COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN ISLAM AND HINDUISM
Part1:
PRESENTING ISLAM TO HINDUS
Arabic Recitation (3:64)
I. Introduction
A. Introduction of Hinduism
1. Definition of a Hindu
2. Definition of Hinduism
B. Introduction of Islam
1. Definition of Islam
2. Definition of a Muslim
3. Misconception about Islam
II. Pillars of Faith (Imaan)
(i) Pillars of Hinduism - Pillars of Faith in Hinduism are not defined
(ii) Pillars of Faith (Imaan) in Islam
A. Tawheed
1. 2:177
2. Hadith of six pillars of Imaan - Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Kitabul Imaan, Chapter 2, Hadith 6
3. Concept of God in Islam (112:1-4) (3:64)
4. Concept of God in Hinduism
a) Common concept of God in Hinduism
b) Difference between Islam and Hinduism is ‘S’
c) Bhagavad Geeta 7:20
d) Upanishad
Chandogya Upanishad, Ch. 6, Section 2, Verse 1
Svetasvatara Upanishad 6: 9
Svetasvatara Upanishad 4: 19
Svetasvatara Upanishad 4: 20
e) Yajurveda
Yajurveda 32: 3
Yajurveda 40: 8
Yajurveda 40: 9
f) Atharvaveda 20 : 58 : 3
g) Rigveda
Rigveda 1: 64: 46
Rigveda 2: 1
B. Angels
1. Angels in Islam
2. Angels in Hinduism
C. Books
(i) Books of Islam
1. Several revelations of Allah (13:38)
2. By name four are mentioned
3. Qur’an is the last and final revelation
4. All previous revelation meant for particular group of people and for a particular group of people and for a particular period of time
5. Qur’an revealed for whole humankind (14:52) (2:185) (39:41)
(ii) Books of Hinduism
Introduction
1. Vedas
2. Upanishads
3. Puranas
4. Itihas
5. Can Hindu scriptures be considered the word of God

D. Messengers
Messengers in Islam
1. Messengers sent to every nation (35:24) (13:7)
2. 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Qur’an
3. Stories of only some prophets mentioned in the Qur’an (4:164) (40:78)
4. Several hundreds of messengers sent to the world according to Hadith
5. All previous messengers were only sent for their people and nation and their complete message was meant for that period of time
6. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) last and final messenger (33:40)
7. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent for whole of humankind (21:107) (34:28) Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 56, Hadith 429
8. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesied in Hindu scriptures
a) Bhavishya Purana, Parv 3, Khand 3, Adhaya 3, Shloka 5-8
b) Bhavishya Purana, Parv 3, Khand 3, Adhaya 3, Shloka 10-27
c) Atharvaveda, Book 20, Hymn 127, Verses 1-113 (kuntap sukla)
d) Atharvaveda, Book 20, Hymn 21, Verse 6
e) Atharvaveda, Book 20, Hymn 21, Verse 7
f) Samveda, Book 2, Hymn 6, Verse 8
9. Avtaars and Messengers in Hinduism
10. Anthropomorphism
11. Which prophet was sent to India, can we consider Ram and Krishna to be the messengers of Allah?
12. Hadith sayings and tradition of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

E. Life after Death - hereafter
(i) Life after death in Islam
1. Life after death (2:28)
2. This life is the test for the hereafter (67:2)
3. Full recompense on the day of judgement (3:185)
4. Paradise - Al Jannah
5. Hell - Jahannam

(ii) Life after death in Hinduism

1. Concept of Rebirths in Hinduism - Reincarnation or Transmigration of the souls
a) Bhagavad Geeta, Chapter 2, Verse 22
b) Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, Part 4, Chapter 4, Verse 3
2. Karma - the law of cause and effect
3. Dharma - righteous duties
4. Moksha - liberation from the cycle of rebirths
5. Rebirths not mentioned in the Vedas
6. Punarjanam is not cycle of rebirth but life after death
7. Life after death in the Vedas
a) Rigveda, Book 10, Hymn 16, Verse 4
b) Rigveda, Book 10, Hymn 16, Verse 5
8. Paradise - Swarga in the Vedas
a) Atharvaveda, Book 4, Hymn 34, Verse 6
b) Atharvaveda, Book 4, Hymn 34, Verse 2
c) Atharvaveda, Book 2, Hymn 34, Verse 5
d) Atharvaveda, Book 6, Hymn 122, Verse 3
e) Rigveda, Book 10, Hymn 95, Verse 18
9. Hell - Nark in the Vedas - Rigveda, Book 4, Hymn 5, Verse 4
F. Destiny
1. Concept of Destiny - Qadr in Islam
2. Logical concept for differences in different individuals (67:2)
3. Present conditions in Islam is a test (2:214) (29:2) (21:35) (2:155) (8:28)

III. Pillars of Islam
1. Islamic Creed
a) Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book of Imaan, Chapter 1, Hadith 8
b) To testify that ‘Ash-hadu-al-lailaha illallah wa anna Muhammadar Rasulullah’

2. Salaah
a) Not merely prayers but programming (5:90) (2:188)
b) Prayers restrains you from unjust and shameful deeds (29:45)
c) Five times Salaah for healthy souls
d) Idol worship is prohibited in Hinduism
e) Common Hindus use idols for worshipping for concentration
f) Muslims do not worship Kaaba while offering Salaah

3. Zakat
a) Meaning purification and growth
b) Description 2.5% charity of the saving above nisab every lunar year (9:60)
c) If every human being gives Zakat, not a single human being will die of hunger
d) Wealth does not circulate only among the wealthy and rich
e) Charity in Hinduism
4. Saum - Fasting
a) Description - Abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset for one lunar month in Ramazan
b) (2:183) Learn self-restraint. If you control your hunger you can control almost of all your desires
c) Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other addictions
d) Medical benefits, increases absorption of intestine
e) Decreases cholesterol level
f) Fasting in Hinduism
5. Hajj - pilgrimage
a) Description - Pilgrimage atleast once in life time if you can afford it
b) Universal brotherhood - 2.5 million people from all over the world gather, wear 2 pieces unsewn preferably white cloth - can’t differentiate
c) Pilgrimage in Hinduism
IV. Commandments of Allah
1. Five pillars do not constitute the complete religion of Islam
2. Islam is not merely a religion but complete way of life it caters to the body as well as the soul

3. (51:56)
(1) Abstaining from prohibited food is submitting your will to Allah (SWT) e.g. Alcohol (5:90) - Alcohol prohibited in Veda (Rigveda 8:2:12) (Rigveda 8:21:14)
(2) Prohibition of gambling in Qur’an (5:90) - Prohibition of gambling in Veda (Rigveda 10:34:3-13)
(3) Prohibition of Interest in the Qur’an (3:130) (4:161) (30:39) (2:275) (2:276) (2:278) - Prohibition of Interest in the Veda (Rigveda 3:35:14)
(4) Dressing modestly (24:31) + six criteria’s in hijab - Dressing modestly in Hinduism (Rigveda 10:33:19) Men forbidden to wear female dress (Rigveda 10:85:30)
V. Hindu Reformers
1. Sri Ramakrishna
2. Swami Vivekananda
3. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
4. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
5. Mahatma Gandhi
VI. Conclusion
1. No reforms required in Islam (5:3)


COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN ISLAM AND HINDUISM

PRESENTING ISLAM TO HINDUS
Arabic Recitation (3:64)
I. Introduction
A. Introduction of Hinduism
1. Definition of a Hindu
The word Hindu has geographical significance and was used originally for those people who lived beyond the river Sindhu or the region watered by the river Indus. Some historians say that it was first used by the Persians who came to India through the north western passes of the Himalayas. The word Hindu is no where mentioned in Indian literature or scriptures before the advent of Muslims to India, according to the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics. According to Jawaharlal Nehru in the book Discovery of India on page 74-75, he writes that the earliest reference to the word Hindu can be traced to a tantrik of the 8th Century CE, where it means a people and not a follower of a particular religion. The use of the word Hindu in connection with a particular religion is of late occurrence.
In short Hindu is a geographical definition used for the people living beyond the river Indus or those living in India
2. Definition of Hinduism
a) Hinduism has been derived from the word Hindu. Hinduism was a name given in English language in the Nineteenth Century by the English people to the multiplicity of the beliefs and faith of the people of the Indus land. According to New Encyclopedia Britannica 20:581. The British writers in 1830 gave the word Hinduism to be used as the common name for all the beliefs of the people of India excluding the Muslims and converted Christians.
b) The term Hinduism is misleading because though it suggests the unified system of beliefs and ideas, it is certainly not the case. Hinduism is too broad a phenomenon to be confined to a usual definitions of religions. It does not owe its origin, formation or finalization to any historical person or a prophet since there is no uniformly accepted belief sacraments, rituals and practices in Hinduism, there are no criteria for establishing rules in Hinduism. In short a person who calls himself a Hindu becomes a true practicing Hindu irrespective who he worships and what ever may be his beliefs and practice.
c) According to the Hindu scholars Hinduism is a misnomer and it should be referred a Sanatana Dharma, meaning eternal religion or Vedic Dharma meaning religion of the Veda. According to Swami Vivekananda the followers of this religion is referred as Vedantist.
B. Introduction of Islam
1. Definition of Islam
Islam is an Arabic word which comes from the word ‘Salaam’ which means ‘Peace’. It also means submitting your will to Allah - the Almighty God. In short Islam means peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah (SWT).
2. Definition of a Muslim
A Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah - the Almighty God.
3. Misconception about Islam
Many people have a misconception that Islam is a new religion which came into existence 1400 years ago and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the founder of the religion of Islam. Infact Islam is there since time immemorial, since man set foot on the earth. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not the founder of the religion of Islam but he is the last and final messenger of Islam.
II. Pillars of Faith (Imaan) - Pillars of Hinduism
Pillars of Faith in Hinduism are not defined. As mentioned earlier that Hinduism does not have a set of unified or codified beliefs. Neither does it have any fixed pillars or principles which are obligatory for its followers to practice. A Hindu has a freedom to practice whatever he pleases, there is no such thing as compulsory or prohibited for him thus no act committed by a person can make him a non-Hindu. Neither omission of any act can make him a non-Hindu. However there are certain beliefs which are common to most of the Hindus. Even though it may not be agreed upon 100% by all the Hindus, we shall discuss some of them while discussing the pillars of Islam.

