In India, I observe that Christian and Muslims are competing with each other to convert the Hindus into their respective folds. They mock the Hindu religion, particularly its Idolism. They want to become dominant over the Hindus. You can see this is happening all over India.
When I read the Quran and Islamic historical books, I was surprised to notice that a similar situation was present in Arabia before or during the time Islam was established. And that situation was -- the Jews and Christians were competing with each other to convert the Arab into their religious folds. They, likewise, used to mock the Arab religion, namely its Idolism. They wanted to become dominant over the Arab.
There were sufficient populations of Christians and Jews residing in Mecca and Medina in those days. The Arabs were attracted toward these religions and already were following certain tradition of these religions, such as circumcision. They used to believe the myths of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Issac, Ismael etc. Muhammad’s first wife Khadija’s relatives, even probably Khadija herself, were Christians.
At the time, all the Arab Tribes were following Idolism, such as in Hinduism. They used to pray to their Idol deities. Muhammad watched this and even practised the same in his early life. He was afraid that the Jews and Christians will destroy the Arab culture and identity. He had phobia of the Jews and Christians as all nationalist Hindus in India today feel the same towards Islam and Christianity in the face of aggressive proselytism of Hindus into those religions, because at stake for them is the Indian culture and identity. Muhammad felt the same towards the Jews and Christians at that time. Muhammad did not want his people convert to Judaism and Christianity, because that would have erased Arab culture. In India today, Muslims have replaced the Jews.
As has been mentioned before founding Islam, Muhammad was a follower of Idolism. His grandfather, a high priest of the Kaaba Temple, was disciple of Lord Shiva, and an emblem of it (Shivlinga/The Blackstone) was placed in Kabaa.
Religion-wise, a similar society was present in Arabia in those days as is in India today. The Jews and Christians were trying to convert the Arabs. This can be proven by these verses of the Quran:
- The Jews and the Christians will not approve of you, unless you follow their creed. Say, “God’s guidance is the guidance.” Should you follow their desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will have in God neither guardian nor helper. (2:120)
- And they say, “Be Jews or Christians, and you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, the religion of Abraham, the Monotheist; he was not an idolater.” (2:135)
This clearly establishes that there were some clashes between the Jews/Christians and the Arabs. There used to be many claimants of Godmanship (prophets/messengers) in Arabia in those days. These prophets were observing the situation of Arab people. They observed that society become de-organised due to idolism, monotheism makes its organized and aggressive. The Jews and Christians are organized because they are monotheists. Societies that follow idolism cannot become organized. So they started professing monotheism in Arab society hoping to replace idolism.
Muhammad wanted to organize the Arabs against the Jews and Christians. Hence he professed monotheism to turn the Arabs into an organized force. Since the Arab had no monotheistic literature, he stole story of Abraham from the Torah. He established Islam on basis of Judaism. He changed/re-wrote the story of Abraham’s sacrifice.
What is this story? Abraham had two sons - Issac and Ishmael. Issac was born from his legitimate wife Sara; Ishmael was born of Hagar, the bondswoman of Sara. Abraham attempted to sacrifice Issac, who was miraculously saved by God, and the Jew are the descendants of Issac. So, the Jews are legitimate follower of Abraham.
But Muhammad claimed that Abraham had sacrificed Ishmael (the son of bondswomen) and the Arab are the descendants of Ishmael. Since the Allah has chosen Ishmael, the Arabs are true followers of Abraham. This is the main fighting issue between the Jews and Muslims. The Jews said they are legitimate, Muhammad claimed Allah graced the Arabs.
Since Idolism de-organizes society, Muhammad banned idolism, in order to organize the power of the Arabs and established Islam. To give the Arab power a military structure, he started organizing a system of prayer, namely Namaj or Salah (kindly read the article ‘Islam is Militant Arab organization’ on Islam-watch.org by Ajay N). He stole ritual rites of the Namaj from the idol-worshipers. All idol-worshiper bend before their idol deities, and touch their head on the earth, i.e. on the foot of the Idol/God. Muslims stand in row and bend, touch their foreheads on the earth, stand and repeat this. This physical drill organized them into a military force.
The main aspect of Islam, thus, is to organize the Arab people. Islam is not a religion, it is organization of the Arabs. It follows the doctrines of Judaism. Based on the literature of Jews, namely the Torah, Muhammad wrote the Quran. And he change Qibla (direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Mecca. This change was made to make Islam Arab culture and nationalism centric. He preferred the Arabic language and promoted Arab Nationalism through Islam.
A Hindu response to Islamic proselytism in India
I can re-word the above mentioned verses of the Quran is as under:
- The Muslims and the Christians will not approve of you, unless you follow their creed. Say, “God’s guidance is the guidance.” Should you follow their desires, after the knowledge had already come to you through Veda. Only the God profess by Veda is true.
- And they say, “Be Muslims or Christians, and you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, the religion of Veda, the Monotheist; he was not an idolater.”
This monotheism will be beneficial for India and the Indians. Let Muslims and Christians continue mocking idolism as much as they wish, but I will not feel mocked, because idolism is better than the narrow mentality of monotheist. We Hindus can be proud of the fact that idolism professes pluralism and multiculturalism, which is necessary for peace in society.
Hindus must not profess killing of innocent people/disbelievers, as this type of religion-based terrorism gives bad name to faith and society. Killing in the name of God does not give good name to God/Religion. There should not be any place for terrorism (Jihad) in religion. God never profess terrorism. But Islam’s God profess it, because main aspect of Islam is to fight the Jews, Christians and other faith-believers and spread Arab Nationalism (imperialism) all over the world. This is why the Islam was established.