No Similarities in Islam and Hinduism
We cannot see any similarity between popular Hinduism and Islam, that is, Hinduism as understood and practiced by the great majority, or taught by their religious leaders.
Islamic beliefs are clear: There is one God, Muhammad is His Messenger (the Final), as there were many before him (24 are named); angels are Allah’s creations, He has sent Books of which Qur’an is the Last, He will resurrect mankind and subject them to Reckoning so that, on the basis of their faith and deeds, humans will either end up in Paradise or Hellfire. Two elements of practice are of prime importance in everyday life: Five daily prayers, and charity: both obligatory as well as voluntary.
If you compared the above with Hindu beliefs and practices, you discover no similarity. Hindus do not believe in oneness of God, but believe there are several – though minor – deities with divine powers (although there is a supreme being who overlords the rest). They do not believe that Muhammad was a Messenger, nor do they believe in any of the 24 Messengers named in the Qur’an, in fact they do not believe that the Qur’an is a Revelation. Similarly, they do not believe in angels as no such word exists in their vocabulary. They also do not believe there will be any Resurrection or Judgment. Concepts of Heaven and Hell are totally missing, and so is the concept of five daily Prayers, or of obligatory charity.
Thus, there is nothing that is basic in Islam, but denied by the Hindus. The two are different religions altogether.
Some people try to show similarities at the Scriptural level. But that is an error. A casual study of Hindu Scriptures and comparison with the Qur’an reveals complete dissimilarity. At best it can be said that the concept of Tawhid (oneness of God) is also present in Hindu Scriptures and that worship of deities or minor gods through their images seem later introductions. That might be true. But that has to be said by the Hindus, and not by Muslims. Muslims cannot be allowed to interpret the religious literature of the Hindus. Hindus know their religion best. If their learned and holy class says that that idol worship is part and parcel of Hinduism, then, that’s it. It is their religion and they know best.
Islamic beliefs are clear: There is one God, Muhammad is His Messenger (the Final), as there were many before him (24 are named); angels are Allah’s creations, He has sent Books of which Qur’an is the Last, He will resurrect mankind and subject them to Reckoning so that, on the basis of their faith and deeds, humans will either end up in Paradise or Hellfire. Two elements of practice are of prime importance in everyday life: Five daily prayers, and charity: both obligatory as well as voluntary.
If you compared the above with Hindu beliefs and practices, you discover no similarity. Hindus do not believe in oneness of God, but believe there are several – though minor – deities with divine powers (although there is a supreme being who overlords the rest). They do not believe that Muhammad was a Messenger, nor do they believe in any of the 24 Messengers named in the Qur’an, in fact they do not believe that the Qur’an is a Revelation. Similarly, they do not believe in angels as no such word exists in their vocabulary. They also do not believe there will be any Resurrection or Judgment. Concepts of Heaven and Hell are totally missing, and so is the concept of five daily Prayers, or of obligatory charity.
Thus, there is nothing that is basic in Islam, but denied by the Hindus. The two are different religions altogether.
Some people try to show similarities at the Scriptural level. But that is an error. A casual study of Hindu Scriptures and comparison with the Qur’an reveals complete dissimilarity. At best it can be said that the concept of Tawhid (oneness of God) is also present in Hindu Scriptures and that worship of deities or minor gods through their images seem later introductions. That might be true. But that has to be said by the Hindus, and not by Muslims. Muslims cannot be allowed to interpret the religious literature of the Hindus. Hindus know their religion best. If their learned and holy class says that that idol worship is part and parcel of Hinduism, then, that’s it. It is their religion and they know best.