CONCEPT OF GOD IN HINDUISM

The most popular amongst the Aryan religion is Hinduism
1. Common concept of God in Hinduism:
If you ask a common Hindu that how many Gods he believe in, some may say three some may say thirty three, some may say a thousand while some may say thirty three crore i.e. 330 millions. But if you ask this question to a Hindu learned man who is well Versed with the Hindu scriptures, he will reply that the Hindu should actually believe and worship only one God.
2. Difference between Islam and Hinduism is ‘s’
(Everything is ‘God’s’ - everything is ‘God’):
The major difference between the Hindu and the Muslim is that the common Hindu believes in philosophy of Pantheism i.e. everything is God, the tree is God, the sun is God, the moon is God, the snake is God, the monkey is God, the human being is God.
The Muslims believe that everything is God’s. God with and apostrophe ‘s’. Everything belongs to God, the tree belongs to God, the sun belongs to God, the moon belongs to God, monkey belongs to God, the human being belongs to God.
Thus the major difference between the Hindus and the Muslims is the apostrophe ‘s’. The Hindu says everything is God. The Muslim says everything is God’s, God with an apostrophe ‘s’. If we can solve the difference of the apostrophe ‘s’, the Hindus and the Muslims will be united.
The Holy Qur’an says, “Come to common terms as between us and you”, which is the first term? “That we worship none but Allah”, so lets come to common terms by analyzing the scripture of the Hindus and the Muslim.
3. Bhagwad Geeta 7:20
The most popular amongst all the Hindu scriptures is the Bhagwad Geeta. Bhagwad Geeta mentions in Chapter 7, Verse 20, “Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires worship demigods” that is “Those who are materialistic, they worship demigods” i.e. besides the true God.
4. Upanishad
Upanishad are also one of the sacred scriptures of the Hindus.
(i) Chandogya Upanishad, Chapter 6, Section 2, Verse 1
It is mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad, Prapathaka(Chapter) 6, Khanda(Section)2, Shloka(Verse) “Ekam evaditiyam”, “He is one only without a second”.
The principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan, page 447 and 448(sacred books of the east Volume 1 the Upanishads, part I, page 93)
a) (ii) Similar to what is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Ikhlas, Chapter 112, Verse 1, “Say he is Allah one and only”.
b) (i) Svetasvatara Upanishad, Chapter 6, Verse 9
It is mentioned in the Svetasvatara Upanishad, Adhyaya(Chapter) 6, Shloka(Verse) 9, “Na casya kascij janita na cadhipah” “Of him there is neither parents nor lord”.
“na tasya kascit patir asti loke, na cesita naiva ca tasya lingam, na karanam karanadhipadhipo na casya kascij janita na cadhipah”.
“Of him there is no master in the world, no ruler, nor is there any mark of him. He is the cause, the lord of the lords of the sense organs; of him there is neither progenitor nor lord”.
(The principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan page 745 and in sacred books of the east Volume 15, the Upanishads, part II, page 263)
(ii) Similar message is given in Holy Qur’an in Surah Ikhlas, Chapter 112, Verse 3,
“He begets not, nor is he begotten”.
(i) In Svetasvatara Upanishad, Chapter 4, Verse 19
It is mentioned in Svetasvatara Upanishad, Adhyaya(Chapter) 4, Shloka(Verse) 19,
“Na tasya pratima asti” “There is no likeness of him”.
“nainam urdhvam na tiryancam na madhye na parijagrabhat na tasya pratima asti yasya nama mahad yasah” “There is no likeness of him whose name is great glory”.
(The principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan page 736 & 737 and in sacred books of the east Volume 15, the Upanishad, part II, page 253)
c) (ii) Similar message is given in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Ikhlas, Chapter 112, Verse 4,
“And there is none like unto him”.
c) (iii) Surah Shura, Chapter 42, Verse 11 and also in Surah Shura, Chapter 42, Verse 11,
“There is nothing whatever like unto him”.
d) (i) In Svetasvatara Upanishad, Chapter 4, Verse 20
It is mentioned in Svetasvatara Upanishad, Adhyaya(Chapter) 4, Shloka(Verse) 20,
“na samdrse tishati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam” “his form cannot be seen, no one sees him with the eye”
“nasamdrse tishati rupam asya, na caksusa pasyati kas canainam. Hrda hrdistham manasa ya enam, evam vidur amrtas te bhavanti”
“His form is not to be seen; no one sees him with the eye. Those who through heart and mind know him as abiding in the heart become immortal”.
(The principal Upanishad by S. Radhakrishnan page 737 & in sacred books of the east Volume 15, the Upanishad part II, page 253)
e) (ii) Similar message is given in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Anam, Chapter 6, Verse 103,
“No vision can grasp him. But his grasp is over all vision: he is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things”.
5. Yajurveda
Vedas are the most sacred amongst all the Hindu scriptures, there are principally 4 Vedas, Rigved, Yajurved, Samved and Atharvaved.
a) Yajurveda, Chapter 32, Verse 3
It is mentioned in Yajurved, Chapter 32, Verse 3
“na tasya pratima asti” “There is no image of Him”
It further says as “He is unborn, He deserves our worship”
“There is no image of him whose glory verily is great. He sustains within himself all luminous objects like the sun etc. may he not harm me, this is my prayer. As he is unborn, he deserves our worship”.
(The Yajurveda by Devi Chand M.A. page 377)
b) Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 8
It is mentioned in Yajurved, Chapter 40, Verse 8, “He is body less and pure”
