit a mistake, the moment
God makes a mistake He ceases to be God.
(iv) God will not forget:
God will not forget because forgetting is an ungodly act. Qur’an says, “…My
lord never errs, nor forgets.” (Al Qur’an 20:52)
The moment God forgets he ceases to be god.
e. God only does Godly things
i. Allah has power over all things
The Glorious Qur’an says in several places:
“for verily Allah has power over all things”
This same statement of Divine Wisdom is emphasized for our understanding in:
Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 106;
and again in:
In Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 109
In Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 284
In Surah Ale Imran chapter 3 verse 29
In Surah Nahl chapter 16 verse 77
In Surah Fatir chapter 35 verse 1
ii. Allah is the doer of all, all He intends :
The Glorious Qur’an says,
“Allah is the doer of all he intends.”
(Al Qur’an 85:16)
And by now I am sure you will yourself admit in all humility and sincerity that God
only intends Godly things – not unGodly things.
By ascribing human-like qualities of forgetting, of making mistakes, of getting
tired, of needing food, of getting jealous and the like – does one realize that one
is mocking God and committing blasphemy by ascribing such attributes to God?
Do you think we humans are in any way justified in attributing such human
qualities to God?
Is it not a better choice, and a truthful one at that, to state that our Creator is free
from all such blemishes that ignorant humans ascribe to Him?
For the Glorious Qur’an says:
Say: “Allah is free from all such things that they (unbelievers / polytheists)
ascribe to Him”.
Thus we have examined and highlighted similarities between the concept of
prophethood, and the attributes of God, in Islam and in Hinduism as mentioned in
their respective scriptures. In subsequent articles in the present series, we shall
study the similarities between the concept of life after death, fate & destiny and
worship in Islam and in Hinduism.
And all praises are for the One and Only God and Creator Allah, who alone is
worthy of devotion, complete submission and worship.

Hinduism is ordering the Hindus to follow the kalki avtar (NARA'SHANSA i.e. the one which is to be praised i.e. Prophet MUHAMMED p.b.u.h)


MUHAMMAD (PBUH) PROPHESIED IN HINDU SCRIPTURES:

a. Muhammad (pbuh) prophesied in Bhavishya Purana:
According to Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3,
Shalokas 5 to 8
“A Malechha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language)
spiritual teacher will appear with his companions, His name will be Mohammad.
Raja (Bhoj) after giving this Maha Dev Arab (of angelic disposition) a bath in the
‘panchgavya’ and the Ganges water (i.e. purging him of all sins) offered him the
presents of his sincere devotion and showing him all reverence said, “I make
obeisance to thee, ‘O ye! The pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, ye have
collected a great force to kill the devil and you yourself have been protected from
the malechha opponents”.
The Prophecy clearly states
(i) The name of the Prophet as Muhammad.
(ii) He will belong to Arabia; the Sanskrit word Marusthal means a sandy track
of land or a desert.
(iii) Special mention is made of the companions of the prophet i.e. the
Sahabas. No other Prophet had as many companions as Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh).
(iv) He is referred as the pride of mankind (Parbatis nath).
The Glorious Qur’an reconfirms:
“And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character”
(Al Qur’an 68:4)
‘Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct)’
(Al Qur’an 33:21)
(v) He will kill the devil i.e. abolish idol worship and all sorts of vices.
(vi) The prophet will be protected against his enemies.
Some people may argue that Raja Bhoj mentioned in the prophecy lived in the
11th century C.E.i.e. 500 years after the advent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
and that he was the descendant of the 10th generation of Raja Shalivahan. These
people fail to realize that there was not only one Raja of the name Bhoj. The
Egyptian Monarchs were called as Pharaohs and the Roman Kings were known
as Caesars. Similarly Indian Rajas were given the title of Bhoj. There were
several Raja Bhojs who came before the one in 11th Century C.E.
The prophet did not physically take a bath in Panch gavya and the water of
Ganges. Since the water of Ganges is considered holy, taking bath in the
Ganges is an idiom meaning washing away or making immune from all sorts of
sins. Here the prophecy implies that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sinless i.e.
‘maasoom’.
b. Muhammad (pbuh) prophesied in Bhavishya Purana:
According to Bhavishya Purana in the Pratisarag Parv III, Khand 3, Adhyay 3
Shalokas 10 to 27 Maharishi Vyas has prophesied:
“The Malechha have spoiled the well-known land of the Arabs. Arya Dharma is
not to be found in the country. Before also there appeared a misguided fiend
whom I had killed; he has now again appeared being sent by a powerful enemy.
To show these enemies the right path and to give them guidance the well-known
Mohamad (Mohammad) who has been given by me, the epithet of Brahma, is
busy in bringing the ‘Pishachas’ to the right path. O Raja, you need not go to the
land of the foolish Pishachas, you will be purified through my kindness even
where you are. At night, he of the angelic disposition, the shrewd man, in the
guise of a pischacha said to Raja Bhoj, O Raja! Your Arya Dharma has been
made to prevail over all religions, but according to the commandments of Ishwar
Parmatama, I shall enforce the strong creed of the meat eaters. My followers will
be men circumcised, without a tail (on his head), keeping beard, creating a
revolution announcing Adhan (call for prayer) and will be eating all lawful things.
He will eat all sorts of animals except swine. They will not seek purification from
the holy shrubs, but will be purified through warfare. On account of their fighting
the irreligious nations, they will be known as Musalmaans. I shall be the
originator of this religion of the meat-eating nation.”
The Prophecy states that
(i) The evildoers have corrupted the Arab land.
(ii) Arya Dharma is not found in that land.
