Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I am not a Muslim. I believe in One God though. I am not from any of the Abrahamic religions either. I am a Hindu. My belief is not even contrary to what the Hindu philsophy ultimately preaches which is submitting to One power, the Ultimate truth. I however do not claim to be an expert in any religion or philosophy but just want to get some of my questions answered. When we all believe in the One Truth and One Power, it has to be the same; how can there be many? If there are not many then why should anyone think he or she is worshipping a different God and be exclusive therefore? If a person believs in the same God, what does it matter if he should live as a Hindu or a Muslim as long as he is living justly? The Islamic way of living is a practical way of living as desired by God, but there is something in me that tells me that it cannot be the only way. I cannot believe God to be so petty as to insist on a certain name or food or ritual. The purpose of Islam should be to reach the sub concious and make it aware of the Supreme One. If any other religion or any other way of life is achieving the same purpose, why the struggle? You can call charity "Daan" or "Salaat". You can do "Namaz" or "Prarthana", ultimately you are reaching the same goal. Then why the struggle? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Hindu one god

In the name of God, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever God guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but The One and Only True God Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Statement: I am not a Muslim. I believe in One God though. I am not from any of the Abrahamic religions either. I am a Hindu. My belief is not even contrary to what the Hindu philsophy ultimately preaches which is submitting to One power, the Ultimate truth.

All Praise is due only to our common Creator, Who created everything in existence and manifested so many of His Signs to us, that regardless of the difference in our paths or religions; you, us, and all mankind stand united as brothers and sisters in humanity to declare and accept that there is no creator, except the One and Only Creator, The One and Only God, The One and Only True Power, and The One and Only Ultimate Truth!

If that is the belief you hold as our Hindu brother in humanity that there is no god but the One and Only True God; then you and us are indeed united in this belief and claim, which forms the absolute foundation of the our way of life called ‘Islam’.

Your Statement: I however do not claim to be an expert in any religion or philosophy but just want to get some of my questions answered.

Absolutely brother. Our forum is open to discussion and comments from all our brothers in humanity, whether they are our Hindu brothers, or Christian brothers, or Jewish brothers , or Muslim brothers, or even our atheist brothers.

It is only when we leave aside and respect our differences, and come to what is common between us and our beliefs; will we be able to understand each other and our beliefs in the correct light and format.

But man has made himself so petty and so prejudiced, then he only wants to see the other through his own opaque and hatred filled filters; it is only those who rise above hate and begin to love and respect one another, in spite of their differences, that they would be able to comprehend the relationship our Creator has enjoined upon us in humanity. How could one possibly recognize and appreciate one’s Creator, when one cannot even bring himself to respect and love His this supreme creation called mankind?

Your Question: When we all believe in the One Truth and One Power, it has to be the same; how can there be many?

Respected brother, allow us to quote you a few verses from our Holy Book, which we believe was revealed by the Creator Himself; for it is absolutely in conformity with your above beautiful statement of truth.

God Says in His Holy Book Chapter 27 Surah Naml verses 59-66:

59 Say: Praise be to God, and peace on His servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better? The One God or the false gods they associate with Him?

60 Or who has created the heaven and the earth and who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty and delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides God? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.

61 Or who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water? (Can there be another) god besides God? Nay, most of them know not.

62 Or who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides God? Little it is that ye (O mankind) heed!

63 Or who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings going before His Mercy? (Can there be another) god besides God? High is God, above what they associate with Him!

64 Or who originates Creation then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides God? Say "Bring forth your argument if ye are telling the truth!"

65 Say: None in the heavens or on earth except God knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).

66 Still less can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter: nay they are in doubt and uncertainty thereat; Nay they are blind thereunto!

We, as muslims, bear witness to the Truth with our respected Hindu brother, that there is absolutely no god, but the One and Only True God, The Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, and everything that exists in between.

Your Question: If there are not many then why should anyone think he or she is worshipping a different God and be exclusive therefore?

Indeed, we bear witness that there is no god, except the One and Only True God Who created; and thus He Alone deserves that His creation worship Him and Him Alone.

Respected brother, I cannot help but quote you the verses of the Quran which confirms your statement:

God Says in His Book Chapter 21 Surah Anbiyaa verse 25: Not a Messenger did We send before thee (O Mohamed) without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me Alone.

God Says in His Book Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 102: That is God, your Lord! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things: then worship ye Him Alone: and He hath Power to dispose of all affairs.

Your Questions: If a person believs in the same God, what does it matter if he should live as a Hindu or a Muslim as long as he is living justly? The Islamic way of living is a practical way of living as desired by God, but there is something in me that tells me that it cannot be the only way. I cannot believe God to be so petty as to insist on a certain name or food or ritual. The purpose of Islam should be to reach the sub concious and make it aware of the Supreme One. If any other religion or any other way of life is achieving the same purpose, why the struggle?

Beloved and respected brother in Humanity, herein we would respectfully have to disagree! God has bestowed on mankind two things which He has not bestowed on any in His creation:

Intelligence or the Power of Reasoning

A ‘free will’ to choose whatever Path or way of life one wishes to follow

With the bestowed intelligence upon man, man witnesses the innumerable and perfect creations of the Creator; and as you and us have been compelled by studying His various Signs in His creation, that logically there cannot be more than The One God Who created everything in existence.

After you and us have agreed to this Compelling Truth that there is Only One God, then naturally our intelligence should provoke us to answer these simple and basic questions:

Why has God created us?

Are we created to eat, drink and pro-create like the animals (who have no intelligence and free will); or is there a bigger mission for mankind?

Who will inform us of this mission? Should we assume it ourselves? Or has our Creator given this Right of informing us to someone else? Or is it only right that He Alone informs us of our mission for being created?

How will He inform us?

What do we get if we follow/reject His mission?

Is there anything more to this period of one worldly life? Should there be more?

What happens to man or his soul when he dies? Will it become dust? Will the soul come back? Will the soul not come back? Where does it go? What happens to it?

Is there a Day of Accounting in His Presence? Or is the accounting done in this very life?

Are there rewards/punishments after one dies? Should there be any?

Who has a right to inform us? Etc.

Beloved brother in humanity, if we remove our beliefs and prejudices, and try earnestly to answer each of the above questions using the intelligence and the power of reasoning bestowed upon us by our Creator, we must get an answer that agrees with our logic and intelligence.

We are more than willing to devote our time and efforts and share our humble knowledge with you in discussing the above questions, or any more that may arise; and we make God our witness, that our and your mission is not to enforce one’s belief over the other, but do this exercise in your and our earnest search for the Truth. If we can engage ourselves in this exercise with honesty and with humility, and use nothing but logic as our weapon to search the Truth; there is no reason why our differences should not narrow into insignificance.

We await your response in our earnestness in the search for the Truth. We humbly request you that we take one question at a time and come to an agreement before we move to the next; just like you and us have agreed in principle, using nothing but logic as our Criterion, that there is no god except the One and Only True God, Who created you, us, and everything in existence. That in itself is a huge and solid foundation and base to move forward.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to God’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. God Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan