By Dr Javed Jamil,
Shirdi’s Sai Baba has undoubtedly outdone all other Hindu saints in terms of growing popularity among Hindus in the last century. While there is little doubt that he was a Muslim Sufi saint with unadulterated devotion to one “MaaliK”, his Hindu devotees outnumber Muslims by a huge margin. This is of course due to the fact that Baba loved local Hindu population and helped them in getting rid of their distresses. From Muslim point of view, it is indeed unfortunate that people started worshipping a saint whose slogan was “Sab ka Maalik Aik” (The Lord of All is One), which is almost exactly what La Ilaha Illallah(There is no god except One GOD) implies. The man who wanted everybody to worship one Maalik, even if through the help of a Murshid (Teacher) could not have liked temples being built in his name, his statues erected and worshipped by millions. He might have wished instead that all these disciples of him would have recognized God, the Lord of the World who is also the Lord of those who do not believe in Him and would have recognized His Last Scripture as the Final source of guidance. But they chose to worship him instead. This would surely be paining the Soul of The Baba.
But if the Shankaracharya of Dwarka has chosen to publicly denounce the devotion of Baba’s devotees, it smacks of a feeling of aversion towards Islam and Muslims and a sense of growing insecurity in theological terms. In all probability, the Shankaracharya does not know that Islam does not claim its origin in Qur’an and Muhammad (PBUH) that were only the Last Scripture and Last Prophet in a series of a large number of scriptures (Suhuf and Kutub) and God-sent Ambassadors. Qur’an talks of God’s Messengers in every region of the world, and many Islamic scholars talk fondly of Hindu figures like Ram and Krishna because they think they might well have been part of the early history of Islam. (Nothing can be said with certainty though.)
When after studying Bible, I read Valmiki Ramayana about 20 years back, I was struck with amazement finding that the story of Ram, as described by Valmiki has close similarities with the history of Hadhrat Ibrahim described in Old Testament Abram was his original name in Bible meaning Father of the Nation which later became Abraham, the Father of Nations. When he left Ur, his native place, and moved to the desert of Egypt, His wife Sara (like Sita) was kidnapped by the Firaun of that time (Ravan) who later released her, as he got convinced about her extraordinary character. Abram later married Hegira and banished her like Sita was banished. While Valmiki Ramayana describes only one wife of Rama and ascribes apharan and nishkaasan to her unlike in Bible where these two events related to his two wives, several other Ram Kathas describe more than one wife of Ram. Abraham too had two sons Ishmael and Isaac, like Luv and Kush, and they also were master archers. Bharat Jhunjhunwala, well-known columnist, is now busy compiling a full book on the similarities between Ibrahim (RA) and Ram. Valmiki Ramyana talks of one single God and speaks about Pralay (Qayamat). In one of the Hindu scriptures, I also found a story almost similar to Hadhrat Lut (AS) whose people had become sexually corrupt and were destroyed through raining of stones from the sky. It isalso amzing that no group of Indians traces their ancestry to Rama, and nothing is known in Hindu scriptures about the later life of Luv and Kush and their progeny.
The Shankaracharya is perhaps also not aware of the fact that Islam literally means Shanti (Peace), and is defined as Submission to God (Samarpan to Parmeshwar). Under the circumstances it would have been better if the Shankaracharya had asked the Hindus and Muslims to study each other’s scriptures and ultimately decide to worship One God. No other figure, Devtaa, Avataar or Paighambar deserves worship because God alone created the universe and controls it. The paighambars, avatars and gurus are only to be revered as they taught about God.
It will be better if the devotees of Shirdi’s Sai Baba take the controversy in a positive way, and instead of worshipping the Baba, learn to worship the Eik Maalik, the Baba worshipped. This would please the soul of Baba and the devotees will surely move towards the right destination. Hopefully the controversy will give boost to the aikeshwarvaad in India.
The Shankaracharya interestingly made a highly relevant point in a debate on a TV channel last evening, which gave strength to my efforts of bringing all religions together including Hinduism and Islam against the social vices and the forces that are promoting them. He spoke with considerable hatred about alcohol and its role in being responsible for the crimes including crimes against women. Let Shankaracharyas and Ulama unite to make India a cleaner, purer and healthier world and present their unity as a model to the whole world, which needs resuscitation of religion and the moral and family values that religions prescribe. This will also be a big step towards communal amity in India. If Hinduism and Islam can work together for the common benefit of mankind, Buddhism, Christianity and other religions will also not remain behind in joining them.
