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Apropos of: Scribd.com's 'Difference Between Hindus & Muslims'

Please Visit SDOL.org's "Negative Approach towards Wasila and Intercession".

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4787250/Difference-Between-Hindus-Muslims

Once a Hindu happened to visit Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan (India), after observations he says: "I wondered that if there are any differences in Hindu and Muslim is only by names".
  1. Hindus Worship idols, Muslims worship Graves
  2. Hinuds call Rama, Krishna to seek help, Muslims call Khwaja, Data, Mushkil Kusha, Dastagir to seek help
  3. Hindus bring coconuts, incense stick, bananas, flowers to mandirs (temples,  while Muslims take sweets (Jilabees), incense sticks, coconuts, flowers to Darghas (Saint Graves).
  4. People who sit at Mandir is pandit and those who sit at graves are called Mujawar or Khadim.
  5. Hindus hold grand Yatras once a year, Muslims also hold Julus in the name of babas.
  6. Hindus sing, praise bhajjans to the lords, Muslims also conduct Qawali's in praising their babas/Graves.
  7. Hindus prostrate in Mandirs, Muslims too prostrate in Darghas.
  8. Hindus sacrifice humans, animals to their lords, Muslims too sacrifice animals to their saints.
  9. Hindus decorate Mandirs with gold plating and make the lights brighter, Muslims also decorate their graves with Good Chadar wrappings etc.
  10. Hindus collect funds in raising and building, Muslim too do the same.


It is always more convincing to convey a point when it is in a story form, no? I think the author has used a similar strategy in trying to correlate Islam with Hinduism, or as I may openly say, Wasila and reverence for holy sites with Shirk.

But because the above piece of work is not by it's author but by a Hindu who once visited Ajmer Sharif, my questions will be for that Hindu. Is that Hindu imaginary or real is not our concern, but reading the material, the Hindu does not seem very wise and intelligent. It should not be an offence to Hinduism, i only question the intellectual capabilities of the Hindu in question, who once happened to visit Ajmer Sharif and told about his experience to the author.

To me, the Author has used the whole write-up only to criticize grave worshipping the way he sees it.

Before I speak about specific examples the Author/Hindu Visitor has mentioned, I will like to give some comparisons between Islam (the ultimate Haqq as the Author himself believes) and other religions.

  1. In the Bahá'í Faith, fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset during the Bahá'í month of `Ala'. Similarly, Muslims in Islam fast from Sunrise to Sunset during the Islamic Month of Ramadan. I wonder if there is any difference between Muslims and Bahais! Should we as Muslims stop fasting in Ramadan in order to eliminate the similarities between us and the Bahais?
  2. Some Hindus fast on certain days of the month such as Ekadasi or Purnima. Similarly, Muslims also fast on certain days of Shabaan (and Muharram for Sunnis). I wonder if there is any difference between Hindus and Muslims!
  3. Hindu pilgrims make a trip to the River Ganges atleast once a life time to dip themselves in the river in order the shed their sins and attain salvation. Similarly, Muslim pilgrims make a trip to Mecca atleast once a life time for similar purpose. I wonder if there is any difference between Hindus and Muslims!
  4. Adultery is haraam and banned in Christianity, Judaism, even Hinduism. I think Islam deals adultery the same way?
  5. Kesh or Uncut hair and beard is one of the 5 articles of faith in Sikhism. Similarly, Muslims put undue importance in the keeping of beard as a part of the Sunnah.
  6. Christians gather in a Church for a sermon and prayers on Sundays, Muslims gather in a Mosque for a sermon and prayers on Fridays.
  7. Christian Nuns dress modestly, covering their heads, chest, feet, except their face. Muslim Hijab teaches them the same thing.

Did i forget to mention that all of the above were observations my friend made? He is from Mars and he went around the world to come up with these observations. He concluded that after all, Islam is just another name for Hinduism, Christianity, Bahaism and Judaism. Infact, he said that Islam is an Arabic translation of Christianity, which itself is Hebrew translation of Hinduism and so forth.

The point is that similarities between two things never portray anything, specially if they are taken out of context. Out of cotnext, Muslims kiss a stone (Hajra Aswad), Hindus kiss idols, what is the difference?  Similarly Christians worship a God and Muslims also worship a God, but concept of both Gods are very very different?

The Hindu who visited Ajmer should have done some home work before coming up with his observations.

The author has targeted the use of Wasila in the name of Babas, Sufis, Qalanders etc. If this is the case then we support the hindu visitor, not because it has similarities between Hinduism but because attributing Wasilla to the "Unauthorized" is as big a sin as it can be. If the author is targeting Wasila as a whole, confusing it with Shirk and grave worshipping, then he is mistaken and it will be discussed later on.