(iii) The present enemies will be destroyed just as the previous enemies like
Abraha had perished. The Qur’an speaks about these sorts of previous enemies
in Surah Al Fil:
“Seest thou not how thy lord dealt with the
Companions of the elephant?
Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray?
And He sent against them flights of Birds
Striking them with stones of baked clay
Then did he make them like an empty field
Of stalk and straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up.
(Al Qur’an 105:1-5)
(iv) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been given the title Brahma to guide the
opponents of truth.
(vi) The Indian Raja need not go to Arab land since his purification will take
place in India after the Musalmaan will arise in India.
(vi) The coming Prophet will attest the truth of the Aryan faith i.e. Monotheism
and will reform the misguided people.
(vii) The Prophet’s followers will be circumcised. They will be without a tale on
their heads, they will keep beards and they will create a great revolution.
(viii) They will announce the adhan i.e. ‘call for prayer’.
(ix) He will only eat lawful things and animals, but will not eat pork. The
Qur’an confirms this in no less than 4 different places:
In Surah Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verse 173
In Surah Al-Maidah chapter 5 verse 3
In Surah Al-Anam chapter 6 verse 145
In Surah Al-Nahl Chapter 16 verse 115
“Forbidden for you for food are dead meat, blood, flesh of swine and that
on which had been invoked the name of other than Allah.
(x) They will not purify with grass like the Hindus, but by means of sword
they will fight the evil-doers.
(xi) They will be called Musalmaan.
(xii) They will be a meat-eating nation.
The Qur’an permits humans to eat herbivorous animals in Surah Maidah chapter
5 verse no. 1 and in Surah Mu’minoon chapter 23 verse 21
(xiii) Commentary
According to Bhavishya Purana Part – III, khand 1, Adhyay 3, shlokas 21-23
Corruption and persecution are in seven sacred cities of Kashi etc. India is
inhabited by Rakshas, Shabar, Bhil and other foolish people. In the land of
‘Malechhas’ the followers of the ‘Malechah dharma’ (Islam) are wise and brave
people. All good qualities are found in Musalmaans and all sorts of vices have
accumulated in the land of the Aryas. Islam will rule in India and its island.
Having known these facts O Meeni, glorify the name of the Lord”.
The Qur’an confirms:
“It is He who hath sent His messenger with guidance and
the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion,
even though the pagans may detest (it).
(Al Qur’an 9:33 and 61:9)
and a similar verse ends with:
‘And enough is Allah for a witness”.
(Al Qur’an 48:28)
c. Prophet Muhammad prophesied in Atharva Veda
In the 20th book of Atharva Veda Hymn-127, some Suktas (chapters) are known
as ‘kuntap sukt’. ‘Kuntap’ means ‘the consumer of misery and troubles', thus
meaning ‘the message of peace and safety’. This translated in Arabic means
Islam.
‘Kuntap’ also means hidden glands in the abdomen. These mantras are probably
called so because their true meaning was hidden and was to be revealed in
future. Its hidden meaning is also connected with the naval or the middle point of
the earth. Makkah is called the ‘ummul Qura’, or ‘the mother of the towns’ or ‘the
naval of the earth’ in many revealed books. It was the first house of worship of
the One God where Almighty God gave spiritual nourishment to the world. The
Glorious Qur’an says:
“The first House (of worship) appointed for men
was that at Bakka (Makkah) full of blessing
and of guidance for all kinds of beings.”
(Al Qur’an 3:96)
Another name for Makkah is Becca. Thus ‘kuntap’ stands for Makkah or Becca.
Several people like M. Bloom Field, Prof Ralph Griffith, Pandit Rajaram, Pandit
Khem Karan and others have translated these kuntap suktas. The main points
mentioned in the kuntap suktas in Atharvaved book XX Hymn 127 verses 1-13
are:
Mantra 1
He is narashansah or the praised one (Mohammad).
He is Kaurama the prince of peace or the emigrant, who is safe even amongst a
host of 60,090 enemies.
Mantra 2.
He is a camel-riding Rishi, whose chariot touches the heaven.
Mantra 3.
He is Mamah Rishi.
Mantra 4
Vachyesv rebh ‘Oh! Ye who glorifies.’
Mantra 14
We glorify or praise the great hero with a song of praise and a prayer. Please
accept this praise so that evil may not befall us.
(i) The Sanskrit word ‘Narashansah’ means ‘the praised one’ which is the literal
translation of the Arabic word Muhammad (pbuh).
The Sanskrit word ‘Kaurama’ means ‘one who spreads and promotes peace’.
The holy Prophet was the ‘prince of peace’ and he preached equality of human
kind and universal brotherhood. ‘Kaurama’ also means ‘an emigrant’. The
Prophet migrated from Makkah to Madeenah and was thus an emigrant.
(ii) He will be protected from 60,090 enemies, which was the population of
Makkah. The prophet would ride a camel. This clearly indicates that, it cannot be
an Indian Rishi since it is forbidden for a Brahman to ride a camel. According to
Manu Smriti chapter 11 verse 202 sacred books of the east, volume 25, Laws of
Manu pg. 472 “A Brahman is prohibited from riding a camel or an ass and to
bathe naked. He should purify himself by suppressing his breath”.
(iii) This mantra gave the Rishi name as Mamah. No Rishi in India or any other
prophet had this name. ‘Mamah’ is derived from ‘Mah’ which means to esteem
highly, or to revere, and to exalt. Some Sanskrit books give the prophet’s name
as ‘Mahamad’ but this word according to Sanskrit grammer can also be used in
the bad sense. It is incorrect to apply grammar to an Arabic word. Actually
Mamah has the same meaning and somewhat similar pronunciation as the word
Muhammad (pbuh).
d. Battle of the Allies described in the Vedas.
It is mentioned is Atharvaveda Book XX hymn 21, verse 6: “O Lord of the
truthful! These liberators drinks, these feats of bravery and the inspiring songs
gladdened thee in the field of battle. When thou renderst vanquished without
fight the ten thousand opponents of the praying one, the adoring one.”
(i) This Prophecy of the Veda describes the well-known battle of Ahzab or the
battle of the Allies during the time of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). The
Prophet was victorious without an actual conflict, which is mentioned in the
Qur’an:

