Comparison Between Hinduism,Sikhism and Islam

The concept of God in Islam and advaitism (Hinduism) as preached by Shankaracharya is quite similar except for one thing that in former the Universe is created by God and is different from God whereas in later the universe (Brahmaan) and God are one, the creator and creation are not different. Sikhism, however, bridges this gap. 

Sikhism is a faith started by Gurunanak, promoted by eight other Gurus who followed him and finally completed by Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib contains the teachings of all the Gurus and other Muslim and Hindu saints of the era. The concept of God in Sikhism can be understood from Mul Mantra which defines the God clearly as the creator of the Universe and different from his creation. God is said to be far greater than anything and can't be measured in time and space and thus it was their before it created Universe and will remain even after this universe is distroyed. God is present in this universe and is outside it and his spiritual being is present everywhere and in this way it is omnipresent. This concept is almost exactly what the Islam preaches.

Sikhism is closer to Hinduism in many other concepts, however, like the reincarnation or the rebirth which the Islam denies. According to Islam a person comes to earth only ones and after his death goes to heaven or the hell according to his deeds. When it comes to practice, the Sikhism is similar to Islam in few things and to Hindusim in many others. Like in Sikhism they cremate the deads like Hindus rather than burying as in the Islam but they dont practice Idol workship and Yajanas (Yagya). They dont believe in cast system like Muslims and shunned many wrong practices of the period.

 Yasser Iqbal Kidwai

Greatest Religious controversies

Prophet’s Cartoons

Denmark’s  newspaper Jyllands-Posten published an article entitled "Muhammed’s ansigt" ("The face of Muhammad") on 30 September 2005. The article consisted of twelve cartoons, some of them depicting Prophet Muhammad in most derogatory form. This sparked off a world wide protest, several newspapers in mainland Europe responded by republishing the cartoons. The republishing of cartoons further aggravated the situation; Muslim masses came out on streets seeking the head of Cartoonists, our own U.P minister Haji Yakoob promised a reward of 51 crores for anyone who killed the ‘cartoonist’. Danish embassies were attacked and Europeans beaten some 150 people were killed in the protests, mostly of police action.Those responsible for the controversy remained adamant throughout and refused to apologize. They had created the mischief completely knowing the fact that depiction of prophet in any image, painting or idol is completely prohibited under Islam and Muslims would not accept anything like that.

Dera-Sikh Controversy

Dera Sacha Sauda, a sikh cult in Sirsa Haryana claiming to have more than one crore followers, became the centre of a storm in Punjab and Haryana, which has refused to die out even today. Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh the head of Dera on 16 may 2007, dressed himself similar to Guru Gobind Singh and distributed the Amrit to his supporters in the same way the Guru had done while founding the Khalsa Panth, this ignited a sharp reaction from Sikh leaders. Sikhs roused in protests mainly in Punjab and Haryana, Dera supporters responded too and there was head on collision between the two, causing loss of life and property. Sant first refused to bend but later on due to political pressure, issued a well crafted regret statement addressing the Guru himself. The Sikh leaders, however, denounced the statement as tricky. The controversy is still a serious cause of tension in the area and the recent clashes in Mumbai, Bhatinda and Dabwali have taken the lives of two more innocents. In this case also, it is unlikely that Sant didn’t know that it is not permitted to imitate the Guru.

Sinister Designs

Since, the people triggering the controversies were not ignorant of the consequences of their action; there is a great possibility that these were designed to meet a wider aim. While the exact motive can’t be established, in the first case it could be the part of agenda of those afraid of Islam’s ever increasing influence on the European Society and leaving no stone unturned to defame it. The later controversy could be the brain child of those trying to polarize the votes in the region.

Are the protests justified?

The protests are definitely required to create an awareness that the use of freedom of speech and action to hurt others sentiments is not acceptable, the extent of the protests should, however, be checked to take care that you are not implementing the designs of those against whom you are protesting.  The violence not only reduces the sympathy but creates an irritation among the others who tend to believe that you are intolerant; exactly what the adversaries have planned for you. Moreover, The Prophet and the Guru were the people of highest grace who laid stress on forgiveness and piety and would never have liked their people to be involved in something which would result in blood shed of the innocents. 

Yasser Iqbal Kidwai    

BHINDRANWALE- Terrorist or Saint?  The question still remains to be answered even as the world is witnessing 25^th year of the death of the most controversial Sikh leader of all time. Seldom do we encounter a figure that is either hated or loved as deeply as Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. There are not many who can claim to be neutral when it comes to supporting him as a martyr or rejecting him as a terrorist. 

 Born in the year which saw India’s Birth as an Independent nation, he was all set to play the most sensational innings ever played in Indian politics since that fateful year.  Starting his sikh education under Damdami Taksal, he soon became the brightest of the students of the organization headed by Kartar Singh. He started missionary activities travelling village to village guiding sikh youth to take Amrit and thus returning to the purest form of Sikhism. He told them to abstain from alcohol and non-vegetarian food and not to tie their beards. Bhindranwale was blessed with boldness and great oratory skills. Where ever he used to go, villagers used to bring to him their day to day problems which he solved. Ones while he was attending the masses, a girl came to him who said that she was being abused by her in-laws for not bringing enough dowry. He ordered his men to bring her in-laws, when they came he took out few bills from his pocket and told them that the girl was the daughter of Jarnail singh Bhindranwale and they could take as much money from him as they wanted. They immediately went down to their knees and promised never to harass the girl.   He was tactful and shrewd and never shied away from displaying whatever power and skills he had, this increased his popularity by leaps and bounds. Bhindranwale, although never claimed any political position, became so powerful that the congress led by Indira Gandhi tried to use him to bring down the Akalis.

The problems started during the clashes between Nirankaris and Sikhs, such times demand a position to be taken and Bhindranwale assumed the role which was best fit to his personality, Aggressive and uncompromising. Khushwant Singh writes that he was aware of the fact that hate is a bigger passion than love. The leader of Nirankaris, Gurbachan Singh, was murdered and Bhindranwale was arrested for the charge of ordering the assassination. His arrest saw clashes in whole of Punjab, later he was released on the lack of evidences. This drama made Indira Gandhi realize the position and power he had assumed in Punjab. He was again arrested the next year, this time for the murder of Jagat Narain the owner of Hind Samachar Group. Incidences of violence grew so much that the union Home Minister had to tell the Parliament that there are no evidences against him and he was immediately released. He was now the single biggest leader in Punjab and both Indira Gandhi and Akalis were plunged into desperation. Bhindranwale was now widely seen as a propagator and advocate of Khalistan movement. He however, chose to be diplomatic while in media "we are not in favour of Khalistan nor are we against it" and "We won't reject it. We shall not repeat 1947".