In this post we will compare the description of Allah in the Quran with the description of Brahman in Hinduism. Our study shows that Allah or Brahman are two names of the same power.
Omnipresent
1] Verse– And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah . Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing (Quran 2:115).
Our Viewpoint- Every aspect of this universe has a physical form and the other is its consciousness. Like every particle of sand has a very subtle level of consciousness. Similarly, trees, animals and humans also have a physical form and consciousness. Between these two, consciousness is what drives the physical. Just as a human being thinks first and then his body works accordingly. Hence, consciousness is the main thing and the physical matter is moved by it.
The consciousness of all the physical substances in the universe is interconnected with each other just as the consciousness of 11 players of a football team unites and becomes one; or the MPs of a party speak together in one voice in the Parliament. If this connected or holistic consciousness is raised to the universe level, then it is called Allah or Brahman. This definition of Allah matches with the Quran, although no description of what is Allah has been given in the Quran. We can understand Allah or Brahman as a huge psychic cloud. Every particle of the world is moved by it. The consciousness of every sand, tree, animal and human being is in contact with this Universal Consciousness and is given direction by Allah or Brahman. Man is free to obey the orders of Allah or not. The purpose of the Quran is to explain to man that he should obey the orders of Allah. This consciousness of Allah or Brahman is spread throughout the universe, so it is said in this verse that the east and the west belong to Allah. Allah or Brahman can be worshipped in any direction.
2] Verse– And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided (Quran 2:186).
Our Viewpoint- When a man says that this body is mine, then the consciousness is dominant and the body is subservient to it. In this verse, it is said that when a man calls out to Allah or Brahman, then our individual consciousness becomes connected to the omnipresent consciousness of Allah or Brahman. Just as a beggar requests a king, similarly our individual consciousness requests the omnipresent Allah or Brahman. When such a call is made, Allah or Brahman answers it. Allah or Brahman is always active. He never sleeps. Consciousness is ever alive. Our unconscious is active even in sleep. He answers requests all the time. Allah or Brahman wants to take the world in a particular direction and orders the entire creation to move in that direction. But some people act contrary to that order and create obstacles in the direction. That is why it is said that everyone should obey the orders of Allah or Brahman and walk on the right path, that is, walk in the direction that Allah or Brahman wants.
3] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great (Quran 2:255).
Our Viewpoint- Just as a human being takes care of his body with his hands and feet, similarly Allah or Brahman takes care of mountains, sky, wind, clouds, animals, birds, humans etc. with his psychic orders. Just as the sun does not sleep and keeps burning for twenty-four hours, similarly the consciousness of Allah or Brahman is always active; or just as there is day at some place and night in another place, similarly Allah or Brahman remains awake for 24 hours and keeps running the entire universe. Just as a human being cannot raise his hand without his mind’s permission, similarly whatever is there in the world runs on the orders of Allah or Brahman. It is important to clarify here that a human being is free to follow or not follow the orders of Allah or Brahman. But if a human being goes against the orders of Allah or Brahman, then it has bad consequences because most of the creation follows the orders of Allah or Brahman. Therefore, if a person goes against the orders of Allah or Brahman, then the rest of the creation opposes him and puts him in trouble. Just like the common people catch a thief. That is why it is said that nothing happens without the permission of Allah or Brahman.
4] Verse– To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great (Quran 42:4).
Our Viewpoint- The consciousness of Allah or Brahman is omnipresent. It is spread everywhere. All the particles in this universe have consciousness. It said in the Quran that the mountains accepted to prostrate themselves to Allah which means that they have consciousness. The consciousness of every particle of this universe is connected to Allah; and is guided by it. Just as the unconscious mind of a person drives his conscious mind; similarly, Allah drives the unconscious mind. That is why it is said that whatever is there in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him.
5] Verse– Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things (Quran 24:35).
Our Viewpoint- In the first sentence it is said that Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. Here the meaning of light should be taken as liveliness or consciousness. Just like the sun is alive in the sky, similarly whatever is moving in this world is moving with the orders of Allah or Brahman, that is why it is said that the light of the heavens and the earth is Allah or Brahman.
Further it is said that Allah is like a shining star. Just like stars shine in the vast universe, in the same way the consciousness of Allah or Brahman is shining in this universe.