Concept of GOD in Islam.


CONCEPT OF GOD IN ISLAM
The Qur’an too propounds monotheism. So you will find similarities between
Hinduism and Islam even in the concept of God.
a. SURAH IKHLAS WITH EXPLANATION
(i) Translation
As per Islam, the best and the most concise definition of God is given in Surah
Ikhlas of the Glorious Qur’an:
Say He is Allah,
The One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begets not,
Nor is He begotten;
And there is none
Like unto Him.
(Al Qur’an 112:1-4)
The word ‘assamad’ is difficult to translate. It means that absolute existence can
be attributed only to Allah, all other existence being temporal or conditional. It
also means Allah is not dependant on any person or thing but all persons and
things are dependent on Him.
It is the touch stone of Theology
Surah Ikhlas i.e. Chapter 112 of the Glorious Qur’an is the touchstone of
Theology. ‘Theo’ in Greek means God and ‘logy’ means study. Thus ‘Theology’
means study of God and Surah Ikhlas is the touchstone of the study of God.
If you want to purchase or sell your gold jewellery, you would first evaluate it.
Such an evaluation of gold jewellery is done by a goldsmith with the help of a
touchstone. He rubs the gold jewellery on the touch stone and compares its
colour with rubbing samples of gold. If it matches with 24 Karat gold he will tell
that your jewellery is 24 Karat pure Gold. If it is not high quality pure Gold, he will
tell you its value whether 22 Karats, 18 Karats or it may not be gold at all. It may
be fake because all that glitters is not gold.
Similarly Surah Ikhlas (Chapter 112 of the Qur’an) is the touchstone of theology,
which can verify whether the deity that you worship is a true God or a false God.
Thus, Surah Ikhlaas is a four-line definition of Almighty God according to the
Qur’an. If any one claims to be, or is believed to be Almighty God satisfies this
four-line definition, we Muslims will readily accept that deity as God. This Chapter
of the Glorious Qur’an, Surah Ikhlas, is the acid test. It is the ‘Furqan’ or the
criterion to judge between the one True God and false claimants to divinity.
Hence, whichever deity any human on earth worships, if such a deity fulfills the
criteria specified in this Chapter of the Qur’an, then this deity is worthy of worship
and is the One True God.
b. Is Bhagwan Rajneesh God ?
Some people say that Bhagwan Rajneesh or Osho Rajneesh is Almighty God.
Please note my words, I have stated that some people say that Bhagwan
Rajneesh is Almighty God. Once during a question-answer session there was a
Hindu gentleman who misunderstood my statement. He said that Hindus do not
worship Rajneesh as God. I am aware that Hinduism does not consider
Rajneesh to be God. Rajneesh has followers, who are converts to his philosophy
/ ideology, but who were originally followers of various different religions.
Let us put this candidate Bhagwan Rajneesh to the test of Divinity as prescribed
by Surah Ikhlaas, the touchstone of Divinity.
(i) The First Criterion is ‘Qul hu Allah hu ahad’ –‘say, He is Allah one and only’. Is
Rajneesh one and only? We know several such fake god-men and claimants of
divinity amongst humans. Several are found in our country, India. Rajneesh is
surely not one and only. Not as a human and not even as a human claimant to
godhood. However, some disciples of Rajneesh may still state that Rajneesh is
unique and that he is one and only.
(ii) Let us analyse the second criterion ‘Allah hus samad’– ‘Allah the Absolute &
‘Eternal’. Is Rajneesh absolute and eternal? We know from his biography that he
was suffering from diabetes, asthama, and chronic backache. He alleged that the
U.S.A. government gave him slow poisoning while he was in their jail. Imagine!
Almighty God being poisoned! Moreover, all are aware that Rajneesh died and
was cremated / buried. So Rajneesh was neither eternal, nor absolute
(iii) The third Criteria is ‘Lam ya lid wa lam yu lad’ – ‘He begets not, nor is
begotten’. However, Rajneesh was begotten. He was born in Jabalpur in India.
Like all humans, he too had a mother and a father. They later on become his
disciples.
Rajneesh was a very intelligent person. In May 1981 he went to U.S.A. He
established a town in Oregon and named it ‘Rajneeshpuram’. It seems that he
took America for a ride for the U.S. government arrested him and later deported
him out of America in 1985. So Rajneesh returned to India and started a
‘Rajneesh Neosanyas commune in Pune in India which was later renamed the
‘Osho commune’.
If you visit this ‘Osho commune’ in Pune you will find it written on his tombstone,
“Osho - never born, never died, only visited the planet earth between 11th Dec.
1931 to 19th Jan 1990”. They conveniently forget to mention on this tombstone
that Rajneesh was not given a visa for 21 different countries of the world.
Imagine Almighty God visiting the earth and requiring a visa! The Arch Bishop of
Greece had said that if Rajneesh was not deported they would burn his house
and those of his disciples.
(iv) The fourth test is so stringent that none besides the One True God, Allah
(swt), can pass it. ‘Wa lam ya kullahu kufuwan ahad’ which means, ‘there is none
like Him’. The moment you can imagine or compare the candidate or claimant to
godhood to anything, this candidate is not god. Neither can you have a mental
picture of God.
We know that Rajneesh was a human being. He had one head, two hands, two
feet, and a white flowing beard. The moment you can think or imagine what the
claimant to godhood is, he or she is not god.
Suppose someone says, “God is a thousand times as strong as Arnold
Schwarzenegger”. Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the strongest men on earth.
He was given the title ‘Mr. Universe’ in (the year). The moment you can compare
Almighty God to anything, whether it is a 1000 times stronger or a million times
stronger, whether it be Darasingh or Kingkong, the moment you can compare the
claimant to godhood to anything, he is not God. ‘Wa lam ya kul lahu kufwan
ahad’ ‘there is none like Him.’
c. ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
To Allah belong the most beautiful names:
(i) The Qur’an mentions in Surah Isra Chapter 17 Verse 110:
Say: “Call upon Allah, or
Call upon Rahman;
By whatever name ye call
Upon Him, (it is well):
For to Him belong
The Most Beautiful Names
(Al Qur’an 17:110)
You can call Allah by any name but that name should be beautiful and should not
conjure up a mental picture. The Qur’an gives no less than 99 different attributes
to Almighty God. Some of these are Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Al-Hakeem; Most
Gracious, Most Merciful and All Wise. 99 different names / attributes and the
crowning one, the hundredth one is Allah. The Qur’an repeats this message that
to Allah belong the most beautiful names in:
(i) Surah Al Aaraf Chapter 7 Verse 180
(ii) In Surah Taha Chapter 20 Verse 8
(iii) In Surah Al Hashr Chapter 59 Verse 23 & 24
d. NAME ALLAH PREFERED TO THE WORD ‘GOD’
The Muslims prefer calling Allah (swt) with His Name Allah, instead of the English
word ‘God’. The Arabic word Allah is pure and unique, unlike the English word
God which can be played around with.
If you add ‘s’ to God, it becomes ‘gods’ that is plural of God. Allah is one and
singular, there is no plural of Allah. If you add ‘dess’ to God, it becomes
‘goddess’ that is a female God. There is nothing like male Allah or female Allah.
Allah has no gender. If you add father to God, it becomes ‘godfather’. “He is my
Godfather” means that “he is my guardian”. There is nothing like Allah Abba or
Allah father in Islam. If you add mother to God it becomes ‘godmother, there is
nothing like Allah Ammi or Allah Mother in Islam. If you put tin before God, it
becomes tin god i.e. a fake God, there is nothing like-tin Allah or fake Allah in
Islam. Allah is a unique word, which does not conjure up any mental picture nor
can it be played around with. Hence, the Muslims prefer the name Allah when
referring to the Almighty Creator. But sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims
we may have to use the inappropriate word God for Allah.
Allah is mentioned by Name in Hindu Scriptures
The Word “Allah”, which refers to Almighty God in Arabic, is also mentioned in
Rigveda Book 2 hymn 1 verse 11
Rigveda Book 3 hymn 30 verse 10
Rigveda Book 9 hymn 67 verse 30
There is an Upanishad by the name ALO Upanishad.
IIA. THE CONCEPT OF GOD IN ISLAM
We had earlier stated that as per Islam the best and the most concise definition
of God is as given in Surah Ikhlas of the Glorious Qur’an:
Say He is Allah,
The One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begets not,
Nor is He begotten;
And there is none
Like unto Him.
(Al Qur’an 112:1-4)
i. Similar Verses in Hindu Scriptues
There are several passages in the Hindu Scriptures, which have the same or
similar meaning as Surah Ikhlas.
1. Say: He is Allah, The One and Only.
(Al Qur’an 112:1)
It has a meaning which is very similar to:
“Ekam Evadvitiyam”
“He is only one without a second.”
(Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1)
2. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.
He begetteth not,
Nor is He begotten;
(Al Qur’an 112:2-3)
It has similar meaning as:
“He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginning-less, as the Supreme Lord of
all the Worlds.”
(Bhagvad Gita 10:3)
and “Of (check – or For Him?) Him there is neither parents nor Lord.”
(Shwetashvatara Upanishad 6:9)
3. And there is none
Like unto Him.
(Al Qur’an 112:4)
A similar message is given in Shwetashvatara Upanishad & Yajurveda:
“Na Tasya pratima asti”
“There is no likeness of Him.”
(Shwetashvatara Upanishad 4:19 & Yajurveda 32:3)
Remember, the Brahma Sutra of Hindu Vedanta is:
‘Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan”
“Bhagwan ek hi hai dusara nahi hai, nahi hai, nahi hai, zara bhi nahi hai”.
“There is only one God, not the second, not at all, not at all, not in the least bit”.