As far as I understand the approach of the article, it is such that; Because Hindus Worship their Gods and Muslims worship Their God (Singular), both are not different because both Worship an entity. Relate this to the concept of Wasila. If Hindus use their Idols as Wasila, some Muslims use the Babas as their Wasila, and some Muslims use Rasool (SAW) and his Ahlulbayt (AS) as their Wasila, then although the use of Wasila is common in all three, the methodology and approach is very different, just like worshipping Allah and worshipping other Gods.

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4787250/Difference-Between-Hindus-Muslims

If you ask any learned Hindu why do you worship idols? He will say they are not Gods, they are kept as identity to get concentration and they will take nearness to God.
 

The same answer was given by the polytheist of Makkah at the time of Prophet (SAW).

[39:3] Now, surely, sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone) and (as for) those who take guardians besides Him, (saying), We do not serve them save that they may make us nearer to Allah, surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ; surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful.

If you ask the same question to the grave worshipper that why do you worship graves? He will reply that the saints are not dead, they are living, we consider them not as God but we rather call them to get nearness to God.

What's the reply from the noble Quran about their claim?

[16:20] And those whom they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves created;
[16:21] Dead (are they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised.

Allah is not talking about the idols in the above verses, he is saying to grave worshippers, the dead doesn't know when he will be raised back, for there is no chance of the idols to be raised back.

[6:22] And on the day when We shall gather them all together, then shall We say to those who associated others (with Allah): Where are your associates whom you asserted?


The author has quoted the Quran:

Now, surely, sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone) and (as for) those who take
guardians besides Him, (saying), We do not serve them save that they may make us
nearer to Allah, surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ; surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful.
Quran [39:3]

The verse is very important as it clearly tells us two things.

  1. Those who take Guardians besides Allah with the intention of achieving Allah's nearness, Allah will judge between them.
  2. Allah does not guide the liars.

Considering Point number One, Allah will judge between those who take "Guardians besides Allah". It is important to know who are the Guardians besides Allah. Is everyone besides Allah a non guardian? Or is it talking about attributing guardianship to those who are not Authorized by Allah?

Only Allah is your Vali and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep
up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow. And whoever takes Allah and His messenger and those who believe for a guardian, then surely the party of Allah are they that shall be triumphant.
Quran [5:55-56]

Any one who has read many many verses of the Quran and not only one specific verse, will Realize that when we take Allah as our guardian, we take along with him, all those who he himself has chosen, to be our Guardians.

If Allah has chosen only Muhammad (SAW) and a Special group of believers or believer to be our guardians or Walis, then who ever nominates their own Wali or chooses a Wali other than these is ruined.

Coming back to point number one, according to Quran [39:3], Allah will judge amongst those who take Guardians besides Allah with the intentions of gaining nearness with Allah. Why will not Allah punish these people directly? As we can see, Allah has already passed his judgment regarding those who commit shirk.

Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and
forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.
Quran [4:48]

At one point, Allah has promised to punish all who associate with him, yet he says he will judge between those who took guardians besides Allah in order to gain his nearness.

This in itself is a proof that taking of the Wasila is not Shrik. Those who lied (or attribute Guardianship to those who Allah has not chosen) as Quran [39:3] says,  will remain unguided.

The author continues to say that those in the graves are dead. Indeed they are, but the same cannot be said about martyrs.

And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are)
alive, but you do not perceive.
Quran [2:154]

I do not know which grave worshippers is the author speaking about, but people who visit the shrines of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his blessed Ahlulbayt (AS), do so because these places are symbols of the very personalities, these places bring us close to Allah as we are reminded of their teachings, efforts and sacrifices in the way of Allah.

People kiss these shrines as a sign of love and reverence. How can we even compare the grave of Rasool (SAW) with any filthy idol, or with he grave of any other Baba or Qalander who himself was unsure about his own intentions and piety, about who there is no surety that they will gain the intercession of Rasool (SAW)?

Any one who worships anything besides Allah, associates anything with Allah is ruined. Any one who goes away from Rasool (SAW) and his blessed Ahlulbayt (AS) on who all Muslims send their Durood to complete their salaat, is ruined.

Paying homage to the graves of Rasool (SAW) and Ahlulbayt (AS) is not and cannot be attributed with grave worshipping.

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4787250/Difference-Between-Hindus-Muslims

Prophet (SAW) said: May Allah Curse the Jews and Christians for they have taken the graves of their prophets as places of worship. (Sahih Bukhari 414, Muslim).
 

Prophet (SAW) said: Do not sit on graves and do not pray facing them. (Muslim H-972).