Further it is said that just like that Allah’s light is like that of a lamp lit with olive oil. The Quran was revealed in Arabia. There, olive oil is considered to be the best. But the Quran has been revealed for the entire humanity. Olives are not grown in every country of the world. It is also said that Allah is neither Eastern nor Western. Olives are grown at a particular place whereas Allah is everywhere. It is not possible that the lamp of Allah does not burn in those countries where olive oil is not available. Therefore the meaning of olive should be taken as “excellent” or “good”. Allah is like a lamp or a star that is lit by the best oil.
It is further said that the one who is neither eastern nor western means that the consciousness of Allah or Brahman is omnipresent, spreads in the whole universe. There is no east and west in it because east and west are counted from one place. But Allah or Brahman is present everywhere, therefore it is neither eastern nor western in it.
It is further said that his oil flares up on its own. No one else runs Allah or Brahman. Allah or Brahman is self-existent. He runs himself. He has his own energy, therefore it is said that the oil flares up on its own. It is also said that Allah or Brahman is like a star or like a lamp of olive oil. He himself does not burn with its fire. Allah or Brahman is equally spread in fire, water etc.
Finally, it is said that Allah or Brahman shows the path to whomsoever he wants. The truth is that Allah or Brahman shows the right path to every particle of this universe but some people understand the path shown while some deny it. Therefore, it is said that those who walk in the right direction do so only because of the orders of Allah or Brahman.
The Quran does not clarify why some people do not follow the orders of Allah? It does not seem appropriate that Allah wants them not to follow His orders. Our view is that every person is free to follow or not follow the orders of Allah. For those who follow the orders of Allah it is said that “Allah shows the path of attaining his light to whomsoever he wants.”
6] Verse– It is Allah who erected the heavens without pillars that you [can] see; then He established Himself above the Throne and made subject the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. He arranges [each] matter; He details the signs that you may, of the meeting with your Lord, be certain (Quran 13:2).
Our Viewpoint- At one time, the entire universe was contained in a point of unlimited weight which is called “Singularity.” In that Point, consciousness and physical matter were merged with each other. There was no difference between them just like the flame and light are one. Flame and smoke – both are physical substances and there is a difference between them. But there is no difference between flame and light. When there is flame, there will definitely be light. Both cannot be separated. Similarly, matter and consciousness cannot be separated in Singularity. The consciousness of Singularity caused an explosion in the physical matter. The matter spread out. Innumerable parts of physical matter were formed and their separate consciousness also arose. All these separate consciousnesses were coordinated with each other and this overall consciousness was called Allah or Brahman. This Allah or Brahman gave direction to physical matter. This has been said in this verse that Allah or Brahman created the sky, sun and moon and put them to work. “Put them to work” means gave them direction. Gradually the physical matter evolved and became living matte. Plants, animals and humans were formed. Quran says that all this world was created so that man can understand that Allah or Brahman is the creator of all and he should meet Allah or Brahman. This was said so that human beings have the confidence of meeting God and they follow His directions. This is what is called “merging into Brahman” or Brahmaleen in Hinduism.
7] Verse– Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs (Quran 39:62).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is said that Allah or Brahman takes responsibility of everything. Whatever is happening in the world is being achieved by directing the physical objects by the consciousness of Allah or Brahman. Like Allah or Brahman tells someone to do farming, tells someone to do business, tells someone to fight war etc. Therefore, whatever is happening in the world is the responsibility of Allah or Brahman and He is the one who is controlling everything. Every person is free to follow the orders of Allah or not. “Controlling” means that the person who does not follow the orders of Allah will be punished. Allah created the world so that man turns towards Allah. For this it is necessary to stay alive. Allah has created all the things for survival. Allah wants that by using them man should follow the path shown by Allah.
Development
8] Verse– Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (Quran 23:115).
Our Viewpoint- At one time, this entire universe was contained in a point which had infinite density. That point contained both the consciousness and all the physical matter of this universe. This is called Singularity, which means that there was only a single existence. After this, the consciousness of that point wished to become many from one, as stated in the Upanishads. In consequence, the Point exploded and this universe was created from Singularity. Then, separation was created in it, like two particles of sand are separate.
The particles of matter separated from each other evolved. Plants, animals and humans evolved. The purpose of this separation was that the consciousness of every particle or every soul can attain Allah or Brahman. That is why it was said that do not think that you, that is, the consciousness of every particle, will not come back to Allah or Brahman. You got separated from that Allah or Brahman in Singularity and will merge back into that same Allah or Brahman after your consciousness evolves.