Concept of GOD in Hinduism.


a. COMMON CONCEPT OF GOD IN HINDUISM :
If you ask some lay persons who are Hindus that how many gods do they
believe in, some may say three, some may say thirty-three, some may say a
thousand, while some may say thirty-three crores i.e. 330 million. But if you
ask this question to a learned Hindu who is well versed with the Hindu
Scriptures, he will reply that the Hindus should actually believe and worship
only one God.

b. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND HINDUISM IS THAT OF ’S
(Everything is ‘God’s’ – Everything is ‘God’)
The major difference between the Hindu and the Muslim is that while the
common Hindu believes in the philosophy of Pantheism, i.e. “everything is
God, the Tree is God, the Sun is God, the Moon is God, the Snake is God, the
Monkey is God, the Human Being is God”, all Muslims believe that “everything
is God’s”.
The Muslims believe that everything is God’s. GOD with an apostrophe’s’.
Everything belongs to the one and only unique eternal God. The tree belongs
to God, the sun belongs to God, the moon belongs to God, the snake belongs
to God, monkey belongs to God, the human being belongs to God.
Thus the major difference between the Hindus and the Muslims is the
apostrophe ‘s’. The Hindu says, “everything is GOD”. The Muslim says,
“everything is God’s”, GOD with an Apostrophe ‘s’. If we can solve the
difference of the Apostrophe ‘s’, the Hindus and the Muslims will be united.
The Glorious Qur’an says
“Come to common terms as between us and you”,
Which is the first term?
“that we worship none but Allah”
So let’s come to common terms by analyzing the scriptures of the Hindus and
of the Muslims.
UPANISHAD:
Upanishads are one of the sacred Scriptures of the Hindus.
i. Chandogya Upanishad Chapter 6 Section 2 verse 1
It is mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad:
“Ekam Evadvitiyam”
“He is one only without a second.”
(Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1)
(The Principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan pg. 447 & 448)
(Sacred Books of the East Volume 1, the Upanishads Part I Page 93)
ii. Shwetashvatara Upanishad Chapter 6 verse 9
It is mentioned in the Shwetashvatara Upanishad
“Nacasya kascij janita na cadhipah”
“Of Him there are neither parents nor Lord.”
(Shwetashvatara Upanishad 6:9)
(The Principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan pg. 745)
(and in Sacred books of the East volume 15, the Upanishads Part II Page 263)
iii. Shwetashvatara Upanishad Chapter 4 verse 19
It is mentioned in Shwetashvatara Upanishad
“Na tasya pratima asti”
“There is no likeness of Him”.
(Shwetashvatara Upanishad 4:19)
(The Principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan pg 736 & 737 )
(and in Sacred books of the East Volume 15, the Upanishads part II, Page no.
253)
iv. Shwetashvatara Upanishad Chapter 4 verse 20
It is mentioned in Shwetashvatara Upanishad
“na samdrse tisthati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam”.
“His form cannot be seen, no one sees Him with the eye”.
(Shwetashvatara Upanishad 4:20)
(The Principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan pg. 737)
(And in Sacred books of the East Volume 15, the Upanishad part II, Page no.
253)
BHAGWAD GEETA 7:20
The most popular amongst all the Hindu Scriptures is the Bhagwad Geeta.
Bhagwad Geeta mentions
“Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires worship
demigods” that is “Those who are materialistic, they worship demigods” i.e.
others as deities besides the True God.
(Bhagwad Geeta 7:20)
It is mentioned in Bhagavad Gita
“He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginning-less, as the Supreme
Lord of all the worlds...”
(Bhagwad Geeta 10:3)
YAJURVEDA
Vedas are the most sacred amongst all the Hindu Scriptures. There are
principally 4 Vedas: Rig Ved, Yajur Ved, Sam Ved, and Atharva Ved.
i. Yajurveda Chapter 32, Verse 3
It is mentioned in Yajurveda
“na tasya pratima asti”
“There is no image of Him”
It further says, “as He is unborn, He deserves our worship”.
(Yajurveda 32:3)
(The Yajurveda by Devi Chand M.A. pg. 377)
ii. Yajurveda Chapter 40 Verse 8
It is mentioned in Yajurveda Chapter 40 verse 8
“He is bodiless and pure”.
(Yajurveda 40:8)
(Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph I. H. Griffith pg. 538)
iii. Yajurved Chapter 40 Verse 9
It is mentioned in Yajurved
“Andhatma pravishanti ye assambhuti mupaste”
“They enter darkness, those who worship natural things.”
E.g. worship of natural elements air, water, fire, etc.
(Yajurveda 40:9)
It further continues and says
“They sink deeper in darkness those who worship sambhuti i.e. created
things”
E.g. created things such as table, chair, idols, etc.
(Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph T. H. Griffith pg. 538)
ATHARVA VEDA
i. Atharva Veda book 20 hymn (chapter) 58 verse 3
It is mentioned in Atharva Veda
“Dev Maha Osi”
“God is Verily Great.”
(Atharva Veda 20:58:3)
(Atharvaveda Samhita Vol. 2, William Duright Whitney pg. 910)
RIGVEDA
The oldest and most sacred amongst all the Vedas is the Rigveda.
i. Rigveda Book no. 1, Hymn No. 164, verse 46
It is mentioned in Rigveda Book no. 1, hymn No. 164 verse 46
“Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti”
“Sages (learned Priests) call one God by many names”.
(Rigveda 1:164:46)
Truth is one, God is one, sages call it by various names.
A similar message is given in Rigveda, Book 10, hymn 114, verse 5.
ii. Rigveda Book 2 hymn 1
Rigveda gives no less than 33 different attributes to Almighty God. Several of
these attributes are mentioned in Rigveda Book 2 hymn 1
a. Brahma - Creator - Khaliq – Rigveda Book 2 Hymn 1 Verse 3
Amongst the various attributes given in Rigveda, one of the beautiful attributes
for Almighty God is ‘Brahma’. ‘Brahma’ means ‘the Creator’. If you translate
into Arabic it means ‘Khaliq’. Islam does not object to anyone calling Almighty
God as ‘Khaliq’ or ‘Creator’ or ‘Brahma’, but if someone says that ‘Brahma’ i.e.
Almighty God has got four heads and on each head is a crown and this
Brahma has got four hands, Islam takes strong exception to it because such
descriptions give an image to Almighty God. Such descriptions are also
against what is propounded in Yajurveda Chapter 32, verse 3 which says:
“Na tasya pratima asti”
“There is no image of Him”.
(Yajurveda 32:3)
b. Vishnu – Sustainer - Rabb : Rigveda Book 2, Hymn 1, verse 3
Another beautiful attribute mentioned in the Rigveda Book 2, Hymn 1, Verse 3
is Vishnu. ‘Vishnu’ means ‘the Sustainer’. If you translate this word into Arabic
it means ‘Rabb’. Islam has no objection if anyone calls Almighty God as ‘Rabb’
or ‘Sustainer’ or ‘Vishnu’, but if someone says that Vishnu is Almighty God and
this Vishnu has four arms, one of the right arms holds the ‘chakra’ i.e. a discus
and one of the left arms holds a ‘conch shell’ and Vishnu rides on a bird or
reclines on a snake couch, then Islam takes strong exception to this, because
such descriptions of Vishnu give an image to Almighty God. Such descriptions
are also against what is taught in Yajurveda Chapter 40 verse 8.
iii. Rigveda Book 8 hymn 1 verse 1
It is mentioned in Rigveda
“Ma Chidanyadvi Shansata”
“Do not worship anybody but Him, the Divine One, Praise Him alone”
(Rigveda 8:1:1)
(Rigveda Samhiti Vol. IX, pg. 1 & 2 by Swami Satyaprakash Sarasvati &
Satyakam Vidhya Lankar)
iv. Rigveda Book 5 Hymn 81 verse 1
It is mentioned in Rigveda
“Verily great is the glory of the Divine Creator”
(Rigveda 5:81:1)
(Rigveda Samhiti Vol. 6, pg 1802 & 1803 by Swami Satyaprakash Sarasvati &
Satyakam Vidhya Lanka)
v. Rigveda Book no. VI, Hymn 45, verse 16
It is mentioned in Rigveda
“Ya Eka Ittamushtuhi”
“Praise Him who is the matchless & alone”.
(Rigveda 6:45:16)
(Hymns of Rigveda by Ralph T. H. Griffith pg. 648)
BRAHMA SUTRA OF HINDU VEDANTA
The Brahma Sutra of Hindu Vedanta is:
‘Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste neh na naste kinchan”
“Bhagwan ek hi hai dusara nahi hai, nahi hai, nahi hai, zara bhi nahi hai”.
“There is only one God, not the second, not at all, not at all, not in the least
bit”.
All the above quoted verses and passages from Hindu Scriptures clearly
amplify the Oneness and Uniqueness of Almighty God, the Creator of all.
Furthermore, they negate the existence of any other deity besides the One
True God. These verses essentially propound monotheism.
Therefore only if one carefully studies the Hindu Scriptures, will one
understand and realize the correct concept of God in Hinduism.


