INTRODUCTION
In this series of articles,
we are analyzing similarities and common grounds between two major religions of
the world: Hinduism and Islam. In the previous article studied the various
prophecies in Hindu scriptures of the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him). . In this month’s article, we shall study, examine and highlight
similarities between the concepts of life after death, and of fate and destiny
in Islam and in Hinduism as mentioned in their respective scriptures.
THE CONCEPT OF LIFE AFTER DEATH IN HINDUISM AND IN ISLAM
LIFE
AFTER DEATH IN HINDUISM:
1. Concept of rebirth in Hinduism –
Reincarnation or Transmigration of the Souls
Most of
the Hindus believe in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, which is called ‘Samsara’.
‘Samsara’
or the doctrine of rebirth is also known as the theory of reincarnation or of
transmigration of the soul. This doctrine is considered to be a basic tenet of
Hinduism. According to doctrine of rebirth, differences between individuals,
even at the time of their birth are due to their past karma i.e. actions done in
the past birth. For example if one child is born healthy while another is
handicapped or blind, the differences are attributed to their deeds in their
previous lives. Those who believe in this theory reason that since all actions
may not bear fruit in this life, there has to be another life for facing or
reaping the consequences of one’s actions.
a)
It is mentioned in the Bhagvad Gita
“As a
person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new
material bodies, giving up the old and useless.”
(Bhagvad Gita 2:22)
b)
The Doctrine of Re-birth is also described in
Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad:
“As a Caterpillar which has wriggled to the top of a blade
of grass draws itself over to a new blade, so does the soul, after it has put
aside its body draws
itself over to a new existence.
(Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad 4:4:3)
2.
Karma – The law of Cause and Effect:
Karma
means act, deed, action or activity and refers not only to action undertaken by
the body but also to those undertaken by the mind. Karma is actually action and
reaction or the law of cause and effect. It is explained by the saying, “As we
sow, so shall we reap”. A farmer cannot sow wheat and expect rice to grow.
Similarly, every good thought, word or deed begets a similar reaction which
affects our next life and every unkind thought, harsh word and evil deed comes
back to harm us in this life or in the next life.
3.
Dharma – Righteous Duties:
Dharma
means what is right or righteous duties. This includes what is right for the
individual, family, the class or caste and also for the universe itself. In
order to achieve good karma, life should be lived according to Dharma, otherwise
it will result in bad karma. Dharma affects both, the present life and the
future as well.
4. Moksha
– Liberation from the Cycle of Rebirth:
Moksha
means liberation from the cycle of rebirth or of
‘Samsara’.
The ultimate aim of every Hindu is that one day the cycle of rebirth will be
over and he will not have to be reborn again. This can only happen if there is
no karma to cause an individual to be reborn i.e. it looses its good and bad
karma.
5.
Rebirth is not mentioned in the Vedas:
The
important point worth noting is that the doctrine of rebirth is not postulated,
propounded nor even mentioned anywhere in what are considered to be the most
authentic Hindu scriptures i.e. the Vedas. The Vedas make no mention of the
entire concept of transmigration of souls.
6.
Punarjanam does not mean cycle of rebirth but means Life after Death:
The
Common word used for the doctrine of rebirth is ‘Punarjanam’. In Sanskrit
‘Punar’ or ‘Puna’, means, ’next time' or ‘again’ and ‘Janam’ means ‘life’.
Therefore ‘Punarjanam’ means ‘next life’ or ‘the life hereafter’. It does not
mean coming to life on earth again and again as a living creature.
If one
reads many of the references to Punarjanam in Hindu Scriptures besides the
Vedas, keeping the life in the hereafter in mind, one gets the concept of the
next life but not of rebirths or of life again and again. This is true for
several quotations of the Bhagvad Gita and Upanishad which speak of Punarjanam.
This
concept of repeated births or of cycle of rebirth was developed after the Vedic
period. This doctrine was included by humans in subsequent Hindu scriptures
including the Upanishad, Bhagvad Gita and the Puranas in a conscious attempt to
rationalize and explain the differences between different individuals at birth
and the different circumstances in which people find themselves in, with the
concept that Almighty God is not unjust. So to say that since God is not unjust
the inequalities and differences between people are due to their deeds in their
past lives.
Islam has
a rational answer to this which we shall discuss later InshaAllah.
7.
Life
after Death in the Vedas:
There is
reference to life after death in the Vedas. It is mentioned in:
a.
