Is Hindu idol worship acceptable in the Quran as by Sabeans? || Are Sabeans idolaters?
- The Structure of Divinity in Hinduism
It is often said that the Hindus are idolaters which refers to the people who worship idols. However, this characterization requires more examination. In Hinduism, the three principal gods are Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (or Shiva), along with numerous other deities. These gods are central to Hindu worship and are represented through temple idols.
However, it is essential to recognize that these deities are not independent entities. The concept of ‘Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh’ in Hinduism is derived from ‘Brahman’ who is the ultimate reality – a singular God who permeates all existence, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. This supreme being ‘Brahman’ exists above all lesser deities including ‘Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh’, establishing a hierarchy of divine beings within Hindu belief. Below them are other gods such as Ram, Krishna, Varun, Indra, and many others. These deities form a layered structure of divinity, where Brahman remains supreme over all.
Hindu texts explain that, initially, Brahman existed alone and decided to create. First, Brahman manifested as Devi, the feminine form of the One Divine. Then Devi created Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. These gods then continued the act of creation.
The Mesopotamian religion also presents a triad of gods: Enlil, Enki, and Anu. In this system, Enlil is the ruler of the heavens, Enki governs the underworld, and Anu (also known as El) holds dominion over the earth. These are parallel to Brahma=Heavens; Vishnu=Earth and Mahesh=Underworld. The distinction here is that in Mesopotamian belief these gods operate independently with no supreme deity ruling over them. Unlike in Hinduism, where Brahman reigns above all, Mesopotamian gods have no such higher power, making them the final entities in their hierarchy.
- Idolatry, Monotheism and the Quranic Teachings
The Quran, in verse 31:13, explicitly warns against associating partners with Allah: “O Muhammad, then Lukman said to his son while he was instructing him, ‘O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, association with Him is a great injustice.'” This notion is central to Islamic monotheism, where Allah’s supremacy cannot be shared or diminished by any other deity.
The comparison between Hinduism and Mesopotamian religious thought becomes important here. Both systems have a triad of gods. However, while Hindus believe in Brahman, the overarching supreme God above Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, the Mesopotamians consider their deities—Enlil, Enki, and Anu—to be independent, with no superior god above them. This distinction defines the Mesopotamian gods as partners to Allah in the Quranic sense because they possess autonomous power, whereas, in Hinduism, the deities are subordinate to Brahman.
Over time, the Mesopotamian god Anu (or El) had a son named Baal, who evolved and became a central figure. Similarly, the pre-Islamic Arabian god Hubal, a derivative of Baal, was widely worshipped. Upon the advent of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad found the people engaged in the worship of Hubal, considering it a partner to Allah. He subsequently broke the idols of Hubal to reaffirm the oneness of Allah, emphasizing that you should not make partners with Allah.
- The ‘Sabeans’ and Hinduism: A Quranic Perspective
In Hinduism, an intriguing connection is drawn in the book ‘Now or Never’ by Maulana Shams Usmani, interpreted by Abdullah Tariq. In this work, it is suggested that Hindus were historically known as ‘Sabeans’. The Quran mentions the Sabeans in several verses and Abdullah Tariq highlights certain characteristics of the Sabeans including belief in one God while simultaneously practicing polytheism.
The Sabeans believed in one supreme God, Allah (or Brahman, in the Hindu context), while also venerating other gods such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. They worshipped angels as stars, held a strong faith in astronomy, and engaged in fire worship – all practices observed in Hinduism. Therefore, Abdullah Tariq concludes that the Sabeans were Hindus.
Interestingly, the Quran does not label the Sabeans as unbelievers. Instead, it positions them on the same level as Jews and Christians. In verse 2:62, it states: “Surely, those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians and the Sabeans, whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good deeds shall have their reward under their Lord.” This sentiment is reiterated in verses 5:69 and 22:17, clearly showing that the Sabeans are regarded as believers.
While Abdullah Tariq characterizes the Sabeans as idol worshippers, the Quran categorizes them as believers. This reconciliation is possible because the Quran focuses on those who believe in Allah. In this context, the name Allah can be synonymous with Brahman. When Hindus worship Brahman, even if they also venerate Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, they are not associating partners with Allah. These gods are not independent deities; they are subordinate to Brahman, the supreme God.
Consequently, the Quran’s prohibition of making partners with Allah applies to the Mesopotamian deities Enlil, Enki, and Anu, who had no god above them. In contrast, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are subordinate to Brahman and are not considered equals to Allah. Thus, the creation and worship of idols in Hinduism, under the framework of Brahman’s supremacy, do not constitute shirk (associating partners with Allah).
- The Unity of God in Hinduism and Islam
The Quran’s inclusion of the Sabeans as believers alongside Jews and Christians reveals a deeper understanding of idol worship within monotheism. So, Hindus believe in one God “La Ilaha Illahllah” (There is no god but Allah) while also accepting the existence of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh as deities subordinate to Brahman. Below these three principal gods are many others, yet all are subordinate to the supreme God, Brahman.
Therefore, Hinduism cannot be classified as pure idolatry, for the belief in one supreme God governs all other deities. Hindus and Muslims must understand that idol worship when grounded in the belief in one ultimate God, does not equate to associating partners with Allah. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are not considered equal in power to Brahman, and as long as the supremacy of one God is upheld, the worship of these lesser deities is acceptable.
The conclusion is that, according to the Quran, Hindus who believe in Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh and practice idol worship while venerating stars and angels are indeed believers. They are not unbelievers and should be accorded the same respect by Muslims as Jews and Christians.
Likewise, Hindus should recognize that their idol worship is not about making partners with Allah but rather acknowledging the supremacy of one God above all others. Nonetheless, Hindus may need to refine their practice to better emphasize the supremacy of Brahman in their worship, as, in some cases, the focus may shift towards the lesser gods. The core message remains that the recognition of one supreme God validates their belief system including idol worship, and this is consistent with the teachings of the Holy Quran.
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Read the full post in Hindi: https://www.ekishwar.in/are-sabeans-of-the-quran-hindu-idol-worshippers/