Abu Hurayrah (RA) says that the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: O Allah, do not turn my grave into an idol. May the curse of Allah be upon those who take the graves of their prophets as places of worship (Ahmad H-7352)

When our Prophet (SAW) claims that he doesn't know the unseen, he doesn't have the treasures of Allah, do not take my grave as an idol, then how could we attribute such things to saints in graves and believe in these listed below:

  1. They Listen (dead) to us inside the earth 7 feet deep.
  2. They understand the language whatever you speak, English, Urdu, Hindi etc when one invokes to them to seek help
  3. They see us from the grave and reply to us.
  4. They help us in our afflictions and solve our problems.
  5. They grant us treasures and bounties.

These are false claims made by "grave worshippers", they deceive the innocent Ummah of Islam, fill their stomach with fire of what they earn by. They erect huge Mazaars with decorations and fancies that none could remember death when one who goes there, only we loose our Iman.

 

I agree with the author that we should not attribute Walayah to saints, Qalanders, Babas and Peers etc when Walayah is only for those chosen by Allah, not by us. We are transgressing when we attribute illogical, unnecessary and blasphemous miracles to people, like Rabia Basri who managed to move the Kaaba from it's place.

This  is not because it is impossible for any creation of God to split the moon into two, this is because it is impossible for any one who is not given that Authority by Allah himself to perform miracles, and those too which is acting as a competition against Rasool (SAW) and his Ahlulbayt (AS).

The "grave worshippers" indeed have deceived the Ummah of Islam by erecting huge mazaars with decorations over graves of every tom, dick and harry. People who have visited Darbaars in the subcontinent must be familiar with the music, drugs and prostitution these places house. Not to forget to mention that these places are a huge source of financial income for the keepers and for the government to an extent.

However, the author must learn to draw a line when it comes to Muhammad (SAW). He must realize that all Muslims are ordered to Salute Rasool (SAW) till Qayamah, and we will be forgiven if we pray for forgiveness from Allah through Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

And We did not send any messenger but that he should be obeyed by Allah's permission; and had they (hypocrites), when they were unjust to themselves, come to you  (O Muhammad) and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful. But no! by your Lord! they do not believe (in reality) until they make you (O Muhammad) a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them, and then do not find any straitness in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit with entire submission.
Quran [4:64-65]

 

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4787250/Difference-Between-Hindus-Muslims

Shirk has many kinds. One of the greater Shirk is either to worship other than Allah, or to make partners with Allah in something that is specifically his. For Example, to take someone as his partner in worship, obedience, love, fear, supplication and seeking help.

 

When one associates partners with Allah, regardless of who that partner is, such as a man, animal, plant or inanimate object, one has perpetrated the greater shirk, examples of which are as follows:

  1. To supplicate to that partner as one supplicates to Allah
  2. To love that partner as one loves Allah
  3. To hope from that partner as one hopes from Allah
  4. To submit oneself in obedience to that partner as one submits in obedience to Allah
  5. To fear that Partner as one fears Allah
  6. To seek someone's judgment instead that of Allah's Shariah.

Worship Allah Alone.

 

The author says that shirk is "to take someone as his partner in worship, obedience, love, fear, supplication and seeking help". Shirk only has one kind and that is to associate anyone with Allah, or to believe that anything is independent of Allah. To worship other than Allah is not Shirk but Kufr.

Prophet Isa (AS) could give life to the dead, this is a power which only Allah possesses. If we believe that Isa (AS) could bring the dead to life without Allah's permission, independently, then this is Shirk, if we believe that Isa (AS) carried out the miracles by the Will of Allah, then this is not shirk, it is only a bounty and mercy of Allah on Isa (AS), Allah has chosen Isa (AS).

But if i claim the same attribute for myself, a sinner and who has not been given any authority by Allah, then this claim is nothing but a lie and misguidance. It is as if attributing a lie to Allah himself. And this is what the Muslim Ummah is doing, giving authority to Babas, peers, Qalanders, Sufis, who are normal sinning people like you and me, the authority which is only given to Muhammad (SAW) wa Aal e Muhammad (AS) by Allah himself.

As i said earlier, the author must learn to draw a line when it comes to Rasool (SAW). When we visit his blessed shrine, we do so because of the reverence we hold for him (SAW), not because we worship him.

However, the Quran has told us to love, follow, fear and submit to Muhammad (SAW) as much as we do to Allah, because Muhammad (SAW) is the symbol of Allah on earth. How can you follow Allah when he doesn't talk to you? Following Muhammad (SAW) is the following of Allah himself.

 Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your
faults, and Allah is Forgiving, MercifuL Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers.
Quran [3:31-32]

But no! by your Lord! they do not believe (in reality) until they make you (O
Muhammad) a judge of that which has become a matter of disagreement among them,
and then do not find any straitness in their hearts as to what you have decided and submit
with entire submission.
Quran [4:65]

Worshipping Allah means obeying him in all aspects. Obeying him means accepting Muhammad (SAW) and the Chosen set of Believers as our Walis. Difference between Shirk and Intercession cannot be realized by those who are suffering from the disease of literalism.

Worship Allah alone as he is worthy of it.


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