Rigved Book no. 10, Hymn no. 16 verse no. 4
“The
unborn portion, burn that, AGNI, with thy heat; let thy flame, thy splendour,
consume it; with those glorious members which thou hast given him, JATAVEDAS,
bear him to the world (of the virtuous)”
(Rigved 10:16:4)
The
Sanskrit word
‘Sukritam u Lokam’
means
‘the word of the virtuous or region of the pious, referring to the
hereafter. The next verse i.e.
b.
Rigveda Book 10 hymn 16 verse 5 says:
“…
Putting on (Celestial) life, let the remains (of bodily like) depart: let him,
JATAVEDAS be associated with a body.”
(Rigveda 10:16:5)
This
verse too refers to a second life i.e. life after death.
8.
Paradise – Swarga in the Vedas:
'Swarg’
i.e. Paradise,
is described in several places in the Vedas including.:
a.
Atharva Veda Book 4 hymn 34 verse 6 (Devichand)
“May all
these streams of butter, with their banks of honey, flowing with distilled
water, and milk and curds and water reach thee in domestic life enhancing thy
pleasure. May thou acquire completely these things strengthening the soul in
diverse ways.”
(Atharva Veda 4:34:6)
Atharva Veda Book 4 hymn 34 verse 6 (Ved Pra.)
“Having
pools of clarified butter, stocks of sweet honey, and having exhilarating drinks
for water, full of milk and curds, may all these streams flow to us in the world
of happiness swelling sweetly. May our lakes full of lotuses be situated near
us.”
(Atharva
Veda 4:34:6)
b.
It is mentioned in Atharvaveda
“Bereft
of physical bodies, pure, cleansed with the wind, brilliant, they go to a
brilliant world. The fire does not cause burning in their male organ. In the
world of happiness they get plenty of women.
(Atharva Veda 4:34:2)
c)
It is mentioned in Atharvaveda:
May the
realised ones, first of all, take the vital breath under their control from the
limbs in which it has been circulating. Go to heaven stay firm with all the
parts of your body. Attain the world of light and emancipation, following the
path of the enlightened ones (your predecessors)”.
(Atharva Veda 2:34:5)
d)
It is mentioned in Atharavaveda
“O both
of you, start to accomplish it, make determined effort to accomplish it. Those
having unflinching faith attain this abode of happiness. Whatever ripe offerings
you have made in fire of sacrifice, may both, the husband and wife, stand united
to guard them with care.
(Atharva Veda 6:122:5)
e)
It is mentioned in the Rigveda:
“O Aila,
the loud-sounding clouds, these divines say to you, since you are indeed subject
to death, let your progeny propitiate your revered cosmic forces with oblations,
then alone you shall rejoice (with me) in heaven”
(Rigveda 10:95:18)
9.
Hell –
‘Nark’
in the Vedas
‘Nark’ or
‘Hell’
is also described in the Vedas and the Sanskrit word used is
‘Narakasthanam’.
It is also mentioned in Rigveda:
“May the
bounteous fire divine, consume them with his fiercely glowing sharp jaws like
flames, who disregard the commandments and steadfast laws of most venerable and
sagacious Lord.
(Rigveda 4:5:4)
LIFE
AFTER DEATH – THE HEREAFTER
LIFE
AFTER DEATH IN ISLAM
1.
Live once
in this world and then be resurrected in the Hereafter
It is
mentioned in the Qur’an
How can
ye reject the faith in Allah?
Seeing
that ye were without life,
And He
gave you life; Then will He cause you to die,
and will
He again bring you to life; And again to Him will ye return.
(Al
Qur’an 2:28)
Islam
states that a human being comes into this world only once, and after he dies, he
is again resurrected on the day of judgement. Depending on his deeds he will
either dwell in heaven i.e. Paradise or he will dwell in hell.
2.
This Life is a test for the hereafter
It is mentioned in the
Qur’an
He who created Death
and Life,
that He may try which
of you is best in deed;
And He is the exalted
in Might, oft-
forgiving
(Al
Qur’an 67:2)
This life that we lead in
this world is a test for the hereafter. If we follow the commandments of the
Almighty Creator and we pass the test, we shall enter Paradise i.e., which is Eternal
Bliss. If we do not follow the commandments of our creator and fail the test
then we shall be put into hell.
3.
