HINDU PERCEPTION OF ISLAM IN MODERN TIMES ABSTRACT V^ THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF Mottot of $t)tIos^op))p ISLAMIC STUDIES ShaiRii NiRhat Mohammed ashid UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF .^1 Prof. M. YASIN MAZHAR SIDDIQUI DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) 2006 i Atad ) 71 ;.l ^;/ ' k / - ' ' ' ''^i t •• Abstract Perceptions about 'others' are formed at various levels through several means. This work deals with image of Isjam as discerned' and envisaged by Hindu writers comprising of historians, philosophers, reUgious doctors, anthropologists, vedantists and even zealots of Hindutva and propaganda literature. The writings are selected to present the several possible shades of Hindu understanding. The methodology of content analysis is applied. These sources and the views of the authors are discussed in a systematic way. The personal interpretations of the researcher are avoided and quotations of authors are given as it is. The analysis is presented in a way so that unqualified charges of some authors are answered by the writings of other Hindu writers. Reflections are deliberated at tiie end of every topic to evaluate the assessments of the writers. The first chapter encapsulates evaluation of the fimdamental behefs of Islam. Discussion begins with the findings on the concept of God. All the t autliors have utiUzed creed or Kalkma-e-shahada as the evidence for their analysis. Few authors have employed attributes of God and Quranic verses too. The authors have undertaken comparison of monotheism with their own beliefs. The majority of authors have recognized that Islam presents an idea of universal God and not as the God of Muslims alone. However, a few of them have serious defects in their understanding about this concept of God in Islam. Concept of Prophethood and specially the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) is scrutinized through oriental works of his biography. Due to the absence of this concept in popular Hindu culture, authors have reacted in assuming this oflRce in variety of ways. The personality of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) too oscillates between various propositions of admiration and condemnation. Many of tlie Hindu charges against Prophet are direct adaptation of Oriental works. The primary understanding that prophet was the last and final messenger of God and not the originator of Islam has been overlooked. However the distinct feature is that majority of them have praised the character of tiie Prophet (SAW), including those who criticized his teachings. The findings on Quran as a divine revelation assumes divergent views. The enquiries are carried caused out about Quraii's arrangement and contents. Few Hindus attempted at the complete or partial translations of the Quraii. The Hindu interactions and experiences of hfe-hereafter is disoriented. More importance is given to the description of Hell and Heaven than to the essence of Akhirah. In the second chapter the views of Hindus on the forms of worship: prayers {Salah\ charity (Zakah), fasting (Sawm) and pilgrimage (Hajj) are discussed. An enquiry into Tasawwuf or mysticism too is carried out. Autliors have utilized several sources. Prayers in Islam are found to be of varied shades, one is of benefits and the other of demerits. Zakah is understood to be not mere charity but a right of the needy. However, some of the authors have assumed it to be a tax as well. Fasting or Sawm remains divergent in Hindu understanding. Many authors have committed unqualified assertions regarding Hajj. Many misunderstood and equated it with idol worship. Authors have approached various sources for the understanding of Tasawwuf and exhibited a keen interest about it. They discussed the origin of Tasawwuf and its place in Islam and have also found the elements of Tasawwuf and compared it with Vedanta philosophy. The role of Sufis in propagation of Islam in India has been deliberated upon. Tlie influence of Tasawwuf on Bhakti movement in particular and on Hindu thougjit in general are discussed too. Third chapter discusses values in Islam comprising of Moral and Social values of Islam. In the sphere of morals and ethics in Islam, the Hindu understanding is varied. One group found that the application of morals in Islam encompasses all the communities including animals and birds, while the other group charged that Islam's ethics are sectarian and lacking in Universal appeal. They compared Islamic ethical values with those valued in Hinduism and western thought, few also compared it even with ascetic thoughts. In the realm of social values, the authors have discussed equahty and brotherhood. Here too they did not debate about its presence in Islam but on its scope and apphcation. The authors are divided on the issue of tolerance in Islam and have analyzed Quranic verses, hadith, biography of the Prophet