28 August 2011

THE COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY HINDUS ABOUT ISLAM

1.   
 IDOL USED FOR CONCENTRATION
Question:
The Hindu Pundits and Scholars agree that the Vedas and other Hindu religious scriptures prohibit idol worship, but initially because the mind may not be matured, an idol is required for concentration while worshipping. After the mind reaches higher consciousness, the idol is not required for concentration.
Answer :
  1. Muslims have reached the higher level of consciousness
    Muslims have reached the higher level of consciousness. If an idol is required for concentration only in the initial stages and not later on when the mind reaches higher consciousness then I would like to say the Muslims have already reached the state of higher consciousness because when we worship Allah (swt) we do not require any idol or statue.
  2. Child asks why does it thunder?
    When I was discussing with a Swami in IRF. He said that when our child asks us, "Why does the sky thunder?", we reply that "aaee ma chakki pees rahi hai", the grandmother is grinding flour in the heaven; because he is too young to understand. Similarly in the initial stages people require an idol for concentration.
    In Islam we don’t believe in telling a lie, even if it’s a white lie. I will never give such a wrong answer to my child because later on when he goes to school and learns that the thundering sound after lightning is due to the expansion of rapidly heated air, he will either think that the teacher is lying or later on when he understands the fact he will conclude that the father is a liar. If you feel that the child may not understand certain difficult things you should simplify the answer rather than give a wrong fictitious reply. If you, yourself do not know the answer, you should have the guts to be truthful and say ‘I don’t know’. But many children nowadays will not be satisfied with this answer. If this answer was given to my son, he would say "Abba (father), why don’t you know?’ This will compel you to do your homework and thus educate yourself as well as your child.
  3. Those in standard one require idol for concentration – (2 + 2 = 4 will remain same in standard one and ten)
    Some pundits while trying to convince me regarding idol worship said that in standard one the student is initially taught to worship God by concentrating with the help of an idol but later on when he graduates he no longer requires the idol to concentrate while worshipping the God.
    A very important fact to be noted is that only if the fundamentals of any particular subject is strong, then only will he be able to excel in future for e.g. A teacher of mathematics in standard one teaches the students that 2 + 2 = 4 irrespective whether the student passes school or does graduation or does a Ph. D. in mathematics, the basics of 2 + 2 = 4 will yet remain the same, it will not change to 5 or 6. In higher standards the student, besides addition may learn about Algebra, Trigonometry, Logarithm, etc. but the fundamental of addition will yet remain the same. If the teacher in standard one itself teaches the fundamentals wrong, how can you expect the student to excel in future?
    It is the fundamental principal of the Vedas regarding the concept of God that He has got no image, so how can the Scholars even after knowing this fact keep silent at the wrong practice being done by people.
    Will you tell your son who is in standard one that 2 plus 2 is not equal to 4 but 5 or 6 and only confirm the truth after he passes school? Never. In fact if he makes a mistake you will correct him and say it is 4 and not wait till he graduates; and if you don’t correct him initially you will ruin his future.
  2.  

WATER IS CALLED BY DIFFERENT NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES – GOD IS CALLED BY DIFFERENT NAMES AS ALLAH, RAM OR JESUS
Question:
Water is called by different names in different languages: in English as water, in Hindi as paani, in Tamil as tanni. Similarly if God is called either Allah, Ram or Jesus, is it not one and the same?
Answer:


  1. To Allah belongs the Most Beautiful Names
    The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Isra chapter 17 verse 110
    "Say: ‘Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.‘"
                                      [Al-Qur’an 17:110]
    You can call Allah by any name, but it should be a beautiful name,should not conjure up a mental picture, and should have qualities that only Allah possesses.
  2. Water can be called by differnt names in different languages but something else besides water cannot be called water in another language.
    You can call water by various names in different languages, like water in English, paani in Hindi, tanni in Tamil, mai in Arabic, apah in Sanskrit, jal in Shudh Hindi, jal or paani in Gujrati, pandi in Marathi, neer in Kannad, neeru in Telugu, vellam in Malayalam, etc. If a person tells me that his friend has advised that everyday early in the morning he should have one glass of paani, but he is unable to drink it because when he drinks it, he feels like vomiting. On enquiry he says that the paani stinks and it is yellowish in colour. Later I realise that what he is referring to as paani is not water but urine. Thus you can call water by different names having the same meaning but you cannot call other things as water or paani.
    People may think that the example is not realistic and I agree with them because even an ignorant person knows the difference between water and urine. He will have to be a fool to call urine ‘water’. Similarly when any person who knows the correct concept of God, sees people worshipping false gods, he naturally wonders how a person cannot differentiate between a true God and false gods.
  3. Purity of Gold is not verified by calling it by different names in different languages but rubbing it against a Touchstone.
    In the same way, gold can be called sona in Hindi, gold in English, dhahaba in Arabic. Inspite of knowing all these different names for gold, if a person wants to sell you his gold jewellery and says this is 24 carat pure sona, you will not blindly believe, without verifying it with a goldsmith. The goldsmith confirms whether it is gold or not with the help of a touchstone. The yellow glittering jewellery may not be gold, because all that glitters is not gold.
  4. Surah Ikhlas is the Touchstone of Theology.
    Similarly, any person or candidate who is called God cannot be accepted as the true God without verifying him with the touchstone. The touchstone of theology, that is study of God, is Surah Ikhlas chapter 112 of the Holy Qur’an which says:
    "Say, ‘He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, The Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not Nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.’’’
                                      [Al-Qur’an 112:1-4]
  5. Any candidate who passes the Acid test can be called God.
    Any candidate who claims to be God and fits in this four line definition, passes the Acid test, is entitled to be called God and worshipped as God.
    Suppose a lunatic says that Muhammad (pbuh) is God, (God forbid). Let’s put him to the test of Surah Ikhlas.
    1. "Kul hu allah hu ahad" – Say He is Allah, The One and Only;

      Is Muhammad (pbuh) one and only? No! he was not the only messenger. There were many other messengers.
    2. "Allah hus Samad" – Allah, The Eternal, Absolute;

      We know that Muhammad (pbuh) had to undergo many hardships. Though he was the mightiest messenger of God, he died at the age of 63 and was buried in Madeenah.
    3. "Lam ya lid wa lam yulad" – He begetteth not Nor is He begotten;

      We know that he was born in Makkah and his parents were Abdullah and Aaminah. He even had several children e.g. Fatimah, Ibrahim (may Allah be pleased with them), etc.
    4. "Wa lam ya kullahu kufuwan ahad" – And there is none like unto Him.