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* Dr Javed Jamil is a thinker and writer with over a dozen books including his latest, “Muslims Most Civilised, Yet Not Enough” and “Muslim Vision of Secular India: Destination & Road-map”. Other works include “The Devil of Economic Fundamentalism”, “The Essence of the Divine Verses”, “The Killer Sex”, “Islam means Peace” and “Rediscovering the Universe”. He can be contacted at: doctorforu123@yahoo.com or 91-8130340339.
first make the worshippers of so called “one god” stop killing each other. there is no point in talking about god and heaven if there is killing on earth daily. useless sermon…
Good Morning,
Dear Friend, yes we all have reasons to be angry. Muslims killing Muslims in all muslim Countries. Reasons are:
Muslims created various sects against the total teaching of Holy Prophet & Holy Scripture. There must not be division of Islam but even at the time of Caliphates , The hard liners brought division. The world is approacing end time & Holy Prophet of Islam foretold that there will be 73 sects among Muslims only one sect will truly follow the path of Sunna & truth. When we Muslims are told that despite of all piety if we hate our neighbors, we will not be forgiven & may enter hell. Now question: our neigbours are both Muslims & Non Muslims but both way hatred is spread.
Sai Baba was brought up by Brahmins & though inspired to read hindu slokes ,he read Islamic slokes & wanted to render unity among all people. You talk about hinduism
there is no hinduism but sonatam Dharam who truly believe in ONE ALMIGHTY CREATOR & not Idols as done by Brahma samaj of India whose members were Ghandiji & Pondit Nehru who termed Ramanaya as a tale told as in Arabian Nights. It was a man made story unlike Vedas.
Many commented why all Holy Prophets were born in Middle East. But we were told Krishna might have been a Prophet
like Socrates, Plato & Aristotle who believed & taught unity of faith & unity of ALMIGHTY Supre Creator.
Alenxander himself believed in ONE ALMIGHTY GOD.
Your Hindus Quraell with Muslims about eating of beef when your own Scripture Rigveda 10/85/13 ,6/17/1 give witness that Hindus used to eat cow meat .
Talk of Atheism : Read the Articles of Science research foundation :The collapse of Darwiinism & evidence of Creation.
There is next universe. This world is our test centre & next world is the world of innormous pain & bliss. Death is not the end but only the beginning for Souls never die & ALMIGHTY has created us from the dead.
There is no general reincarnation though ALMIGHTY ALLAH SWT showed miracles to Holy Prophet Abraham & through Jesus by raising people from dead & to Holy Prophet Dulkeifl who called l almost 4000 people out of grave with the power of the ALMIGHTY. Believers are only blessed.
Finally Islam is the Religion of Peace & truth. Donot look at the killers look at the peaceful savers & the true teaching of Holy Muslim Scripture which in a number of times agrees with the Vedas specially about ONENESS OF ALMIGHTY CREATOR OF The vast universe: Seven Layer of Earth, Seven heavens & 11 Planets .Thank you.
In my book, “Muslims Most Civilised, Yet not Enough”, I have given massive statistics to show who are the major killers. The atheists and secularist (West, Soviet Union, China) have killed almost 150 out 0f 180 crores killed during last one century including the two world wars. Out of more than 2 lakh deaths by terrorists in last 20 years, only 5600 are related to al-Qaedah. LTTE (Tamils), Naxalites, Maoists, all demographically Hindus, Sikhs have killed maximum. In India alone out of 41000 deaths in terrorist attacks in last 20 years, only 1400 are alleged to have been by Muslim terrorists. Ulfa and Maoists have killed most. The maximum murder rate is in West and minimum in Muslim countries. The same is true of abortions and suicides.
Love you
Dear Dr. J.Jamil,
As Salamu alaikum, Ingorants always like to say as they please.
What we agree with your findings that some coloring was given to Mohabarath:
Holy Sarah was abducted & placed in the Harem. Holy Ishmael & Holy Isaac both were Archers.
Most probably the story was based on Holy Prophet Abraham.