The Quran says that Allah’s power was independent and outside the Singularity. Allah exploded the Singularity while being outside it. Allah’s consciousness remains intact. On this point, we believe that every particle in this universe has consciousness. Therefore, if Allah was outside the Singularity, then at the time of Singularity two consciousnesses would become present—the Singularity’s and Allah’s. We cannot understand what was the relationship between these two consciousnesses. It is possible that these two consciousnesses were the same as we believe. It is also possible that these two consciousnesses were different as traditionally believed in the Quran.
There is a debate in Islam whether Allah created the world from nothing or some matter already existed and Allah created it again. Both things can be true. We do not know where the Singularity came from. It is possible that Allah created the Singularity from nothing. It is also possible that there was some matter before the Singularity. Both views are in agreement with the Quran.
There is no dispute that human consciousness evolves. The consciousness that goes back to Allah is higher. If we believe that the consciousness of the Singularity was Allah and it exploded on its own, then the logical consequence would be that that consciousness or Allah evolves. This is not said in the Quran but this idea is not refuted either. Both are possible.
We believe that when Allah or Brahman was in the Singularity, the level of that consciousness was low. When separation happened and plants, animals, humans etc. were created. They labored, their consciousness evolved and it will now merge again with Allah or Brahman after attaining higher consciousness.
This statement of the Quran is contrary to Hindu Mayavada. In Mayavada it is said that Brahman created the world as a game or jest without any purpose. Whereas in the Quran it is said that there is some purpose behind the creation of the universe. That purpose has not been clarified in the Quran. Our understanding is that the purpose is the evolution of the lower consciousness of inanimate matter to become higher consciousness of human beings and return to Allah or merge with Brahman.
The Quran is positive towards creation. Creation should be viewed in a good and positive light that through it we get a chance to evolve and merge with Allah or Brahman.
There are many schools of thought among Hindus on this point. Among these, the ideology of Mayavada is basically negative, that this world is Maya or a dream and there is no essence in it. The essence is that of Brahman. By saying that the world is unreal, a person is been made aware of Brahman. The Quran is speaking of the entire universe when it says that the creation is real and has a purpose. Mayavada is speaking only to the evolved humans who have developed the capacity to attain Brahman. Therefore, Mayavada is also a path to attain Brahman.
The return to Allah or Brahman is mentioned in both Quran and Hinduism but the Quran’s view towards the material creation is positive whereas some views among Hindus are positive and some are negative as in Mayavada.
9] Verse– He who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days and then established Himself above the Throne – the Most Merciful, so ask about Him one well informed (Quran 25:59).
Our Viewpoint- This verse says that Allah created the heavens and the earth. This can be said to mean that Allah and the earth are different. But this can be applied only after the explosion of the Singularity. It is difficult to say whether matter and consciousness were one in the Singularity or separate. The Quran supports both possibilities. After the separation, Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days. We understand heaven to be the place where angels and devtas live.
10] Verse– And present to them the example of the life of this world, [its being] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability (Quran 18:45).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is told that due to rain, plants are formed on earth, then they die and become dust and fly in the air. This is a part of the process of evolution.
The Quran says that every atom separated from the Singularity and it became a mineral, then it was born in the form of a plant, after the plant it became a seed, after the seed it again became a plant and after this it became an animal and a human being respectively. The same soul which is in the sand particle, with its evolution it becomes the soul of a plant, animal and human being. As a human soul, it has the ability to attain Allah or Brahman. One must understand that this cycle of creation is being run by Allah or Brahman. He has created it only so that one can move forward from the consciousness of Singularity at a low level and become consciously one with Allah or Brahman and merge with Allah or Brahman.
11] Verse– It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain from the sky and produced thereby some fruits as provision for you and subjected for you the ships to sail through the sea by His command and subjected for you the rivers (Quran 14:32).
12] Verse– It is Allah who subjected to you the sea so that ships may sail upon it by His command and that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful (Quran 45:12).
Our Viewpoint- This verse describes Allah’s supremacy over the universe. The main question is what is the purpose of Allah’s creation of the universe? The Quran says that man has to return to Allah. This is possible only when man’s consciousness develops. This verse should be understood on this basis. Apart from plants etc., it also talks about the sea and boat. Man finds himself small in front of the vastness of the sea. Similarly, the individual is small in front of Allah. Also, his consciousness develops by trading by boat. Although this is not said explicitly in the Quran, but such development of consciousness has also not been denied. With the awareness of both these things–i.e., the vastness of the sea and development of consciousness through trade etc.– man can use his consciousness to merge with Allah or Brahman.
