What does Quran say about Hinduism? While Hinduism as a system of beliefs and practices is entirely foreign to the Abrahamic religions such as Christianity and Islam, at least part of Hindu religious experience can be found in the Quran. This is because in terms of spiritual sources for their faith, many of the Quran’s scriptures and stories contain strong echoes within the Hindu religion. For example, the discussion of the God-created man and woman in the Hindu religion can be seen in the Quran in the story of Adam and Eve, as well as the cosmological reference to the Earth as an egg occupying the center of the universe.
In line with these shared scriptural elements, the God of the Quran and the gods of Hinduism are generally seen to be similar -worshipped in different forms but the same in spirit. For example, the Quran makes several references such as the invocation of “Almighty G-d of Abraham, G-d of Moses, G-d of Jesus and G-d of Krishna”. Moreover, the concept of ‘One God’ in Hinduism is also found in the Quran and Islamic practices. This is because, for example, the Quran’s assertion that ‘God Is One’ is shared with Hindus in their belief of One Supreme Being, often referred to as Brahman.
At the same time, the Quran does diverge from certain key Hindu beliefs in regards to individual salvation, sin, morality and destiny. Unlike Hinduism, the Quran is clear that individuals cannot earn their own salvation through good deeds, but must find it in God alone. Moreover, the Quran insists that all individuals are born sinless and are only responsible for the sins they consciously commit. This contrasts various beliefs in Hinduism that humans are naturally born into sin, often shaped by karma viewed in terms of good and bad deeds.
All in all, while the Quran upholds several core spiritual beliefs shared with Hinduism, it continues to diverge in crucial areas. This can be observed at a deeper level in the stories, teachings and practices found in both the Quran and Hinduism, which when studied closely reveal a pronounced divergence between these two faiths.
Nature Worship In Both Religions
Interestingly, both the Quran and Hinduism share a number of similar practices concerning nature worship, including the reverence both share towards Earth and its creatures. In the Quran, one can find several references to the beauty of nature and its blessings such as in the story of Joseph and Zulaykha, in which a dove figures prominently as a symbol of purity and love. Moreover, in line with the idea of nature being sacred, both the Quran and Hindu teachings reject the instrumental use of nature for the consumption of the materialistic world.
Similarly, Hindus revere all aspects of nature and consider them sacred, with the belief that creation itself is held in the divine folds of the Gods. Hindus refer to nature worship as ‘prakriti puja’, which is a ritual and prayer devoted solely to nature. Examples of nature worship includes sacred trees, rivers and mountains, which are believed to have seen the birth of Gods. Furthermore, Hindu worshippers identify with their own children through nature, seeing their relationship with nature as one of their children’s most important spiritual foundations.
At the same time, Hindu devotion to nature is often viewed by outsiders as superstition, as it can easily be compared to magical thinking. However, Hinduism itself does not think of nature worship as a superstition, as it does not condone the worship of lifeless objects. Instead, for Hindus these objects can serve as representations or pathways for the ultimate power of God or the divine, which can be found in all parts of nature.
In this way, it can be seen that the Quran and Hinduism both approach the concept of nature worship from a sacred perspective, with a belief that the divine can be found in all aspects of creation.
Common Themes Of Showing Compassion To Others
Additionally, one of the main themes found in both Hinduism and the Quran is the idea of showing kindness and compassion towards others. Often, this is expressed through ideologies of charity or philanthropy, in which both Hindus and Muslims strive to make a difference in the world. For example, echoing the importance of service found in Hinduism, the Quran also speaks of the need to do good deeds in order to experience God’s grace. Similarly, the Quran speaks of the need to be generous and charitable to all, even those who are considered enemies, in order to please God.
In particular, the Quran places a great emphasis on the importance of feeding the poor and helping those in need of assistance. This is because, as the Quran states, “Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the most righteous among you.” This sentiment is echoed in the Hindu religion, in which karma and Dharma are seen as central tenants of the faith.
Similarly, the idea of overcoming hatred and jealousy towards others is also found in both religions. In the Quran, those who oppose God and those who are hostile to the faith are warned to stop their behaviours, as the Quran urges adherents to overcome hatred with kindness and to forgive their enemies. Moreover, in Hinduism Hindus are encouraged to view all life as sacred, and to strive for inclusiveness without hatred or judgement towards others.
Contrast In Idol Worship
Despite the many similarities shared by the Hindu and Islamic faiths, one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of divergence between these two religions is the concept of idol worship. For example, the Quran makes no reference to idols and states clearly that ‘there is no God but God’. In contrast, Hindus worship a variety of gods and goddesses in various forms, including statues and other iconic symbols.
Moreover, while the concept of idol worship has often been misrepresented in the west as an unhelpful and overly devout practice, Hindus view the physical manifestations of their gods as pathways to an ultimate knowing, rather than gods to be adored in a traditional sense. With this in mind, it can be argued that idol worship as practised in Hinduism can serve as a valid method for seeking spiritual enlightenment.
Additionally, it is important to note that there is also some variation in terms of how Hindus view idol worship. For example, the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism believes that stone deities are alive and are vessels for worship, whereas most other Hindus view the statues as symbols of what the divine represents.
Allowance Of Other Religious Practices
Additionally, the Quran also speaks of the allowance of pluralism and other religions. This is significant because, whereas Hinduism is often seen to have a greater presence in terms of religious diversity, the Quran also speaks of the need to be cordial and respectful to other religious practices. For instance, the Quran makes several references to the ‘people of the Book’, which can be seen as a collective term referring to the ancient believers such as Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Moreover, the Quran encourages Muslims to accept the beliefs and practices of other faith traditions, as it states: ‘There is no compulsion in religion’. This sentiment is echoed in Hinduism, in which adherence to pluralism is upheld through the notion of dharma, or moral law. Additionally, the notion of ahimsa or non-violence is also found in both Hinduism and the Quran, with Hindus believing that the practice of ahimsa contributes to a greater peace, and the Quran supporting this in passages such as “Do unto others as you wish, that you be done unto”, which speaks of kindness, respect and understanding for others.
Conclusion That Both Religions Deserve Respect
Ultimately, it can be seen that while there are a variety of contrasting elements between the Hindu and Islamic faiths, these two religions also share a number of important similarities in regards to core principles. These include elements such as nature worship, the idea of showing compassion to others, and the allowance of other religions. With this in mind, it can be argued that both the Quran and Hinduism deserve respect, as they offer a unique insight into the understanding of spirituality in its many forms.
