Islam and Hinduism
Around the globe, millions of modern-day worshipers of God still practice ancient religions. Of the various religions, only one has the Christian religion, which has more believers than any other Muslim or Hindu religion. Islam is practiced by about 1.6 billion people worldwide, but mainly in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Hinduism is also practiced by the 1 billion people found mainly in the Indian subcontinent.
Muslims believe in one God, or one religion. Their Prophet Muhammad founded their religion in the seventh century, based on his vision from their god, Allah. Followers, so-called Muslims, adhere to the five pillars of their faith:
1. To honor only one god
2. Pray five times a day
3. Fasting
4. Helping the poor
5. Taking a pilgrimage, known as the Hajj, to Mecca, the holiest city in which religion was founded.
Hindus and Muslims are two different religious philosophies, social traditions and literary traditions. They are not married and do not eat together, and they are actually members of two different societies based primarily on conflicting ideas and opinions.
Those who practice Hinduism believe in polytheism just as religion believes in polytheism. Hinduism has many principles that followers can follow to break the cycle of rebirth called reincarnation and reach nirvana. According to Hinduism, those who follow the dharma, or law, are given good karma, or rewards, for doing good deeds.
Similarities
Although the two religions, Islam and Hinduism, differ greatly in their teachings and beliefs, they have much in common. Both religions have a set of rules that believers must follow. To the Hindus, their rules are dharma, and many Muslims follow sharia law, which is a set of religious rules one must obey.
In both religions, men are allowed to have more than one wife and to marry more than one wife. Both religions have also clearly stated the means of salvation through a series of laws. Although the method of reaching the afterlife is very different, both religions claim that there is an afterlife for those who believe and practice their faith regularly.
Hindus and Muslims should also pray several times a day. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, while Hindus are expected to pray three times a day.
The differences
The distinction between the two religions is stark and far greater than monotheism and polytheism. Hindus do not have prophets, but Muslims have many prophets besides Muhammad, including Jesus Christ.
Hinduism operates in accordance with the principle of Indian segregation, which divides society based on theme. The untouchables fell down in faith, and the Brahmins, or holy men, are placed very high. The principle of separation of Hindus also determines the method of reincarnation. Brahmins ascend directly to nirvana at death, but the untouchables take a nomadic route through many different lives before they can reach the afterlife. Muslims, on the other hand, have no caste system. Any believer who practices faith according to the five pillars is allowed to go directly to the afterlife.
Hindus, in spite of their divisive system of religion, are a united religion and respect the importance of other religions, such as Buddhism and Sikhism. However, Muslims have strict rules about those whom they consider to be unbelievers, or non-believers in Islam. Some Islamic sects avoid those who do not believe in Allah.
Religious violence between Hindus and Muslims erupted during September-October 1969 in Gujarat. It was the deadliest Hindu-Muslim violence since 1947 to divide India. The violence includes attacks on Muslims by their neighbors.
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