Full
Recompense on the Day of Judgement:
It is mentioned in the
Qur’an
Every
soul shall have a test of death.
And only
on the Day of Judgment shall
you be
paid your full recompense.
Only he
who is saved far from the fire and admitted to the Garden
will have
attained the object (of life).
For the
life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.
(Al
Qur’an 3:185)
4.
Paradise
– Al Jannah
a.
Al-Jannah i.e. paradise is a place of perpetual bliss. In Arabic,
‘jannat’ literally means ‘the Garden’. The Qur’an describes paradise in great
detail, such as gardens underneath which rivers run. It contains rivers of milk
unchanging in flavour and rivers of purified honey. In paradise is fruit of
every kind. No fatigue shall be felt in paradise neither shall there be any idle
talk. There shall be no cause of sin, difficulty, anxiety, trouble or hardship.
Paradise shall thus have peace and bliss.
b.
Paradise is described in several verses of the Qur’an including:
-
Surah Ale Imran Chapter 3 verse 15
-
Surah Ale Imran Chapter 3 verse 198
-
Surah Al-Nisa Chapter 4 verse 57
-
Surah Al Maidah Chapter 5 verse 119
-
Surah At-Taubah Chapter 9 verse 72
-
Surah Al-Hajr Chapter 15 verses 45-48
-
Surah Al-Kahf Chapter 18 verse 31
-
Surah Al-Hajj Chapter 22 verse 23
-
Surah Al-Fatir Chapter 35 verses 33-35
-
Surah Yasin Chapter 36 verses 55-58
-
Surah Al-Saffat Chapter 37 verses 41-49
-
Surah Al-Zukhruf Chapter 43 verses 68-73
-
Surah Al-Dukhan Chapter 44 verses 51-57
-
Surah Muhammad Chapter 47 verse 15
-
Surah Al-Tur Chapter 52 verses 17-24
-
Surah Al-Rahman Chapter 55 verses 46-77
-
Surah Al-Waqiah Chapter 56 verses 11-38
5.
Hell –
Jahannam
Hell is a
place of torment where evil-doers undergo the most terrible pain and suffering
caused by being burnt by hellfire, a fire whose fuel is men and stones. Further,
the Qur’an states that as many times as their skins are burnt, the residents of
hell shall be given fresh skin so that they feel the pain. Hell is described in
several verses of the Qur’an including:
Surah Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2 Verse 24
Surah Al-Nisa
Chapter 4 Verse 56
Surah Ibrahim
Chapter 14 Verses 16,17
Surah Al-Hajj
Chapter 22 Verses 19-22
Surah Al-Fatir
Chapter 35 Verses 36,37
6.
Logical
Concepts for differences in different Individuals
a.
In Hinduism, the differences in two individuals at birth is explained by
stating past karma i.e. actions of the previous life, as the cause of the
differences. There is no scientific or logical proof or evidence of the cycle of
rebirths.
How does
Islam explain these differences? The Islamic explanation for these differences
in different individual is given in Surah Mulk:
‘He who
created death and life,
that He
may try which of you is best in Deed;
And He is
the Exalted in Might; oft-forgiving.
(Al
Qur’an 67:2)
This life
that we live is the test for the hereafter.
THE
CONCEPT OF FATE & DESTINY IN HINDUISM & IN ISLAM
DESTINY
1.
Concept
of Destiny – Qadr in Islam
‘Qadr’ is
the concept of Destiny. Certain aspects of human life are predestined by our
Creator Almighty Allah. For example, where and when will a person be born, the
surroundings and conditions in which he will be born, how long will he live and
where and when he will die. These are predetermined by the Creator.
2.
Concept
of Destiny in Hinduism
Concept
of Destiny in Hinduism is somewhat similar to that of Islam
3.
Present
Conditions are a test
There are
several verses in the Qur’an which clearly specify that our Creator Almighty
Allah tests us in several different ways
It is
mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Do men think that they will be
left alone
on saying, “we believe”,
And that
they will not be tested?”
(Al Qur’an
29:2)
“Or do ye
think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss)
without
such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you?
They
encountered suffering and adversity, and were shaken in spirit that
even The
Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried:
“When
(will come) the help of Allah?”
Ah!
Verily, the help Of Allah is (always) near!
(Al
Qur’an 2:214)
“Every soul
shall have a taste of death
And we test
you by evil and by good by way of trial -
to Us must
ye return.”