13] Verse– It is Allah who made for you the grazing animals upon which you ride, and some of them you eat (Quran 40:79).
Our Viewpoint- There is a natural food chain in this universe like grass grows, animals eat that grass, and those animals like goat are eaten by humans. The consciousness of goat is higher than the consciousness of grass; and human consciousness is higher than the consciousness of goat. In this way the small consciousness of grass keeps on evolving. In this process of evolution four legged animals are one link in which we use both for riding and for eating. The basic thing is that this natural food chain has been seen in a positive way that it is the path of evolution of consciousness whose final stage is to merge in Allah or Brahman.
14A] Verse– Allah is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your “partners” who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him (Quran 30:40).
14B] Verse– Allah is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent (Quran 30:54).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is told that Allah created man, gave him food and then gave him death. After this he revived him. There are two possible meanings of revival. The traditional thinking of Islam is that man will be revived on the Day of Judgment. Apart from this, our thinking is that this verse talks about rebirth. This verse can be understood in both ways.
The basic point is that man cannot reach Allah or Brahman in a single birth. In one birth, some desires arise in his heart and he fulfills them. Till the time he does not fulfill all his desires or destroys them with the help of yoga etc., he does not get the ability to reach Allah or Brahman. Therefore, system of rebirth was made in the creation. The desires of man which remain unfulfilled in one birth, he may fulfil those desires in the next birth. In this sequence, when all his desires are fulfilled, then he is in a position to think about Allah or Brahman. The reader may choose between the two possibilities according to his understanding.
15] Verse– Allah begins creation; then He will repeat it; then to Him you will be returned (Quran 30:11).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is said that Allah is the originator of the universe. Here the traditional meaning of the universe is taken as the “entire universe.” The entire universe will be presented before Allah on the one single Day of Judgment. This is called resurrection. But to create a common understanding with Hindus, we suggest that resurrection can be understood as applicable to a person. This verse matches both the meanings. Our understanding is that when a person is born, the world he gets is his universe. Then after death, he is born in some other place and that is a new universe for him. This could be called resurrection in the Quran.
It is said that in the end, the soul will return to Allah or Brahman. When by repeatedly coming and going in the world the soul is purified, it will consciously merge with Allah or Brahman.
16] Verse– It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah , your Lord; then blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds (Quran 40:64).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse, creation has been described in a very positive way. It is said that Allah has given man a good form and good things.
Here, two different paths have been described in popular Hinduism and Quran. In popular Hinduism, it is said that man turns towards Allah or Brahman due to suffering. When one gets suffering in worldly activities, then man becomes disinterested towards the world and he develops attachment towards Brahman.
In comparison, Quran says that this world has been given good forms and good things and this is a positive process. If the teachings of Quran are accepted along with this process, then we can reach Allah through this happy world.
In Hinduism, both Nivriti (detachment) Path and Pravritti (attachment) Path have been described. Quran follows Pravritti or attachment Path. It is said that just as a person attains salvation while working in the world in the Pravritti Path, similarly, it is said in this verse that good things have been given so that by enjoying them, man can attain Allah or Brahman. The enjoyment becomes a path to attain Allah only when a person recognizes that the enjoyment is a gift of Allah.
17] Verse– It is Allah who made for you the night that you may rest therein and the day giving sight. Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most of the people are not grateful (Quran 40:61).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is said that Allah created the night so that man can rest and created the day so that he can run around. But from the Hindu point of view it has a deeper meaning. It is said in the Vedas to lead us from darkness to light. Similarly, in this verse it is said that Allah first created the night and then made the day. This is an act of leading from darkness to light.
It is also said that most people are not grateful to Allah or Brahman for this pleasant process. The basic message of the Quran is that in this process of enjoyment, we should understand that this enjoyment is a gift from Allah or Brahman. Allah or Brahman should be attained through happiness, enjoyment and light. This is the positive strategy of the Quran.
Venerable
18A] Verse– Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge – [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise (Quran 3:18).
18B] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names (Quran 20:8).
18C] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him. And upon Allah let the believers rely (Quran 64:13).
18D] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence (Quran 3:2).
Our Viewpoint- Hindus also believe that the power of Brahman is supreme and the final authority is with Brahman. But Hinduism has a slightly different opinion on whether no one is worthy of worship except Allah or Brahman. Hindus believe that it is difficult to contemplate Allah or Brahman, so to reach Allah, some steps have to be taken which include idol worship, devtas and incarnations (avataras).