      Though all the Muslims love and revere the Prophet (pbuh) and are supposed to follow each and every of his commandments, yet you will not find a single Muslim in the whole world, who in his senses will ever say that Muhammad (pbuh) is God. The Islamic Creed is, "La illaha illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah", which means that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of Allah. This is repeated five times a day during the call for prayer, so that the Muslims are reminded daily that although they respect and obey him, he is only a Messenger and servant of God, and not God Himself.
  6. Verify the Gods you worship.
    Now that we have explained to you how to use the touchstone of theology it is the duty of everyone to verify with this touchstone, whether the gods that they worship are true or false.
  3.  

HINDUISM IS NOT THE OLDEST AND BEST RELIGION
Question
Hinduism is the oldest of all the religions and thus the, most pure, authentic and best of all the religions of the world.
Answer:


  1. Islam is the oldest religion
    Hinduism is not the oldest of all the religions. It is Islam which is the first and the oldest of all religions. People have a misconception that Islam is 1400 years old and that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the founder of this religion. Islam existed since time immemorial, ever since man first set foot on this earth. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not the founder of Islam. He was the last and final Messenger of Almighty God.
  2. The oldest religion need not be the purest and the most authentic religion
    A religion cannot be claimed to be most pure and authentic, only on the criterion that it is the oldest. It is similar to a person saying that the water he has kept in an open glass, in his house, outside the refrigerator, for three months is purer than the water which has just been collected in a clean glass, immediately after it has been purified.
  3. The latest religion need not be the purest and the most authentic religion
    On the other hand a religion cannot be claimed to be the purest or authentic, only on the criterion that the religion is new or the latest. A bottle of distilled water which is sealed, packed and kept in the refrigerator for three months is much purer than a bottle of water freshly collected from the sea.
  4. For religion to be pure and authentic, it should not have interpolations, changes and revisions in its scriptures revealed from God
    For any religion to be pure and authentic, its scriptures should not contain any interpolation, addition, deletion or revision. Moreover the religion’s source of inspiration and direction should be Almighty God. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture on the face of the earth which has been maintained it its original form. All the other religious scriptures, of all the other religions have interpolations, additions, deletions or revisions. The Qur’an has been in the memory of a multitude of people, intact in its original form ever since its revelation, and now there are hundreds of thousands of people who have preserved it in their memory. Moreover, if you compare the copies made by Caliph Uthman from the original Qur’an which is yet present in the museum in Tashkent and in Koptaki museum in Turkey, they are the same as the ones we possess today.
    Allah (swt) promises in the Qur’an, in Surah Al Hijr, chapter 15 verse 9
    "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."
  5. The oldest religion need not be best religion
    A religion cannot be claimed to be the best religion only on the criterion that it is the oldest. It is similar to a person saying, that my 19th century car is better than a Toyota car manufactured in 1998, because it is older. He would be considered to be a fool to say that his 19th century car which required a rod to be turned in circles to start it, is better than a key-start 1998 Toyota car, just because it is older.
  6. The latest religion need not be the best religion
    On the other hand a religion cannot be called as the best religion only on the criterion that the religion is new or that it came later. It is similar to a person who says that my 800 cc Suzuki car manufactured in 1999 is better than a 5000 cc Mercedes 500 SEL manufactured in 1997. To judge which car is better, a person should compare the specifications of the car e.g. the power of the car, safety measures, the capacity of the cylinders, the pickup, the speed, the comfort, etc. 5000 cc Mercedes, 500 SEL car manufactured in 1997, is far superior and better than a 800 cc Suzuki (Maruti Suzuki 800) manufactured in 1999.
  7. A religion is best, if it has the solutions to the problems of mankind
    For a religion to be considered the best, it should have the solution to all the problems of mankind. It should be the religion of truth, and should be applicable to all ages. Islam is the only religion which has the solution to all the problems of mankind. e.g. the problem of alcoholism, surplus women, rape and molestation, robbery, racism, casteism, etc.
    Islam is the religion of truth, and its laws and solutions are applicable to all the ages. The Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth, which has maintained its purity and authenticity proving itself to be the word of God in all the ages. i.e. previously, when it was the age of miracles, literature and poetry and in present times when it is the age of science and technology. Moreover, Islam is not a man-made religion, but a religion revealed and inspired by Almighty God. It is the only religion acceptable in His Sight.
  5.  

BURYING BETTER THAN CREMATING DEAD BODies
Question:
Why do Muslims bury dead bodies instead of cremating them, i.e. burning them?
Answer:


  1. Components of human body present in the soil
    Elements that are present in the human body are present in lesser or greater quantity in the soil. Hence it is more scientific to bury a dead body, as it easily gets decomposed and mixed in the soil.
  2. No Pollution
    Cremating (burning) the dead body leads to pollution of the atmosphere which is detrimental to health and harmful for the environment. There is no such pollution caused by burying a dead body.
  3. Surrounding land becomes fertile
    To cremate a dead body several trees have to be chopped, which reduces the greenery and harms the environment and the ecology. When dead bodies are buried, besides the trees being saved, the surrounding land becomes fertile and it improves the environment.
  4. Economical
    It is expensive to cremate a dead body when tons of wood have to be burned. Annually there is a loss of crores of rupees, only because dead bodies are cremated in India. Burying dead bodies is very cheap. It hardly costs any money.
  5. Same land can be utilised for burying another body
    The wood used for cremating a dead body cannot be reutilised for cremating another dead body since it gets converted to ashes. The land used for burying a dead body can be reutilised for burying another body after a few years since the human body gets decomposed and mixed in the soil.
  6.  
  BINDI AND MANGALSUTRA
Why do the Muslim married women not put bindi or tika on the forehead and wear Mangalsutra, like Hindu married women?
Answer



  1. Bindi or tika
    Bindi is derived from the sanskrit word bindu, which means a ‘dot’. It is usually a red dot made with vermilion powder and is worn by the Hindu women between their eyebrows on their forehead.
    Bindi is considered a symbol of ‘Parvati’ and signifies female energy which is believed by Hindus to protect women and their husbands. It is traditionally a symbol of marriage and is worn by the Hindu married women. It is also called as tika.
  2. Bindi has become a fashion
    Nowadays, wearing bindi has become a fashion and is even worn by unmarried girls and women. The shape of the bindi is no longer restricted to a dot and is available in various shapes, including oval, star, heart shaped, etc. It is even available in different bright colours like blue, green, yellow, orange, etc. The material of the bindi is no longer restricted to vermilion powder, but is made of coloured felt and other material. It is also available in a variety of designs in combination with coloured glass, glitter, etc.