(Al Qur’an
21:35)
“Be sure we
shall test you with something of fear and hunger,
some loss in goods or lives,
or the fruits (of your toil),
but give
glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.”
(Al Qur’an
2:155)
And know ye that your possessions
And your
progeny, are but a trial
And that it
is Allah with whom lies
Your highest reward.
(Al Qur’an
8:28)
4.
Judgement
will be based on the facility provided
Each
human being undergoes a test in this world. The test an individual undergoes
differs from person to person, depending upon the comforts and the conditions in
which Allah puts an individual. He passes His judgement accordingly. For example
if a teacher sets a difficult examination paper, the correction is usually
lenient. On the other hand if the teacher sets an easy examination paper, the
correction is strict.
Similarly
some human beings are born in rich families while some others are born in poor
families. Islam instructs every rich Muslim, who has a saving of more than the
Nisaab level, i.e. 85 gms of Gold, to give 2.5% of his excess wealth in
obligatory charity every lunar year. This called the system of ‘Zakaah’ in
Islam. Some rich persons may be giving the minimum required charity; some may be
giving less than what is required while others may not be giving at all. Thus
for a rich man, he may get full marks in Zakat i.e. charity, some may get less,
some may get nil. On the other hand, a poor person who has a saving of less than
85 gms of gold gets full marks in Zakat, because he does not have to give this
compulsory charity. Any normal human being would like to be rich and not poor.
Some may appreciate the rich people and sympathise with the poor, not knowing
that the same wealth may take that person to hell if he does not give charity
and due to this wealth falls prey to temptations of character, while poverty for
the poor man may be an easy path to paradise if he follows the other
commandments of Almighty God. The converse may be true. A wealthy man may earn
paradise by his philanthropy and humility, while a poor person who covets
luxuries and hence resorts to unfair means to get them may be in trouble on the
Day of Judgement.
5.
Children
born with congenital defects are a test for their parents
Some
children are born healthy while others are born handicapped or with a congenital
defect. Irrespective of whether a child is born healthy or handicap, in Islam he
is Masoom i.e. sinless. There is no question of the child being handicapped due
to a carried forward baggage of past sins from ‘a previous life’. Such a belief
will not inculcate a charitable attitude in others. Others might say that the
child deserves his birth defects or the handicap since it is a result of his
‘bad karma’.
Islam
states that such handicaps are a type of test for the parent whether they are
yet thankful towards their Creator or not. Do they retain their patience? Do
they continue to persevere?
There is
a famous saying that a person was sad because he had no shoes to wear until he
saw a person who had no feet.
It is
mentioned in the Qur’an:
And know
ye that your possessions
And your
progeny, are but a trial
And that
it is Allah with whom lies
Your
highest reward.
(Al
Qur’an 8:28)
Allah (swt)
may be testing the parents whether they yet are thankful to their Creator or
not. May be the parents are righteous and pious and deserve Jannah. If Allah
wants to give them a higher place in Jannah, He will test them further, e.g. by
giving a handicap child. Yet if they are thankful to their Creator, they will
deserve a higher reward i.e. the Jannatul Firdous.
There is
a general rule that the more difficult the test, higher the reward. To pass
graduation in Arts and Commerce is relatively easy and if you pass you are
called as a graduate without any special title but if you graduate in the field
of medicine which is comparatively a much more difficult examination, besides
becoming a graduate you are also called as a doctor and the title Dr. is put in
front of your name.
In the
same way Allah (swt) tests, different people in different ways, some with
health, some with disease, some with wealth, some with poverty, some with more
intelligence, some with less, and depending upon the facility He gives the
individual, He tests accordingly.
Thus the
main reason for the differences in the human being is that this life is a test
for the hereafter. Life after death is mentioned in the Qur’an as well as the
Vedas.
Individual differences are not due to transmigration of souls or ‘Samsara’,
These beliefs were added on in subsequent scriptures like the Upanishad, Bhagvad
Gita and the Puranas. The repetitive cycle of birth and death, birth and death,
was unknown and unheard of in the Vedic period.
English translation of verses of the Glorious Qur’an is
taken from Abdullah Yusuf Ali
In the subsequent articles
in the present series, we shall InshaAllah study the similarities between the
concept of worship and between other teachings in Islam and in Hinduism.
And all praises are for
the One and Only God and Creator Allah, who alone is worthy of devotion,
complete submission and worship.
-Dr.Zakir Naik