We further believe Socrates, Plato & Aristotle might have been Holy prophets
and Alexgendar believed in ONE ALLAH SWT & may have been a Muslim at heart.
ALLAH SWT knows the best.
Thank you.
How did u miss out partition which killed millions of people and misplace millions? Was not partition because a Muslim wanted to carve out a separate Islamic state. This is the biggest holocaust India has ever seen. And all the current unrest in the world is by Muslims. Nigeria, somalia, iraq, afghanistan. In Bosnia, it was the west which came to the rescue of the Muslims. So stop ur useless sermons. People are fed up with these brainwashing,
I couldn’t imagine what shit he conjured up.
There are no traces of Rama’s sons?
That itself shows he has not researched well.
And to link it with Islam.
Idk Mann just keep the sanctity of one of the religions. We know Islam trampled on many pagan religions and came forward with violence. So it definitely is funny to say that Islam means peace.
That whole verse of ‘cast terrors into the hearts…’
It’s everywhere in YouTube comments section unnecessarily. And this author has the galls to draw parallels to one person in history whose wife got kidnapped and has two sons?
I mean in pre islamic Arabia that would be every other peasant. Was he banished? Did he fight for justice and morality? NADA.
Very stupid author.
Mr.B’lore
Every religion is associated with killing sometime or other in history. It is not religion which asks to kill. It is human being who uses religion as a tool to fulfill their selfish needs.
y blame religion for that. and y blame only islam.
The Quran says When Almighty God decided to create HUman being and sent down to earth :
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, – while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.”
Even before Human was created by the lord Almighty it was very well known that he will cause destruction and mischief.
The same can be found in Bible.
Every religion is associated with killing sometime or other in history. some of the historical incidents are :
In kalinga war more than 1 million people were killed,it was a war between hindu kings. was islam responsible for that?
In world war 1 &2 millions were killed, was islam responsible for that?
thousands of muslims are being killed and tortured in the hands of Buddist in Burma. who is killing whom?
thousands of muslims were killed in Bosnia.who is killing whom?
thousands of muslims are being killed and left homeless in Iraq & Afghanistan.who is killing whom?
Now what do you say Mr.B’lore
What is that you are going to tell ? Hindu religion is fastest growing religion in the world because of its flexibility and freedom unlike islam. Hindus may be athiests still they are called hindus and practice hinduism. If Islam is so peaceful why the hell people are dying killing each other and also killing non muslims , becoming so aggrassive still preaching Islam is peace . Certain issues , there are no answers. Hinduism is today is widely accepted all over world as they can pray any god . Thats why hindus even now can be seen in mosques and chrches , gurudwaras, buddhist mandirs , pray all Gods , still practice hinduism. Sai baba was born to a brahmin parents , later brought up by a muslim phakeer. He never disclosed his origin of birth and thats why it is mystery. He knows vishnu sahasra namam, bhagavat gita and asked hindu devotees to read Ramayan daily . He is the believer of hindu Gods and allowed all festivals . Devotees of Sai baba feels he is the incarnation of Lord shiva but not any other God.
Dear Friend, Peaceless people look for peace elsewhere.
A number of Hindus converting to Islam. You have every right to abuse others . World is at war against each other even among own families
Anyway, there is life after death for all .also norok & shorog as described in Sonatan Dharam.
People who believed in ONE ALMIGHTY CREATOR (PORMESWAR) & in Holy Prophets & did virtuous work & lived in unity with all neigbors may be forgiven & live in blissful paradise for ever. The purpose of our life is nothing but to recognise the Supreme ALMIGHTY & glorify HIM & obey HIM as per Religious guidance. Its up to people to take it or leave it. Islam compell none to accept or reject.
People who kill other innocent will enter hell fire.
Islam has no division but wrong doers have no Religion.Donot blame Islam ,the best Religion of this universe.
What is your point?
It is because of you stupid people, that BOKO HARAMIS and TALIBAN thrive. You have no idea how great and indestructible Hinduism is.
Stop worrying about Hinduism. Worry about most Muslims living in poverty and self-denial and write articles about their development. Worry about Islamic Terrorists all over the world.
