An introduction to Hindu Scriptures

An introduction to Hindu Scriptures

Introduction

Hinduism is the misnomer of Sanatan dharma that is professed by more than 80 million people in India. It actually refers to set of belief and customs. In this article we will throw light over sacred scriptures of Hinduism. When it is asked to a Muslim about their holy book then answer is – Quran; similarly our Christian brethren answer – Bible. But when same question is asked to hindus then there is different answers; some may say – bhagwad geeta, some will say ramayan and a very few Vedas. Let’s have brief idea about the scriptures of Hinduism in order to understand each other better.

Scriptures of Hinduism

Vedas
Upnishad
Darshan
Puranas
Itihaas
Smriti

The precise time of origin of each of these is not known. What people say about time is nothing but speculation. In fact – in terms of remembering the time of origin of any of hindu scriptures we have no information at all. No proof for whatever people say about the time of origin of any books. However the only thing guaranteed is the order in which they came into existence. For example – there is no difference of opinion that Vedas are the earliest, then upnishad were authored, then puranas came.

A. VEDAS

Vedas are the earliest scripture of Hinduism. They are held most scared by knowledgeable people of Hinduism. Vedas are considered ISH-WANI or God’s word. Vedas are said to be APAURISHAY meaning “Not from human being” or “divine”. There is no precise information available about the time of origin of Vedas. Regarding Vedas being God’s word or Not from Islamic perspective – is beyond the scope of the article. However I will only mention that though majority of Muslims are silent or negate Vedas being God’s word – we have several proofs based on which we say that Vedas too were word of God like torah,zabur,injeel . This discussion can be taken separately in other article.

Vedas are divided into 4 books. These 4 books are further divided with various terminologies. I will mention the latest rule of division for each ved.

1.Rigved: It is considered to be most scared and oldest Vedas. Rigved is divided into 10 mandal. Each mandal is divided into sukt and each sukt is divided into mantr. It is similar to the division of Quran: 30 para, each para has several ruku and each ruku has several ayah.

For example: “The Only Lord of all created beings. He fixed and holdeth up this earth and heavens. What gods besides Him shall we adore with our oblation?” – Rigved 10:121:1 means this statement is given in rigved 10th mandal, 121st suk and 1st mantr.
Remember there is no shlokas in Vedas. Vedas contain only mantr.

2.Samved: As per the latest division samved is divided into 1875 mantr.

3.Yajurved: It is divided into 40 adhyay and each adhyay is divided into mantr.

For example: “Those who worship natural things enter into darkness of hell, those who worship man made things enter more into darkness of hell” – Yajurved 40:9 – means 40th adhyay and 9th mantr.

4.Atharvaved: It is divided into 20 kand, and each kand is divided into sukt and each sukt into mantr.
For example: “He (God) does not die, nor grows old” – atharvaved 10:8:32 – means Atharvaved 10th kand, 8th sukt and 32nd mantr.

Vedas are full of monotheism. It is absent from idol worship. If someone does not misinterpret then it is free from multiple god concept. It will require a separate book to elaborate these points.

B. UPNISHAD

Primarily 108 upnishad are accepted. They were authored by scholars. They are not claimed to be God’s word. Upnishad contain word of wisdom, about monotheism about social life etc. They too are free from any concept of idol worship.

Probably chandogya upnishad was the starting point of the concept of birth-re birth cycle. Also through upnishad caste system got force. The status of Brahmin was raised.
“A man who steals the gold of a brahmin, he (i.e. a brahmin) who drinks liquor, he who dishonours his teacher’s bed and he who kills a brahmin—these four fall, as also a fifth who associates with them”- Chandogya Upnishad: Part 5, chapter 10, verse 9

However with the upnishad playing with the God’s word (Vedas) has started. Before upnishad only Ved was there – which was considered God’s word. But human interference in God’s word started with the writing of Illopnishad. All hindu scholars agree that illopnishad was the first upnishad – and to your surprise it contains word by word last chapter of Yajurved i.e. 40th Chapter of yajurved was written separately as a book in the form of illopnishad.

C. DARSHAN

Darshan means philosophy. There are 6 books of darshan. They contain philosophy, word of wisdom and monotheistic talk. Again they too free from idol worship concept. Out of these 6 darshan the most famous and popular is uttar-mimansa-darshan which is also called Vedant. It was written by badrayan.

D. PURANAS

Primarily 18 puranas are accepted. Puarans are the work of much later time than Vedas or upnishad. Some of the famous puranas are: shrimad bhagwad puran, shiv puran, Vishnu puran, kalki puran, bhawishy puran, matasya puran, garud puran etc. Puarans does contain the concept of idol worship, the concept of multiple gods, gods like human beings, marriage of gods, fights of gods etc. In fact what is practiced today in Hinduism is not vedic religion rather puranic religion. In shrimadbhagwad puran Krishan is projected as superior god, in Vishnu puran Vishnu is projected as superior, in shiv puran shiva is projected as superior.
The story of Prophet Adam, eve, Prophet Noah and the great flood is mentioned in detailed in puranas. Also puranas contain detailed description of paradise and hell as described in Islam.