The Quran says that devtas (deities) and incarnations are not worthy of worship. Hindus have no objection to the fact that Allah or Brahman is worthy of worship, but there is a difference of opinion on the steps made in Hinduism to reach that Allah or Brahman. In Islam also, mosque and Kaaba etc. can be seen as steps, but mosque and Kaaba are not worshipped in the way deities and incarnations are worshipped by Hindus. The summary is that only Allah or Brahman is supreme and ultimate power. There is no difference between Hinduism and Islam on this point. But Islam asks every person to reach Allah or Brahman directly, whereas Hinduism accepts steps in between.
19] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne” (Quran 27:26).
Our Viewpoint- Here Allah or Brahman is said to be seated on a great throne. The Prime Minister rules over all the citizens of the country and the Prime Minister is revered by them. However, the Prime Minister is revered only by the citizens of his country. But Allah or Brahman is revered by all the citizens of the entire world. Apart from this, Allah is revered not only by humans but also by animals, plants and sand etc. As it is said in the Quran that Allah asked the mountains to bow their heads before him and they accepted. This shows that the throne of Allah or Brahman is so huge that it is revered not only by humans but by everything in this universe.
Resurrection
20] Verse– Allah – there is no deity except Him. He will surely assemble you for [account on] the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than Allah in statement (Quran 4:87).
Our Viewpoint- The traditional meaning of this verse is that on the Day of Judgment all living and dead persons will stand before Allah for judgement. The word “you” is used in the plural in the Quran.
Our further understanding of this verse is that after the death of all persons their souls go to the sky and face the souls of the dead people who died earlier. Then a court is held. The souls of the dead are blessed by the souls of the past for good deeds and punished for bad deeds–according to the orders of Allah. This is called the Day of Judgment. Thus the supremacy of Allah and the judgement by the souls – both things are true. Death is inevitable, so it is said that Allah leads all persons towards the Day of Judgment.
21] Verse– Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought (Quran 39:42).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is told that when a person goes into deep sleep, he comes in contact with Allah or Brahman. This is called Sushupti in Hinduism. After this, the soul of those who die goes to the sky. According to tradition, Allah himself gives justice at this time. But our understanding is that this justice is given by Allah through other souls. After death, the dead soul comes in contact with other souls in the sky and there that court is run by Allah or Brahman. After Sushupti, Allah sends some people back to the world in the awakened state and this sequence continues until their time is over.
Kind
22A] Verse– Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower? (Quran 38:9)
22B] Verse– For those it is expected that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving (Quran 4:99).
Our Viewpoint- According to Quran, the purpose of human life is to return to Allah. This is called merging into Brahman or being Brahmleen in Hinduism. To attain Allah, man has to do many tasks in this life in which the consciousness rises and finally reaches Allah. In this process, if a person does not understand Allah’s order correctly and takes a wrong step, then Allah forgives him. If someone makes a mistake, then punishing him does not increase the development of consciousness, whereas if he is forgiven and he moves in the right direction, then the development of consciousness continues. That is why it is said that Allah is forgiving. Those who make mistakes should be brought on the right path and given an opportunity to reach Allah or to be Brahmleen.
23] Verse– Allah is Subtle with His servants; He gives provisions to whom He wills. And He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might (Quran 42:19).
Our Viewpoint- It is said in this verse that Allah provides sustenance to whomsoever He wishes. This does not mean that Allah is crazy or keeps doing things as per His will. The true situation is that this world is so vast that it is very difficult to understand Allah’s instructions in it. We do not understand what Allah has ordered and in which direction we should move. Therefore, the statement that “Allah provides sustenance to whomsoever He wishes” should be understood to mean that the right direction is beyond our understanding and it appears as if Allah does as He wishes.
24] Verse– That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized – Allah will surely aid him. Indeed, Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving (Quran 22:60).
Our Viewpoint- If someone commits a mistake and after the mistake he is punished so that he gets on the right path. If the punishment is less, then he will not get on the right path. And if the punishment is more, then also he gets discouraged and does not get on the right path again. That is why it is said that if excessive punishment is given to him then Allah will help him i.e. if the punishment is more than required then Allah will help him to come on the right path. The basic objective is that every person should follow the direction shown by Allah and only that much punishment should be given which is sufficient to take the person on the right path.