Abstract:
Despite their distinct origins, Islam and Hinduism share profound spiritual, ethical, and philosophical commonalities. These similarities range from the emphasis on monotheism or supreme divinity, morality, and devotion, to shared values of compassion, justice, environmental consciousness, and the pursuit of inner peace. This article aims to examine these converging dimensions in depth by exploring primary scriptures such as the Qur’an and the Vedas, as well as commentaries from renowned scholars in both traditions. The study investigates how these religious philosophies contribute to a harmonious worldview, promoting peace, respect, and universal brotherhood. Employing qualitative content analysis, this research demonstrates that understanding such interfaith parallels can pave the way for constructive dialogue and religious pluralism in an increasingly polarized world.
Keywords:
Interfaith Dialogue; Comparative Religion; Islamic-Hindu Ethics; Universal Values; Religious Pluralism
Introduction:
Religion, throughout history, has functioned not merely as a belief system but as a comprehensive way of life, shaping societies, cultures, and worldviews. Among the world's great religions, Islam and Hinduism stand as two of the most ancient and influential traditions. While Islam originated in 7th-century Arabia and Hinduism evolved over millennia in the Indian subcontinent, both have left indelible marks on the spiritual, ethical, and philosophical thought of humanity.
It is often presumed that Islam and Hinduism represent two fundamentally divergent paradigms monotheistic versus polytheistic, prophetic versus non-prophetic, and scriptural versus ritualistic. However, a deeper, more contemplative inquiry reveals a rich substratum of shared values, common aspirations, and overlapping principles. The Qur’an and the Bhagavad Gita, for example, both urge adherents towards righteous conduct, detachment from material excess, humility before the Divine, and service to humanity.
Both traditions also emphasize the soul's journey, the importance of inner purification, and the role of moral behavior in achieving divine proximity. These resonances are not mere coincidences but reflect the universal spiritual truths that transcend cultural and historical boundaries.
In a global context marred by interreligious tensions and ideological divides, it becomes more essential than ever to revisit the sacred texts and ethical teachings of different religions not to erase their uniqueness but to highlight their convergences. This study, therefore, embarks on a comparative exploration, identifying the similarities between Islam and Hinduism, thereby fostering a platform for dialogue, peace-building, and mutual respect. It aims not just at academic comparison but also at practical implications for interfaith harmony.
Relevance of the Study:
In an age where religious identity is often politicized, resulting in communal conflict and social fragmentation, understanding the commonalities between religions offers a transformative tool for peace and coexistence. This study holds particular relevance for multi-religious societies like India, where both Islam and Hinduism have coexisted for centuries, albeit with periodic tensions. Through this exploration, the article endeavors to unearth a shared spiritual and ethical vision that can serve as a foundation for interfaith education, mutual tolerance, and social unity.
Methodology:
The research follows a qualitative and analytical methodology. Primary scriptures such as the Qur’an, Hadith, Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita have been consulted, alongside commentaries from classical and contemporary scholars including Imam al-Ghazali, Swami Vivekananda, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, and Radhakrishnan. The study also utilizes comparative hermeneutics to interpret similar spiritual messages across these traditions, identifying universal principles through textual exegesis and philosophical reflection.
Introducing Keywords:
1. Interfaith Dialogue: Interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions. In the context of Islam and Hinduism, it involves respectful discussions to explore shared beliefs, ethical teachings, and common spiritual goals, thereby fostering peace and mutual understanding.
2. Comparative Religion: This academic field examines similarities and differences across world religions. Through comparative analysis of Islamic and Hindu doctrines, rituals, and spiritual values, scholars gain insights into the universal elements of faith, such as ethics, compassion, and divine worship.
3. Islamic-Hindu Ethics: This refers to the moral principles shared by both religions, including justice, truthfulness, non-violence, and charity. These ethical overlaps highlight that both Islam and Hinduism, despite theological distinctions, encourage moral behavior as a pathway to divine proximity.