and even the history of Muslims to discern the place of tolerance in Islam. Next the understanding about slavery in Islam remains divided. Few authors have mixed the women in Islam with position of ^^uslim women. Many authors have produced extensive works on the issues. The authors have employed approaches of research, comparison and even criticism. The fourtli chapter on Muslim relationship with non-Muslim examines the Hindu view of Muslims, issue of Kafir and finally about Jihad. Authors have discussed the advent of Muslims in India, and then subsequent rise. The treatment of Muslim rulers of India towards the Hindu population is also discussed. All the authors declared in unison that the relationship between Hindus and Muslims are strained, even those who acknowledged that in the past the relationship was based on mutual tolerance and peacefiil co-existence too voiced the presence of misunderstanding between Hindus and Muslims. The authors understood the tenn 'Kafir' as derogatory. Except for a minority, the authors missed to attempt at the understanding of the ( I over all meaning of jihad without construing it to be fi^t or war alone. In tlie fifth chapter, contribution of Islam and Muslims to Indian culture specifically and to the world in general is expounded and agreed upon by all the authors. The influence of Islam is investigated in Ungual, social, political, financial and cultural spheres. The authors only disagreed about contribution of Islam in the Hindu reUgion. The result of this investigation appeared to be a spectrum of Hindu perception about Islam, This spectrum varies in its colours and hues and includes even combinations. The causes and the reasons of these diverse notions are also discussed. HINDU PERCEPTION OF ISLAM IN MODERN TIMES ^> THESIJ SUBMIITEOraR TfcjE AWARD OF IHEgEGI^E OF rsii^'iN '^ \ ISp^MiC STUDIES? BY Shaikh Nikhat Mohammed fiashid UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF Prof. M. YASIN MAZHAR SIDDIQUI DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) (S. 2006 T6753 i^ Phones: Ext. 2701131 int. 1365 ^2702607 / 2700087 Fax: 0571 •2700528 DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH > 202002 (INDIA) Re 3 Dated: Certificate This is to certify that the thesis entitled "Hindu Perception of Islam in Modem Times" is an original work done by Miss. Shaikh Nikhat Mohammed Rashid under my supervision. The thesis is suitable for submission for the award of Ph.D. degree in Islamic Studies (Prof. M. Yasl/i Mazhar Siddiqut) Supervisor Dedicated To those whom the Glorious Quran refers as And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah (Surah Baqarah : Verse 207) Ac^nowledj^ements I wisfi to express ReartfeCt tHan^ to my ^searcfi Supervisor <Prof. M. 'Yasin MazfiarSidiGqui,, (Department qflsCamicStudies, A-M..V.for fvis constant guidance and suggestions for accomplxslnng t/tis worH^ I express my tfian^ to (Prof. Sayyid^hsan, chairman (Department of Islamic Studies fir providing the researchfaciRties. 9/iy siiKere gratitude to (Dr. 9\i. JiSdudHaqJinsari for introducing me to the fascinating worCd of research and expending constant encouragement. I am than^C Mr. %flSir Jlhmad, LiSrarian, (Department of IsCamic Studies and his staff for their co-operation. I owe my indeStness to my parents and Brothers. SpeciaC thanlis to my friend. Ms. %puser Wani, (Research Scholar, (Department of (Botany AM.V., JiRgarh.. Shai^ ^^t Mohammed (Kflshid Contents Title PaseNo. 1. Introduction 1-6 2. Chapter-I: Faith 7-102 2.1 Concept of God 7-24 2.2 Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) 25-46 2.3 Quran as a Divine Revelation 46-59 2.4 Concept of Life-hereafter 59-102 3. Chapter -II: Worship and Devotion 103-169 3.1 Prayer (Salah) 103-121 3.2 Charity (Zakah) 121-129 3.3 Fasting (Sawm) 129-134 3.4 Pilgrimage (Hajj) 134-141 3.5 Mysticism (Tasawwuf) 142-169 4. Chapter-Ill: Values in Islam 170-273 4.1 Moral and Ethical Values 170-186 4.2 Social Values 187-188 4.2.1 Human EquaUty and Brotherhood 188-196 4.2.2 Tolerance 196-223 4.2.3 Slavery 223-228 4.2.4 Women in Islam 228-273 5. Cliapter-IV : Muslim Relationship with Non-Muslims and the Concept of Jihad. 274-351 5.1 Muslim, non-MusliiTi Relationship 275-298 5.2 Kafir 298-314 5.3 Concept of Jihad 314-351 6. Chapter-V: Contribution of Islam and Muslims to The Indian Culture 352-382 7. Conclusion 383-408 8. Selected Bibliography 409-416 Appendix 417-426 Introduction Pluralistic traditions have been the hallmark of Indian civilization. Various religions, faiths and creeds existed here from ancient times. Islam too has formed an important part of its history, culture and environment Many notable Hindu scholars and intellectuals have acknowledged the contributions of Islam in India. Moreover, Hindus have produced work on the various aspects of Islam. A few also did an over-all study of Islam. Many also attempted a comparative study of scriptures of Islam and Hinduism.