  3. Mangalsutra
    Mangalsutra means a thread of good-will. It is a necklace worn specially by Hindu married women as a symbol of their marriage. It consists of two strings of black beads with a pendant usually of gold. The black beads are believed to act as a protection against evil. It is believed to protect the women’s marriage and the life of her husband. In southern India, mangalsutra is called tali, which is a small gold ornament string on a cotton cord or a gold chain.
    Hindu Married women are never supposed to remove their mangalsutra. It is only cut off when a Hindu lady becomes a widow.
  4. Allah Is the Protector
    Allah (swt), our Creator, is the best to protect human beings. We do not require any red dot or black thread to protect us from evil. It is mentioned in the Glorius Qur’an in Surah Anam Chapter 6 verse 14
    "Say: Shall I take for my protector any other than Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth?"
                                      [Al-Qur’an 6:14]
    It is mentioned in several places in the Glorius Qur’an including
    Surah Ali Imran Chapter 3 Verse 150 and Surah Alhajj Chapter 22 Verse 78
    "Allah is your Protector, and He is the best of helpers."
    Wearing a bindi or mangalsutra signifies a lack of faith in Almighty God, our Creator, who is the best to protect.
  5. Against the Islamic Dress Code
    Wearing a bindi or mangalsutra is a sign of Hindu women. The Islamic dress code does not permit a Muslim to wear any sign, symbol or mark which is specially significant of a non-Muslim.
  6. In Islam, Both Married and Unmarried women should not be Teased
    Once, a Hindu friend of mine, while mentioning the benefits of mangalsutra said that it easily identifies a married women, and thus prevents them from being teased and molested. According to Islam, each and every woman, whether married or unmarried, Muslim or Non-Muslim, should neither be teased nor molested.
  7.  
  TAKING NAME OF EMPEROR AKBAR IN ADHAAN
Question:
Why do Muslims take the name of Emperor Akbar while calling people to pray?
Answer:


  1. Non Muslim misunderstand that Emperor Akbar’s name is taken in Adhaan
    Once, when I attended a conference in Kerala, a non-Muslim minister spoke just before my speech. He was highlighting the achievements of the Indian Muslims and their role in the progress of India. He said that amongst the Indian kings, the greatest was Emperor Akbar. No wonder the Muslims take his name five times a day, while calling people to pray. During my speech however, I clarified this misconception.
  2. The ‘Akbar’ word of the Adhaan has nothing to do with Emperor Akbar
    The word ‘Akbar’ mentioned in the Adhaan which is given to call people to pray has nothing to do with Emperor Akbar of India.The words in the Adhaan were used centuries before the birth of Emperor Akbar.
  3. ‘Akbar’ means ‘Great’
    The Arabic word ‘Akbar’ means ‘great’. When we say ‘Allahu Akbar’ in the Adhaan we proclaim that ‘Allah is Great’ or ‘Allah is the Greatest’ and we call people to worship the one and only Allah who is the Greatest.
  8.  

WHY DON’T MUSLIMS IN INDIA FOLLOW THE ISLAMIC CRIMINAL LAW?
Question
When Muslims in India insist on having a separate Muslim Personal Law for themselves, why don’t they also insist on implementing the Islamic Criminal Law for the Muslims; for example implementing the rule that the robber’s hands should be chopped off if a Muslim robs?
Answer:


  1. Muslim Personal Law
    Personal Law is a law concerning an individual person and the persons closely related to him, e.g. laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. It includes laws which are mutually agreed upon by a group of people. This law does not include any crime or an act that will harm the society directly.
  2. India is Secular And Democratic
    In any country, the Personal Law may differ for different groups of people and for different communities. Since India is a secular and democratic country it allows different groups of people to follow their own personal law if they wish.
  3. Islamic Personal Law is the Best
    Muslims believe that compared to all the different types of personal laws available in the world, the best and the most result oriented is the Islamic Personal Law. Muslims of India prefer following the Muslim personal law also because of their own belief in Islam.
  4. Criminal Law
    Criminal law is that law which is associated with a crime or an act which directly affects the society e.g. robbing, raping, murdering, etc.
  5. The Criminal Law should be the same for all people
    In any country, the criminal law unlike the Personal Law cannot be different for different groups of people. It has to be same for all people of different groups and different religions e.g. In Islam if a person robs, his hands are chopped off. This punishment is not prescribed in Hinduism. If a Hindu robs a Muslim, what would be the robber’s punishment? The Muslim would want the hands of the robber to be chopped, while the Hindu Law would not agree.
  6. The Muslims in India alone cannot separately follow the Islamic Criminal Law without involving the Non-Muslims
    Even if a Muslim agrees, that as far as he commits a crime he should be given the punishment according to Islamic Criminal Law, it would not be practical. In case an allegation is made against a Muslim for robbery and if the witnesses are Non-Muslims, and if each one follows his own Criminal Law, the punishment in Islam for bearing false witness is 80 lashes, whereas in the Indian Crimial Law, a person giving false witness can easily escape. Thus, for a non-Muslim to falsely accuse a Muslim of any crime is very easy, if both follow their own criminal law. However, if both follow the Indian Law where the punishment is lenient for false witnesses and robbers, it will encourage both the robber to rob as well as encourage the witnesses to give false witness for their own benefit.
  7. The Muslims in India would prefer the Islamic Criminal Law to be implemented on all Indians
    We Muslims would prefer that in India the Islamic Criminal Law be implemented on all the Indians, since, chopping the hands of a thief will surely reduce the rate of robbery in India. Similarly, 80 lashes for giving false testimony will prevent a person from giving false witness.
  8. Islamic Criminal Law is Most Practical
    Islam besides pointing out a crime, it also gives you a solution showing how to prevent the crime e.g. chopping the hands of a robber, death penalty for the rapist. The punishment is so severe that it is a deterrent for the criminal to commit the crime. He will think a hundred times before committing a crime.
    Thus if crime has to be reduced or stopped in India the best solution is to implement ‘The Common Islamic Criminal Law’.
  9.  

ARE RAM AND KRISHNA PROPHETS OF GOD?
Question:
If according to Islam, messengers or prophets were sent to each and every nation of the world, then which prophet was sent to India? Can we consider Ram and Krishna to be messengers of God?
Answer:


  1. Prophets sent to every nation
    1. The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Fatir, chapter 35 verse 24

      ". . . And there never was a people, without a warner
      having lived among them (in the past)."
                              [Al-Qur’an 35:24]
    2. A similar message is repeated in Surah Rad, chapter 13 verse 7
      ". . . and to every people a guide."
                               [Al-Qur’an 13:7]
  2. Stories only of some prophets narrated in the Qur’an
    1. Allah (swt) says in Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 164

      "Of some messengers We have already told thee the story; of others we have not."
                             [Al-Qur’an 4:164]
    2. A similar message is repeated in Surah Ghafir chapter 40 verse 78

      "We did aforetime send messengers before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee. . ."
                             [Al’Qur’an 40:78]
  3. 25 Prophets of God are mentioned by name in the Qur’an
    By name, only 25 Prophets of God are mentioned in the Qur’an e.g. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed (pbut)
  4. More than 1,24,000 prophets of God
    According to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), there were more than 1,24,000 prophets sent to this world.
  5. All previous prophets sent only for their people
    All the prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were only sent for their own people and were to be followed only for a particular period of time.
    Surah Ali Imran, chapter 3 verse 49
    "And (appoint him) a messenger to the Children of Israel, . . ."
                                    [Al-Qur’an 3:49]
  6. Muhammad (pbuh), the last messenger of God
    Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of Almighty God. It is mentioned in