4. Universal Values: These are timeless moral and spiritual principles that transcend individual religions like compassion, humility, environmental responsibility, and inner purity. Recognizing universal values in Islam and Hinduism paves the way for unity in diversity.
5. Religious Pluralism: A concept that acknowledges the coexistence of diverse religious beliefs, religious pluralism encourages the appreciation of differences while focusing on common ethical ground. It aims to cultivate societal harmony through mutual respect and inclusivity.
Main Body:
1. Concept of Divine Unity:
While Islam is uncompromisingly monotheistic (Tawḥīd), affirming the oneness of God, Hinduism, despite its polytheistic appearances, also upholds a form of monism. The Upanishads speak of “Brahman” as the infinite, eternal, formless reality from which all existence emerges analogous in some respects to Allah in Islamic theology. The Qur’an states:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only.” (Qur’an 112:1)
Similarly, the Chandogya Upanishad declares:
“Ekam evadvitiyam Brahma”
“There is only one without a second.”
Both traditions, therefore, affirm a supreme, singular metaphysical source—transcendent yet immanent.
2. Moral and Ethical Teachings:
Ethical integrity is central to both traditions. Islam outlines core values such as truthfulness (ṣidq), justice (‘adl), and compassion (raḥmah), while Hinduism promotes values like ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), and dharma (righteous duty). Both religions prohibit theft, false witness, and harming others. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Similarly, the Bhagavad Gītā emphasizes:
“Steadfast in truth, in forgiveness, and self-restraint, these are the traits of the spiritually evolved.” (Gītā 16:1–3)
3. Rituals and Devotion:
Although expressed differently, both traditions practice prayer, fasting, and charity as means of spiritual growth. Salat and puja, Sawm and Upavāsa, Zakat, and Dāna all emphasize sacrifice, mindfulness, and service to others. Fasting, for instance, is considered a path to self-purification in both Islam (Qur’an 2:183) and Hinduism.
4. Emphasis on Inner Purification:
Tazkiyah (Islamic self-purification) and Atma-Jñāna (Hindu self-realization) both stress inner cleansing. The Sufi tradition in Islam and the Bhakti tradition in Hinduism emphasizes love, surrender, and direct experience of the Divine beyond ritual formalism.
5. Environmental Ethics:
Both Islam and Hinduism consider nature sacred. The Qur’an speaks of creation as signs (āyāt) of God, and harming nature is akin to corrupting divine order. Hindu texts personify rivers, trees, and mountains as sacred beings, and harming them is considered sinful.
6. Life After Death and Accountability:
While Islam believes in resurrection and a Day of Judgment, Hinduism speaks of reincarnation and karma. However, both agree that life has a moral order and consequences, and ultimate liberation (Jannah or Moksha) is reserved for the righteous.
7. Role of Prophets and Sages:
Though Hinduism lacks a prophetic tradition like Islam, it reveres sages (rishis) who receive divine wisdom, similar to prophets. Both traditions value revealed knowledge (Wahy/Shruti) and emphasize the transmission of divine truths through enlightened individuals.
Conclusion:
This comparative study highlights that Islam and Hinduism, despite doctrinal differences, converge on many fundamental spiritual and ethical fronts. These similarities are not accidental but speak to the universality of the human quest for truth, justice, and peace. By recognizing shared values such as devotion, ethical living, environmental stewardship, and spiritual growth, adherents of both faiths can foster deeper mutual respect and collaboration.
In a world increasingly marked by ideological rigidity and religious intolerance, such comparative explorations serve as crucial tools for education, peacebuilding, and interfaith harmony. As both the Qur'an and the Hindu scriptures advocate, the path to the Divine is best walked through wisdom, humility, and compassion. Let this recognition not remain in academic discourse but become a lived reality across our pluralistic societies.
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction…” (Qur’an 16:125)
“Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.” (Rig Veda 1.164.46)
This shared wisdom is humanity’s collective spiritual heritage awaiting rediscovery and mutual appreciation.