Jai Hind.
you are cent percent correct brother Indian. The writer should write more on boko haram , ISIL, Pakistan taliban , AQ , sunni shia how they are killng fellow muslims in the name religion and exercising authority . Hinduism is non destructible and the people who converted earlier by sword will come back to their religion as their religion does not guarantee life and peace on earth.
Mora, I do not think it was by sword.
Read the below what happened to menacing Puram 1981. It is humiliation that decides.
Some 15 km from Tenkasi, a little town in south Tamil Nadu, a muddy road winds into green obscurity. A few hundred metres down, Meenakshipuram suddenly emerges. The first structure that greets you is a mosque – green, white and grey. And then, a group of Muslims – dark faces with greying beards. Converts, as some people call them.
“Yes, I converted to Islam,” says Sheik Madar Sahib, 61, who was Chelliah, a Dalit Hindu, till February 19, 1981. “And I am proud of my decision. No law can stop such a conversion. Go and ask your prime minister if I am right.”
Atal Bihari Vajpayee should know better. For he was among those who descended on Meenakshipuram in 1981 to woo back the 150 families that had shunned Hinduism to embrace Islam. Religious conversion came right into national consciousness.
Google news have publish bokoharam, Taliban, Isis. They never talk about good people in Islam. Just few months back few world powers supported Isis in Syria.
Muslims have issues but we also don’t need humiliation everyday in google news, sify news, ndtv news. We need empowerment and it is highly appreciated how Muslims are helping in this world.
Mora, It will be better if you study the history of how Hindus annihilated Buddhists and their temples. It will also be good if you collect the statistics about the deaths caused by Tamils, Naxals, Sikhs, Hindus in anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim riots, Naxals and Maoists. While I do not blame the religion for the deeds of the communities, this isonly to show you the reality. I myself believe in coming together of all religions against the so-called New World Order, which is destroying religious morality.
And finally we care for the whole mankind including you and us.
Mora, It will be better if you study the history of how Hindus annihilated Buddhists and their temples. It will also be good if you collect the statistics about the deaths caused by Tamils, Naxals, Sikhs, Hindus in anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim riots, Naxals and Maoists. While I do not blame the religion for the deeds of the communities, this is only to show you the reality. I myself believe in coming together of all religions against the so-called New World Order, which is destroying religious morality.
And finally we care for the whole mankind including you and us. It will be good if we help each other rather than try to defame each other.
Silliest article ever,
“Sab ka Maalik Aik” (The Lord of All is One), which is almost exactly what La Ilaha Illallah(There is no god except One GOD).
Look how different they are, the first is preaching the second one is command/order. We Hindus also believe in God BUT with many forms and shapes and lives. So When Sai baba told sabka malik ek hai he said, all gods are equal Ram, Shiva,Allah… and whoever your preach it goes to one god based. For e.g. does everybody reach Delhi in same route? It depends on where they are located, similarly we Hindus have found a route thousands of years ago and you Muslims have found the route 600AD from far away desert region Sauidi Arabia, your devotion to Allha, our devotion to Ram,Shiv reach same destination.
WHY THE HELL YOU WANT TO IMPOSE RULES AND REGULATIONS LIKE DON’T WORSHIP OTHER GODS BUT ONLY ONE etc HOW ABOUT TEACHING YOU DON’T EAT ANY FOOD EXCEPT CHAPATHI EVEN THOUGHT BOTH SATISFY HUNGER?
STOP THIS “NO GOD EXCEPT ONE” KIND DICTATUMS i.e. THE ROOT CAUSE FOR MANY CLASHES.
Sorry, but your interpretation of Vedic verses are wrong, In Vedas it tells that the creator himself worships the creation. So, the vedas urge mankind to worship the creator by worshipping his creation. So this is absent in Kuran. Woship of diversity and nature as an honor of the creator is central to Vedic Sanatana Dharma,
Also We have the aspect of avatars, Formless God taking forms, Rama , Krishna were not prophets but Avatars. Avatars of the absolute God.
Islam worships only formless God, A Hindu , it is ordained upon him to worship either formless or form, Both are ordained for a Hindu.
In Hindu we have the aspect of reincarnation, The Islami does not have reincarnation.
The way to heaven for an Islami is only through faith , faith in God and his messenger. The way to heaven for a Hindu is through Dharma, Only by being and doing good can any human being accordingly reach heaven