E. ITIHAAS

Itihas means history. Two most famous books of itihas are : Ramayan and Mahabharat

1. RAMAYAN

Ramayan is the great epic written by valmiki ji. However the ramayan that we know today and that is read in temples is NOT the valmiki ramayan but tulsidas written ramcharitmanas. Ramcharitmanas was written during the time of Akbar and its mostly read, preached and telecasted through TV Serial. While valmiki ramayan projected ram only as a human being or an obedient son – ramcharitmanas projects ram as God. Valmiki ramayan speaks about king dashrath having more than 360 wives – ramcharitmanas speaks about he having only 3 wives. Similarly as per valmiki ramayan Ram had several wives. (For more information: click here – )

2. MAHABHARAT

This is also one of the greatest literary works in Sanskrit. This epic was written originally by Ved vyas. However what ved vyas wrote was a book called jay. It contained 8000 shlokas. After him Vaishampayan and other added shlokas in the book and named it bharat. Number of shlokas was increased from 8000 to 24,000. And today mahabharat contains more than 1,00,000 or 1 lakh shlokas and it is now called mahabhrata. So the book that was originally written with 8000 shlokas – today contain more than 1 lakh shlokas. So on an average out of every 13 shlokas in mahabharat 12 are adulteration and only 1 is as per original book.

BHAGWAD GEETA

Practically it is considered most sacred by hindus. Bhagwad Geeta is nothing but a small part of Mahabharat. It is from the bhism parv of mahabharat. Geeta contains conversation between arjuna and Krishna. In the battlefield when arjuna refused to take arms against his relatives then Krishna encouraged him to fight for truth and justice. Now as I already mentioned that today’s mahabharat contains every 12 shlokas out of 13 as adulteration or interpolation. So whatever krihna / arjuna say in geeta there is only 1/13 chance (on an average) that they have said as per original mahabharat.

F. SMRITI

Most popular book under this category is manusmriti. This is the book of Hindu law. Hindu laws are derived from this book. It emphasizes lot on caste system. However I would like to add that one should not get confused by the name that MANU was the author of this book. . It is of very later origin. Manu was not the author rather it was in his remembrance that book was written and attributed to him.

These are very brief information about Hindu scriptures. One should know it in order to have better understanding of Hinduism.

If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation /kufr /shirk/biddat – have faith
in Allah and leave it to him to judge

Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion
feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com

Use of previous scriptures (Bible, Vedas etc) for Dawah – Allowed or not?

By Khurshid Imam

 

 A. Introduction

Almighty God reveals his words to Prophet for the guidance of mankind. This revelation in the form of book is called holy book. There have been several revelations from Almighty God. Quran is the last in the series. Pre Quranic revelations are not in their 100% pure form today because they could not be preserved with the passage of time. Holy Vedas, Holy bible etc come into this category.

Now what should be approach of Muslims towards Vedas or bible? Since Hindus and Christians refer to their books Vedas and Bible respectively – what should be attitude of Muslims while dealing with them? Lets ponder over these points with UNBIASED and NEUTRAL mind.

* Dawah: Inviting people to God/Islam.

* Hadees: Words/events/actions attributed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

* Some people may object why i m referring vedas along with bible. Most of the muslims are of idea that bible was originally from God but not vedas. Since i m of the understanding that vedas were originally from God hence i m using it along with bible.Lets leave this topic as of now. Will discuss in future inshallah.

 

B. Some Muslims have objection against using previous scriptures (bible, Vedas etc) for dawah.

Some Muslims say that one should not use Bible, Vedas etc for dawah purpose. Their argument is:

1. Since Quran is the only uncorrupted book of Almighty God today so we should give dawah using Quran only. We can not refer a book that is not 100% pure.

2. Also people quote a hadees to support their view. This is explained later in the article.

3. A few ignorant even go to the extent to say that one should not even possess bible etc.

 

C. Revisiting basics

Again: the most commonly repeated mistake by majority of Muslim. Not understanding an issue UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF QURAN. When people don’t look at Quran, don’t analyze what Allah has revealed, don’t ponder over how Quran has guided and directly try to reach at conclusion just by looking at hadees in isolation then they are bound to make mistake.                         

Quran is the final criteria in judging:

” The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion …….” [Quran, Surah Baqrah 2: 185]

Please mark the purpose of Quran.

1.It is for whole mankind. Quran is not exclusive property of any particular sect, religion, group of race.

2.Quran contains clear proofs. The proofs given by Quran are self explanatory.