“He hath attained unto the bright, bodiless, woundless, sinewless, the pure which evil hath not pierced. Far-sighted wise, encompassing, he self existent hath prescribed aims as propriety demands unto the everlasting years”
(Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph I.H. Griffith page 538)
c) Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 9
It is mentioned in Yajurved, Chapter 40, Verse 9
“Andhatma pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste”
“They enter darkness, those who worship natural things” For e.g. air, water, fire etc.
It further continues and says, “They sink deeper in darkness those who worship Sambhuti i.e. created things”, For example table, chair, idol etc.
“Deep into shade of blinding gloom fall asambhuti’s worshippers. They sink to darkness deeper yet who on sambhuti are intent”
(Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph T.H. Griffith page 538)
6. Atharvaveda
a) (i) Atharvaveda, Book 20, Hymn (Chapter) 58, Verse 3
It is mentioned in Atharvaveda, Book 20, Hymn (Chapter) 58, Verse 3
“Dev maha osi” “God is verily great”
“Verily, surya, thou art great; truly, aditya, thou art great. As thou art great indeed thy greatness is admired: yea, verily, great art thou, O God”
(Atharvaveda Samhiti Volume 2, William Dwight Whitney page 910)
a) (ii) Surah Rad, Chapter 13, Verse 9
A similar message is given in Qur’an Surah Rad, Chapter 13, Verse 9,
“He is the Great, the most High.”
7. Rigveda
The most oldest and sacred amongst all the Vedas is Rigveda.
a) Rigveda, Book No.1, Hymn No. 164, Verse 46
It is mentioned in Rigveda Book no.1, Hymn no.164 Verse 46
“Sages (learned Priest) call one God by many names”
“They have styled (Him, God or the sun) indra (the resplendent), mitra (the surveyor), varuna (the venerable), agni (the adorable), and he is the celestial, well-winged garutmat (the great), for learned priests call one by many names as they speak of the adorable as yama (ordainer) and matarisvan (cosmic breath)”.
b) (i) Rigveda, Book 2, Hymn 1
Rigveda gives no less than 33 different attributes to Almighty God several of these attributes are mentioned in Rigveda, Book 2, Hymn 1
b) (ii) Brahma - Creator - Khaliq, Rigveda Book 2, Hymn 1, Verse 3
Amongst the various attributes given in Rigveda one of the beautiful attributes for Almighty God is ‘Brahma’. ‘Brahma’ means ‘the creator’. If you translate into Arabic it means ‘Khaliq’. We Muslims have got no objection if you call Almighty God a ‘Khaliq’ or ‘Creator’ or ‘Brahma’ but if someone says that ‘Brahma’ is Almighty God who has got 4 heads and on each head is a crown and he has got 4 hands. We Muslims take strong except to it because you are giving an image to Almighty God. Moreover you are going against Yajurveda, Chapter 32, Verse 3, which says,
“Na tasya pratima asti” ‘”There is no image of him”
b) (iii) Vishnu - Sustainer - Rabb: Rigveda, Book II, Hymn 1, Verse 3
Another beautiful attribute mentioned in the Rigveda, Book II, Hymn 1, Verse 3, is Vishnu, ‘Vishnu’ means ‘the Sustainer’. If you translate into Arabic it means ‘Rabb’, we Muslims have no objection if anyone call Almighty God as ‘Rabb’ or ‘Sustainer’ or ‘Vishnu’ but if someone says Vishnu is Almighty God who has got 4 arms. One of the right arm holding the ‘Chakra’ i.e. a discus and one of the left arms holding a ‘Conch shell’ and he is riding on a bird or reclining on a snake couch. We Muslims take strong exception to this, because you are giving an image to Almighty God. Moreover you are going against Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 8.
c) Rigveda, Book 8, Hymn 1, Verse 1
It is mentioned in Rigveda, Book 8, Hymn 1, Verse 1
“Ma Chidanyadia Shansata”
“Do not worship anybody but Him, the divine one Praise Him alone”
“Ma cid anyad vi sansata sakhayo ma rishanyata in dram it stota vrishanam saca sute muhaur uktha ca sansata”.
“O friends, do not worship anybody but Him, the divine one. Let no grief perturb you. Praise Him alone, the radiant, the showerer of benefits. During the course of self-realization, go on repeatedly uttering Hymns in His honour”.
(Rigveda Samhiti, Volume IX, page 1 and 2 by Swami Satyaprakash Sarasvati and Satyakam Vidhya Lankar)
d) (i) Rigveda, Book 5, Hymn 81, Verse 1
It is mentioned in Rigveda, Book 5, Hymn 81, Verse 1,
“Verily great is the glory of the divine creator”
(Rigveda Samhiti, Volume 6, page 1802 and 1803 by Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati and Satyakam Vidhyalanka)
d) (ii) Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 2
Similar message is given in the Holy Qur’an In Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 2,
“Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds”.
e) (i) Rigveda, Book 3, Hymn 34, Verse 1
It is mentioned in Rigveda, Book 3, Hymn 34, Verse 1
“The bounteous giver”
(Hymns of Rigveda, Volume 2, page 377, by Ralph T.H. Griffith)
e) (ii) Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 3
Same as Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 3, “Most Gracious, most merciful”
f) (i) Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 160
It is mentioned in Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 16
“Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wonder”
“By goodly path lead us to riches, Agni, thou God who knowest all our works and wisdom. Remove the sin that makes us astray and wander: most ample adoration will we bring thee”
(The Yajurveda Samhiti by Ralph T.H Griffith Page 541)
f) (ii) Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 6 and 7
Similar message is given in Surah Fateha, Chapter 1, Verse 6 and 7
“Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom thou has bestowed thy grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath. And who go not astray”.

