Posted on: 22 Feb 2004
The Greatest Religion: Islam is the greatest religion in this world and I am not making this statement without reason. The reason is that Islam is the only religion, which deals with practical spiritual efforts without any trace of theoretical gossip. This religion shows excellent tolerance towards other religions. Islam says that you should even protect the non-believers of Islam if they pray for protection from you. After protecting them, you can give them the message of Allah and send them to a protected place. After being protected, the protected person will show great interest in hearing the message. This is the message of Islam and all other religions should appreciate this. This proves the broad-mindedness of this greatest religion. Islam says “Allahussamad”, which means that everything and everybody depends on Allah and Allah does not depend on any thing or any body. The same statement is found in the Holy Veda (Hinduism) “Yato jaataani jeevanti, Ekena vijnatena” which means that this entire world depends on Brahman alone. Brahman in Hinduism, Allah in Islam and Jehovah in Christianity mean the same all-pervading formless Lord. The Gita (Hinduism) also says the same “Mayi sarvamidam protam”, which means that the entire world depends on the Brahman.
Sacrifice of Wealth
Holy Islam speaks about the sacrifice of the fruit of work (money) through the word ‘jakaat’. This word says that every rich man is expected to practice sacrifice within the limits of his wealth. Islam says that people love money (khudaan) too much—Al Fajr, 20. Islam says that by the sacrifice of money, your wealth will not decrease and in fact your wealth will increase by sacrifice. Islam also mentions that by the sacrifice of money, your wealth becomes most pure. It says that by the sacrifice of money, you have followed the instruction of Allah and Allah will be immensely pleased with you. The Holy Bible also says the same “Where your money lies, there your heart lies too”. The Veda also says that the sacrifice of money will please the Lord (Dhanena tyagenaike). The Gita also emphasizes throughout the scripture that one can please the Lord only by the sacrifice of the fruit of the work (money). The Gita says “Karmajam buddhi yuktahi phalam tyaktva” which means that realized scholars sacrifice the fruit of their work (money). Islam says that one should keep the wealth required for the maintenance of oneself and one’s family. This is also told in the Veda that one should keep the minimum required wealth for one’s family expenses and the rest should be sacrificed for the work of the Lord, instead of storing it (Tyaktena bhunjeethah).
Islam says that the love for Allah should be greater than the love for money. Islam says that ‘inkhiad’ which means that accepting the message of Allah by mouth is not final. But ‘kabul’ which means knowing the message of Allah and practicing it is essential. According to Islam, Allah says that if the message is not practiced, there is no use. Exactly this wonderful concept is emphasized in the Veda and the Gita. The Veda says that words and feelings do not touch the Lord. Only the sacrifice of wealth can prove the real love for the Lord (Yato vacho nivartante apraapya manasa saha, Dhanena tyagena). The Gita also says that real sacrifice of the fruit of work is greater than knowledge and devotion (Dhyanaat karma phala tyagagah). In the Bible also, Jesus asks a rich man to sacrifice wealth. But the rich man fails to do it. Then Jesus says “A camel may pass through the eye of a needle but a rich man can never reach God”. Islam wants people to not over-enjoy wealth. It is also told in the Gita (Bhogaishwarya Prasaktanaam). Over-enjoyment (bhoga) brings diseases (roga). Islam accepts the existence of the soul and says that it cannot be seen by the naked eyes. The Gita also says exactly the same (Vimudaah nanupashyanti). Islam and Christianity say that there will be a final enquiry and the non-believers will be thrown into hell, which is the ever-lasting fire according to Christianity. The Gita also says the same (Kshipaamyaasura Yonishu). According to Islam and Christianity there is no rebirth for the soul. Hinduism accepts the rebirth but if the inner essence of Hinduism is understood, it does not contradict the other two religions. According to Hinduism there is no human rebirth for the soul (Jantunaam nara janma durlabhamidam—Shankara). The essence of all the three religions in this point is like this: Human rebirth is impossible according to Hinduism. Therefore, rebirth in the other two religions means human rebirth alone i.e.; there is no human rebirth for any soul. The hell and everlasting fire is nothing but rebirth as animals or worms in the gutter. Once one enters the cycle of such births, the soul will not return back to human birth.
Islam says that sin was also created by Allah and says that Allah knows the logic behind it. The Veda also says the exact same point “Sa idam sarvamasrujata”. What is the logic in the creation of the sin by the Lord? If only good exists and the fruit of good actions i.e., happiness alone exists, then living beings will do only good actions and they will have to continuously enjoy happiness which is definitely boring. One cannot eat sweets continuously. A break is necessary and some hot dish must be tasted inbetween the continuous eating of sweets. The Gita also says that both summer and winter are essential for real enjoyment (Shitoshna sukha duhkhadah). This logic proves that the Lord was very kind to His children in creating the sin.
Practical Spirituality
Hindus mainly concentrate on prayers, which is the sacrifice of words. Christians mainly concentrate on love and kindness, which is the sacrifice of mind. But Muslims are concentrating on practical sacrifice, which is spirituality in action. Muslims do not believe in showing love through words and feelings. Their tradition is to show love in practice, through actions. A Muslim prays to the Lord everyday for a certain number of times. Whether it is a holiday or not, whether the time of prayer is convenient or not, a Muslim does his prayers even if he is travelling. Hindus pray only in their leisure time everyday. Christians pray throughout the day on Sunday, which is a holiday. But look at the Muslim! Irrespective of the day and time, he prays to the Lord. This firm faith, regularity and discipline of a Muslim please the Lord to a great extent. The entire world must learn this aspect from the great Islam. I am neither a Hindu, nor a Muslim, nor a Christian. I am a man belonging to the entire universe. For me all the religions are one and the same. All the Hindus, Muslims, Christians and people following other religions are my brothers. I love all the religions. One must help any person in this world irrespective of his religion and the great Islam has emphasized this aspect.