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Islam
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Hinduism
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In Islam, belief
in One God is the most important belief. Allah in arabic refers to the
One God. It is a known fact that every language has one or more terms that
are used in reference to God and sometimes to lesser deities. This is not
the case with Allah. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing
else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows
its uniqueness when compared with the word god which can be made plural,
gods, or feminine, goddess. It is interesting to notice that Allah is the
personal name of God in Aramaic, the language of Jesus and a sister language
of Arabic. The One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that
Islam associates with God. To a
Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who
is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him. (monotheism) |
Hinduism has
many deities. This is much like ancient Greek and Roman religions. The
god Brahma is the creator of the world. The god Vishnu who preserves the
world through his many incarnations. The god Shiva will destroy the world
which will be rebuilt by Brahma. In their Rig-Veda Book, we find prayers
to some 70 objects, each serving as a deity. The concept of god Brahma
is similar to the concept of Trinity in Christianity. The Brahma is responsible
for all workings of the world and everyone is a part of him. Different
gods are viewed as different aspects of him. (polytheism) |
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| In Islam, all humans
are created equal. For example, there is no superiority of an Arab over
a non-Arab, or vice versa. Blacks and whites have no superiority over each
other. The same holds with any other nationality or ethnicity. Islam rejects
characterizing God in any human form or depicting Him as favoring certain
individuals or nations on the basis of wealth, power or race. He
created the human beings as equals. They may distinguish themselves and
get His favor through virtue and piety only. |
Hinduism has a caste
system, with four major castes. Members of each are required by strict
religious laws to follow certain hereditary occupations and to refrain
from intermarriage or eating with members of the other castes. The highest,
or priestly and intellectual, caste is that of the Brahmans. The remaining
three in order are Kshatriya (ruling or warrior caste), Vaisya (common
artisan and agricultural caste), and the Sudras (the low caste people). |
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| Muslims eat all
wholesome and good food including meat of cows (beef), lamb, goat, and
chicken. |
Cow is a sacred
animal and a deity for Hindus. Cows, therefore, can not be killed or eaten
in Hinduism. |
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| Muslims believe
that each person has a body and soul. At death, your body is separated
from your soul. Your faith and actions in this life will determine your
fate in the Life After Death. There is a Day of Judgment when this life
will come to an end for every one, and all humans from Adam to the last
person, will be brought to a second life, rejoining of your body and soul.
On that Day, God will put people in Hell or Heaven based on their beliefs
and deeds of this life. |
Hinduism believes
in body and soul. Your soul returns to your body after your death. This
cycle repeats seven times according to some. Your status or caste in next
life depends on your deeds of the previous life. This is called Reincarnation
in Hinduism. |
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