g) Rigveda, Book No VI, Hymn 45, Verse 16
It is mentioned in Rigveda, Book VI, Hymn 45, Verse 16
“Ya eka ittamushtuhi”
“Praize Him who is the matchless and alone.”
(Hymns of Rigveda by Ralph T.H. Griffith page 648)
8. Brahma Sutra of Hindu Vedanta
The Brahma Sutra of Hindu Vedanta is:
“Ekam Brahm, dvitiya naste nen na naste kinchan”
“Bhagwan ek hi hai dusara nahi hai, nahi hain nahi hai zara bhi nahi hai.”
“There is only one God, not the second, not at all, not in the least bit.”
Therefore only if you read the Hindu Scripture will you understand the correct concept of God in Hinduism.

II B Angels

1. Angels in Islam
Angels are creation of Allah (SWT) which are normally unseen and has been created from light. They do not have their own free will and always obey the commandments of Almighty Allah. Different angels have been appointed by Almighty Allah for different activity e.g. Arch Angel Gabriel (Jibreel) was appointed to bring the Revelation of Allah (SWT) to the prophets.

2. Angels in Hinduism
There is no concept of Angels in Hinduism. However there are certain super beings which perform acts which cannot be done by a normal human being. These too are worshipped as deities by some Hindus.


II C (ii) Books of Hinduism
Introduction:
There are two kinds of sacred writings in Hinduism Sruti and Smrti. Sruti means that which has been heard perceived understood or revealed. It is the oldest and the most sacred of the Hindu’s scriptures. The Sruti is divided into two main parts. The Vedas and the Upanishads and are considered to be of divine origin.
Smrti is not as sacred as the Sruti, but it is yet considered to be important and is popular with the Hindus today. Smrti means memory or remembered. This Hindu literature is easier to understand because it speaks about the truths of the uniVerse through symbolism and mythology. The Smrti are not considered to be of divine origin but are human composition which regulate and guide individuals in their daily conduct and lists rules governing the actions of the individual, the community and the society. They are also known as Dharma Shastra Smrtis consists of many writings including the Puranas and Itihas.

II Muhammad (pbuh) in the Hindu Scriptures
1. Introduction
There are several Holy Scriptures of the Hindus among them are the Vedas, Upanishads & the Puranas.
a) (i)Vedas: It is derived from ‘Vid’, to know, means knowledge par excellence, sacred wisdom. There are 4 principal divisions of the Vedas (Although according to their number, they amount to 1131 out of which about a dozen are available. According to Maha Bhashya of Patanjali there are 21 branches of Rigveda, 9 types of Atharvaveda, 101 branches of Yajurveda and 1000 of Samveda)
(ii) The Rigveda, the Yajurveda and Samveda are considered to be more ancient books and are known as ‘Trai Viddya’ or the ‘Tripple Sciences’. The Rigveda is the oldest and has been compiled in 3 long and different periods of time. The 4th Veda is the Atharvaveda which is of a later date.
(iii) There is no unanimous opinion regarding the date of compilation or revelation of the 4 Vedas. According to Swami Dayanand, who is the founder of the Arya Samaj, the Vedas were revealed 1310 millions of years ago and according to other scholars they are not more than 4000 years old.
(iv) Similarly there is a difference of opinion regarding the places where these books were revealed and the Rishis to whom these Scriptures were given. Inspite of these differences the Vedas are the most authentic of the Hindu Scriptures and the real foundations of the Hindu Dharma.

b) Upanishads:
(i) The word Upanishads is derived from ‘Upa’ meaning near, ‘ni’ which means down and ‘shad’ means to sit, therefore Upanishads means sitting down near groups of pupils sit near the teacher to learn from him the secret doctrines.
According to Samkara Upanishad is derived from the root word ‘Sad’ which means ‘to loosen’, ‘to reach’ or ‘to destroy’, with ‘Upa’ and ‘ni’ as prefix, therefore Upanishad means Brahma-knowledge by which ignorance is loosened or destroyed.
(ii) The number of Upanishads exceeds 200 though the Indian tradition puts it at 108. There are 10 principal Upanishads however some consider them to be more than 10, while other 18.
(iii) The Vedanta meant originally the Upanishads, though the word is now used for the system of philosophy based on the Upanishad. Literally, Vedanta means the end of the Veda, Vedasya-antah, the conclusion as well as the goal of Vedas. The Upanishads are the concluding portion of the Vedas and chronologically they come at the end of the Vedic period.
(iv) Some Pandits consider the Upanishad to be more superior to the Vedas.

