Chapter three dealt a lot with how Muhammad viewed Judaism and Christianity, so in my Q&A this week, I asked how he would view Hinduism. I've been thinking more about that question, and I just find it so interesting that Hinduism and Islam-- from what I know so far about them-- are both accepting of other religions but in different ways.
Hindu's and Muhammad agree that no one religion could possibly hold all of the answers. So, Hinduism basically accepts all deities as sacred, while Islam, being extremely monotheistic, believes only in Allah and tries to find him in other religions.
I think that if Muhammad had been exposed to Hinduism, he would have respected the core beliefs, but I am unsure of which god he would percieve as equal to Allah. After all, he respected both Judaism and Christianity, but still considered some of their beliefs to be "deluded."
What are your thoughts?
It seems like he was an understanding enough person to respect the Hindu religion, but I think it is too polytheistic for him to see most of their beliefs as anything other than "deluded" as you said. He would probably hope that they can find Allah themselves and know the true God as he believes.
ReplyDeleteDeluded, or perhaps diluted!
DeleteThe noble Quran starts with the name of a Hindu saint "Mahamati Prannath" who also happens to be the promised Kalki of Hindus.
ReplyDeleteGo to http://sanandhonline.blogspot.com/2013/05/alif-lam-mim-unlocked-part-i.html for better clarity on Muhammed and Hinduism and much more.