    Surah Ahzab, chapter 33 verse 40
    "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things."
                                  [Al-Qur’an 33:40]
  7. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), sent for whole Humankind

    Since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger, he was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs, but he was sent for the whole of humankind.
    1. It is mentioned in

      Surah Anbiya, chapter 21 verse 107

      "We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures."
                                   [Al’Qur’an 21:107]
    2. A similar message is repeated in

      Surah Saba, chapter 34 verse 28

      "We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not."
                                   [Al Qur’an 34:28]
    3. It is mentioned in

      Sahih Bukhari, volume 1, Book of Salaah, chapter 56 hadith no. 429
      Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger said,

      "Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind."
  8. Which prophet was sent to India?
    Regarding the question of which prophet of God was sent to India, and can we consider Ram or Krishna to be prophets of God, there is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the prophet that was sent to India. Since the names of Ram and Krishna are nowhere to be found in the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for sure whether they were prophets of God or not. Some Muslims, especially certain Muslim politicians who try to appease the Hindus, say Ram Alai-his-salaam, i.e. Ram, may peace be on him. This is totally wrong, since there is no authentic proof from the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith that he was a prophet of God. However, a person may say that perhaps they may have been the prophets of God.
  9. Even if Ram and Krishna were prophets, today we have to follow the last Prophet of God i.e. Muhammad (pbuh)
    Even if Ram and Krishna were prophets of God, they were only meant for people of that time and were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today, all the human beings throughout the world, including India should only follow the last and final prophet and Messenger of God – prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
  10.  

ARE THE VEDAS A REVELATION OF GOD?
Question:
If Allah has sent His books and revelations in every period, then which revelation was sent to India? Can we consider the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures to be the word of God?
Answer:


  1. Revelation sent in every period
    The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Rad, chapter 13 verse 38

    "For each period is a book (revealed)."
                              [Al-Qur’an 13:38]
  2. Four revelations of God mentioned by name in Qur’an
    By name, only four revelations of God are mentioned in the Qur’an i.e. Torah, Zaboor, Injeel and the Qur’an
    Torah is the revelation which was given to Moses (pbuh)

    Zaboor
    is the revelation which was given to David (pbuh)

    Injeel
    is the revelation which was given to Jesus (pbuh)

    and Qur’an is the last and final revelation which was given to the last and final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh).
  3. All the previous revelations sent only for their people
    All the revelations that came before Qur’an were only sent for their own people and were to be followed only for a particular time period.
  4. The Qur’an sent for whole humankind
    Since the Qur’an is the last and final revelation, it was not sent only for the Muslims or the Arabs but it was sent for the whole of humankind. It is mentioned in:
    1. Surah Ibrahim, chapter 14 verse 1

      "Alif Lam Ra. A book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light . . ."
                                     [Al-Qur’an 14:1]
    2. A similar message is repeated in Surah Ibrahim chapter 14 verse 52

      "Here is a Message for mankind: let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed."
                                    [Al-Qur’an 14:52]
    3. Qur’an mentions in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 185

      "Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)."
                                     [Al-Qur’an 2:185]
    4. A similar message is repeated in Surah Zumur chapter 39 verse 41

      "Verily We have revealed the Book to thee in Truth, for (instructing) mankind."
                                      [Al-Qur’an 39:41]
  5. Which revelation sent to India?
    The question that arises is "which revelation of God was sent to India and whether we can consider the Vedas and the other Hindu Scriptures to be the revelations of God?" There is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the revelation that was sent to India. Since the names of the Vedas or other Hindu scriptures are no where to be found in Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for sure that they were the revelations of God. They may be the revelation of God or may not be the revelation of God.
  6. Even if the Veda was the word of God today you have to follow the Qur’an
    Even if the Vedas and the other scriptures were the revelations from God, they were only meant for people of that time and were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today all human beings through out the world including India should only follow the last and final Revelation of God, i.e. the Qur’an. Moreover since all the previous revelations were not meant to be followed for eternity, Almighty God did not preserve them in their original form. There is not a single religious scripture of any of the major religions which claims to be the word of God and has maintained its pure original text and is free from alteration, adulteration and interpolation. Since the Glorious Qur’an is to be followed for eternity, Allah (swt) has taken upon Himself to maintain its original purity and guard it from corruption. Allah says in Glorious Qur’an.
    Surah Hijr chapter 15 verse 9
    "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)."
                                               [Al-Qur’an 15:9]
  3.  

IS ALLAH MENTIONED IN OTHER SCRIPTURES
Question:
"Allah" is the most appropriate name for God in the Qur’an. Is this name "Allah" mentioned in other religious scriptures besides the Qur’an?
Answer:

Almost all the major religious scriptures of the world contain the word "Allah" as one of the names of God.
  1. Elohim El, Elah, Alah
    In the Bible, God is very often referred to as ‘Elohim’ in the Hebrew language. The ‘im’ in the ending is a plural of honour and God is referred to as ‘El’ or ‘Elah’ in the English Bible with commentary, edited by reverend C. I. Scofield. ‘Elah’ is alternatively spelled as ‘Alah’. The difference in spelling is only of a single ‘L’. Muslims spell Allah as ‘Allah’ while the Reverend has spelled it as Alah and they pronounce it as ‘Elah’. Muslims pronounce it as Allah. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages therefore we say it should be pronounced as ‘Allah’ and not as ‘Elah’.

    When I was in school, I was taught ‘D, O’ is do, ‘T, O’ is to. What is ‘G, O’ It is ‘go’ and not ‘gu’. ‘N, U, T’ is nut, ‘C, U, T’ cut; ‘B, U, T’ is but, what is ‘P, U, T’? Not ‘pat’ but it is ‘put’. If you ask "Why?" The answer is "It is their language". If I have to pass I have to say ‘P, U, T’ is ‘put’ and not ‘pat’. Similarly the right pronunciation for A, L, L, A, H, is Allah.
  2. Jesus (pbuh) cried out Allah Allah when he was put on the cross
    It is mentioned in the New Testament in the Gospel of Mathew, chapter 27 verse 46 as well as Gospel of Mark, chapter 15 verse 34 when Jesus (pbuh) was put on the cross.
    Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni?" that is to say, ‘My God, My God why hast Thou Forsaken Me?’ Does this sound like Jehovah! Jehovah! why has thou forsaken me? Does it sound like Abba Abba? The answer is ‘No’. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages and if you translate "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni" into Arabic it is ‘Allah Allah lama tarak tani’ does it sound similar?
    This statement of Jesus (pbuh), "E’-Li, E’-Li la’-ma sa-bach’-tha-ni" is preserved in its original Hebrew in each and every of its translation which is available in more than 2000 different languages of the world and in each and every of them, "Allah" is present.
  1. "Allah" in Sikhism
    One of the names by which Gurunanak Sahib referred to God is "Allah".
  2.  
    1. "Allah" in Rigveda Book 2 Hymn I verse II
      Even in the Rigveda which is the most sacred scripture of the Hindus, one of the attributes given to God Almighty in Book no 2 Hymn no I verse II, is ‘Ila’ which if pronounced properly is the same as Allah.
    2. Allo Upanishad:
      Amongst the various Upanishads one of the Upanishad is named as ‘Allo’ Upanishad in which God is referred to as "Allah" several times.