c) Puranas
Next in order of authenticity are the Puranas which are the most widely read scriptures. The Purana contains the history of the creation of the uniVerse, history of the early Aryan tribes and life stones of the devines and deities of the Hindus. The Puranas are revealed books like the Vedas which were revealed simultaneously with the Vedas or somewhere close to it.
Maharishi Vyasa has divided the Puranas into 18 voluminous parts. He also arranged the Vedas under various heads. The Gita and Mahabharata were productions of his masterly pen.
Chief among the Puranas is a book known as Bhavishya Purana. It is called so because it gives an account of future event. The Hindus consider it to be the word of God. Maharishi Vyasa was just the compiler of the book. The real author being God himself.
Muhammad (pbuh) prophesized in Bhavishya Purana
According to Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag, Parv III, Khand 3, Aday 3, Shaloka 5 to 8
“A malechha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking foreign language) spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammad. Raja (Bhoj) after giving this Maha Dev Arab (of angelic disposition) a both in the ‘Panchgavya’ and the Ganges water (i.e. purging him of all time) offered him the presents of his sincere devotion and showing him all reverence said, “I make obeisance to thee, ‘Oye! The pride of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, Ye have collected a great force to kill the Devil and you yourself have been protected from the malechha opponents.”
The Prophecy clearly states:
(i) The name of the Prophet as Muhammad
(ii) He will belong to Arabia. The Sanskrit word ‘Marusthal’ means a sandy track of land or a desert.
(iii) Special mention is made of the companions of the Prophet i.e. the Sahabas. No other Prophet had as many companions as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
(iv) He is referred as the pride of mankind (Parbatis nath). The Holy Qur’an reconfirms this in Surah Al-Qalam, Chapter 68, Verse 4
“And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character” and in Surah Al-Ahzab Chapter 33, Verse 21
“Ye have indeed in the messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct)”
(v) He will kill the devil i.e. abolish idol worship and all sorts of vices.
(vi) The Prophet will be given the protection against his enemy.
Some people may argue that Raja Bhoj mentioned in the prophecy lived in the 11th century CE 500 years after the advent of Prophet Muhammad and was the descendant in the 10th generation of Raja Shalivahan. These people fail to realize that there was not only one Raja of the name Bhoj. The Egyptian Monarchs were called as Pharaoh and the Roman kings were known as Caesar’s, similarly the Indian Rajas were given the tittle of Bhoj. There were several Raja Bhoj who came before the one in 11th Century CE.
The Prophet did not physically take a bath in Panchgavya and the water of Ganges. Since the water of Ganges is considered holy, taking bath in the Ganges is an idem meaning washing away or making immune from all sorts of sins. Here the prophecy implies that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sinless i.e. ‘Maasoom’.
3. Muhammad (pbuh) prophesized in Bhavishya Purana
According to Bhavishya Purana in the Pratisarag, Parv III, Khand 3, Shloka 10 to 27 Maharishi Vyas has prophesized.
“The Malechha have spoiled the well known land of the Arabs. Arya Dharma is not to be found in the country. Before also there appeared a misguided friend whom I had killed; he has now again appeared being sent by a powerful enemy. To show these enemies the right path and to give them guidance the well-known Mohamad (Muhammad), who has been given by me the epithet of Brahma, is busy in bringing the ‘Pishachas’ to the right path. O Raja, you need not go to the land of the foolish Pishachas, you will be purified through my kindness even where you are at night, he of the angelic disposition, the shrewd man, in the guise of a Pischacha said to Raja Bhoj, O Raja! Your Arya Dharma has been made to prevail over all religions, but according to the commandment of Ishwar Parmatma, I shall enforce the strong need of the meat eaters. My follower will be a man circumcised, without a tail (on his head), keeping beard, creating a revolution announcing Adhan (call for prayer) and will be eating all lawful things. He will eat all sorts of animals except swine. They will not seek purification from the holy shrubs, but will be purified through warfare. On account of their fighting the irreligious nations, they will be known as ‘Musalmans’. I shall be the originator of the religion of the meat-eating nation”

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