3.Quran is for guidance purpose. We MUST seek guidance from Quran.

4.Quran is the criterion – it means in any matter Quran will have the last say; what is right and what is wrong – what Quran decides will be final.

Quran is word of Almighty God.

Quran is word of Almighty God.

Quran is word of Almighty God.

No wonder Muslims claim Quran to be word of God loudly but when it comes to ACTUALLY believing and practicing; many fail miserably. Quran says that one MUST judge as per the revelation of Almighty God.

“…..If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are Unbelievers (kaferoon)”. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:44]

“….And if any fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are wrong-doers (Zalemoon)”. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:45]

Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are those who rebel (Faseqoon). [Quran, Surah Maida 5:47]                                                                                           

To you We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee…….;[Quran, Surah Maida 5:48]

And this (He commands): you judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to you….. [Quran, Surah Maida 5:49]

Above ayah of Quran make very clear that if we judge against the guidance of Quran then it is kufr / zulm / fisq / absolutely wrong. See how much emphasis Allah has given on judging from what he has revealed.

 

D. One CAN definitely use previous scripture for Dawah

1. The misunderstanding

The Hadees which is used by people for prohibiting use of bible etc for dawah is as follows:

“Narrated Jabir Ibn Abdullah : Umar ibn al-Khattab brought to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) a copy of the Torah and said: ‘Allah’s Messenger, this is a copy of the Torah’. He (Allah’s Messenger) kept quiet and he (Umar) began to read it. The color of the face of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) underwent a change, whereupon Abu Bakr said: “Would that your mother mourn you, don’t you see the face of Allah’s Messenger?’ Umar saw the face of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) and said: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Messenger. We are well pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as Prophet’. Whereupon Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said : ‘By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to appear before you and you were to follow him, leaving me aside, you would certainly stray into error; for if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would have definitely followed me’. (Sunan Ad-Darimi, Vol. 1, Hadith No. 435)

Looking at this in isolation and without context people conclude that it’s prohibited or haraam to read bible forever. Please note following important points:

1. This event happened in the early stage of medina life. At this time various Islamic laws were being implemented and were supposed to be followed by all.
2. During a time when Quranic eco-socio-politico system was being implemented it was not only undesirable but also dangerous to get immersed into laws of previous revelations. This was to make sure that people understand and adhere to the Quranic laws and there should not be any kind of fitnah.
3. Now Prophet Muhammad and laws given by him should be understood and clear into the minds of ummah that’s why prophet referred – “for if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would have definitely followed me’”
4. Not only hazrat umar was reading the part of torah but also he used to go to jewish school baitul-midras for reading torah.
5. This apparent prohibition of reading torah was just a temporary one as Prophet later permitted to quote from the scriptures of people of the book as it is evident from the following hadees:

The Prophet said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israel, for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.”(Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith no. 3461)

2. Quran associates Muslims with previous scriptures

After freeing mind from the misunderstanding of hadees lets ponder seriously over below points.

Contrary to the popular belief; Quran associates believers to previous scriptures rather dissociating. It’s surprising but true. Those who ponder over Quran will have better idea of it. Quran confirms about the previous revelations sent by Allah time and again (even though they got changed with the time).

Quran NOT only mentions about previous scriptures, but also confirm that they were from Allah. Quran is full of references where Allah speaks about Quran confirming previous revelations. Go through these ayah and see how universal message of Quran is. Quran relates a believer to previous scriptures. For example:

1. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:40-41
2. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:89
3. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:97
4. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:101
5. Quran, Surah Al Imran  3:3
6. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:47
7. Quran, Surah Maida 5:46
8. Quran, Surah Maida 5:48
9. Quran, Surah Ana’m 6:92
10. Quran, Surah Yunus 10:37
11. Quran, Surah Yusuf 12:111
12. Quran, Surah fatir 35:31
13. Quran, Surah Zumur 39:33
14. Quran, Surah Ahqaf 46:11-12
15. Quran, Surah Ahqaf 46:30
16. Quran Surah Juma 61:6

Not only this: Quran also tells believers to believe in previous revelations and not distinguish between them. Look at :

1. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:136, 285
2. Quran, Surah al imran 3:84
3. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:152

What does it mean today to believe in previous revelations when they are corrupted? It means:

• There were several revelations from God; though except Quran all are changed, interpolated and concocted.
• We should not completely cut off from previous scripture; rather we can use those for dawah purpose i.e. while inviting people to God or islam.
• Quran remains the only uncorrupted and pure revelation from God today.
• Those portions of previous books that matches with Quran – we can say – if not in exact letter; the jist of this part was from God.

3. Quran admits that previous revelation have been changed, yet……

Please keep in mind that Quran admits that previous scriptures have been changed. Quran condemns adulteration in previous revelations.

“Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say: “This is from Allah,” to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby”. Quran, Surah Baqrah 2:79

Even at the time of Prophet Muhammad, bible was very much distorted. Even that time Christians used to believe in trinity, Jesus as son of God etc.

“O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not “Trinity” : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs”. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:171

“They do blaspheme who say: “(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” Quran, Surah Maida 5:72

“They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them”. Quran, Surah Maida 5:73

4. Quran permits Muslims to Quote Bible, Vedas etc

“Say: “O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we are Muslims (we surrender our will to God).” Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:64

·   Important point is: At one place Quran admits that belief of Christianity with regard to monotheism and status of Jesus was distorted (4:171, 5:72-73) and on the other hand here (3:64) God is asking Muslims to come to common terms with people with previous scriptures? And that also regarding worshipping of One God? How it is possible? The answer is : This common terms is  achieved by looking at respective scriptures. When we look at Quran, bible and Vedas then we have to look at the common teachings.

·   It means that even though previous scriptures are changed believers are recommended to talk to non muslims by talking about common terms that is mentioned in their scripture and Quran. This is amazing hikmah (wisdom) of Quran. This is all-inclusive approach of Quran. You believe in Bible to be God’s word? Ok, then lets come and agree to the scriptural quotations that describes God as ONE and ONLY.

·   Not only this but 3:64 also guarantees that oneness of God is still preserved in their scriptures (even though tauheed is mixed up with shirk, yet Quran asks us to talk about similarities). When we actually look into Bible, Vedas then we DO find that oneness of God is mentioned their (even though shirk is also mentioned). This is again a great miracle of almighty God that he will preserve tauheed (oneness of God) even if previous scripture is distorted.

·   Wisdom of Quran continues and it asks people of the book to at least ESTABLISH what was revealed  to them. This is very important.

   Say  “O people of the Scripture! You have nothing till you act according to the Taurat (Torah), the  Injeel (Gospel), and what has been sent down to you from your Lord …”. Quran, Surah Maida 5:68

   Usually Muslims scholars ignore this kind of ayah. If non Muslims are not ready to follow and implement Quran then at least let them establish what was revealed to them from Allah.

   We know the famous incidence wherein Prophet judged among jews with torah (Again keep  in mind: that torah was not 100% pure even that time. It had interpolations).  

A Jew and a Jewess were brought to Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) on a charge of committing an illegal sexual intercourse. The Prophet (pbuh) asked them. “What is the legal punishment (for this sin) in your book (Torah)?” They replied, “Our priests have innovated the punishment of blackening the faces with charcoal and Tajbiya.” Abdullah bin Salam said, “O Allah’s Messenger, tell them to bring the Torah.” The Torah was brought, and then one of the jews put his hand over the Divine Verse of the Rajam (stoning to death) and started reading what preceded and what followed it. On that, Ibn Salam said to the jew, “Lift your hand.” Behold ! The Divine Verse of the Rajam was under his hand. So Allah’s Messenger ordered that the two (sinners) be stoned to death, and they were stoned. Ibn ‘Umar added: so both of them were stoned at the Balat and I saw the jew sheltering the Jewess.

(Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 8, Hadith No. 6819)

So prophet judged between Jews with their scripture. But wait! Look at the Quranic ayah that describes this event. See the word of Almighty God. Allah is saying why these jews came to you for judgement when judgement of Allah was therein torah?

“But why do they come to you for decision, when they have law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah. yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not (really) People of Faith”. Quran, Surah maida 5:43

Allah makes clear that when these people were having WORD of ALLAH (at least that portion that is under discussion) then how come they were not implementing it?

Immediately a question comes to mind – “today: how we will come to know what was revealed by Allah?”. Obviously Quran and truth will be the criteria to judge this. Portion matching with Quran can be called from God.

E. Conclusion

1. Some Muslims think that its prohibited to use previous scriptures like Bible, Vedas etc for dawah purpose. Some ignorant go to the extreme and say that a Muslim is not permitted to possess these books.
2. Quran has time and again confirmed about previous revelations being from Allah even though they were changed by people.
3. Even at the time of Prophet Muhammad bible was changed. “Jesus as son of God”, “trinity” etc has crept into Christians that time. Yet God tells in Quran to speak about similarities between these scriptures.
4. In fact Quran give the magical formula that in dawah talk about common terms. These common terms can be determined ONLY through their scriptures.
5. The extreme wisdom of quran is that even if people of book don’t come to Quran; minimum requirement from them is to establish what was revealed to them from Allah.
6. It’s completely permitted to use previous scriptures for dawah or related purpose.

 

* If you don’t agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation / kufr / shirk / biddat – have faith in Allah and leave it to him to judge.

 

* Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore, India. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com

 

The article can be found at: http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/2012/03/using-bible-vedas-etc-for-dawah.html and same has been attached in the mail.