A Hindu is wondering: Which is better, Hinduism or Islam, and why?

The best religion is that which has proof that it is the religion with which the Creator (may He be glorified and exalted) is pleased, and which He sent down as light for humanity, to bring them happiness in their worldly lives and to save them in the Hereafter. Proof or evidence must be very clear, so that people can have no doubts about it or challenge it. Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) knows what the liars and charlatans produce of flawed evidence to support their lies; hence He chose to support His Messengers and Prophets with comprehensive miracles and clear signs, which confirmed to people the truthfulness of this man who has received revelation from his Lord, so that they will believe in him and follow him. 

Thus the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) brought dazzling miracles, of which there are many, about which huge books have been written. But the greatest of them is the Holy Qur’an, which challenged the Arabs to produce anything like it in all aspects of its perfection, because it contains the linguistic miracle that the eloquent speakers of Quraysh – who had attained the pinnacle of eloquence, as attested by all historians – could not produce the like of it. It also contains the scientific miracle, as the Holy Qur’an – and also the Prophet’s Sunnah – refer to some scientific facts before anybody knew about them, the like of which humanity could not have known at that time except via divine revelation. It also spoke of events in the distant past and of future events, and Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) could not have had prior knowledge of history, nor was there anyone in that land who possessed this knowledge at all, apart from some remnants of the people of the Book. It also contains the legislative miracle, as is seen in its comprehensive system that covers personal manners and etiquette, rulings on the family and personal matters, regulation of international relations and rulings on social matters; it lay the foundations for principles of justice and freedom among people; it affirmed of the concepts of this world, the unseen and the Hereafter, and the concepts of eternal bliss or doom. All of that came from an unlettered man who could neither read nor write, but his enemies attested to his honesty and trustworthiness before his friends did. Then this Qur’an became the basis on which the Muslims built the brilliant Islamic civilisation that has lasted for more than fourteen hundred years. 

The best religion in our view is the religion which connects you to one force, which is the force that created you and blessed you and has full control over the heavens and the earth. It is the force that will have mercy on you and will be with you in the Hereafter, if you believe in it and do righteous deeds. It is Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the One, the Unique, the Self-Sustaining and All-Sustaining. (The best religion) does not connect you to anything other than Him, for everything other than Him is created and weak, and is in need of Him, may He be glorified. Thus man can liberate himself from the bonds of servitude to anything but Allah, the True God, and he can free himself from earthly connections that cause humanity humiliation, wrongdoing, and persecution, all of which is done in the name of the false religion that approves of the caste system [see the research paper at-Tabaqaat fi’l-Mujtama‘ al-Hindoosi (Caste in Hindu society) in the book by Dr al-A‘zami, Diraasaat (p. 4)], approves of servitude to other than Allah, may He be exalted, and in fact approves of servitude to animals such as cows and others. Man, whom Allah has honoured with reason and the soul which is created by Him, becomes a prisoner to those animals which he regards as holy, and reveres and venerates them, although they have no power to bring him any benefit or ward off any harm; indeed they cannot do that for themselves, let alone others. 

The best religion is that which offers an integrated system which guides man to the way of happiness in this world and the Hereafter, because the aim of religions is to achieve happiness, and that cannot be achieved without guidance from Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. In Islam we find guidance on all aspects of life: economic, political, social, familial and psychological, in order to achieve this integrated happiness. When the Muslims adhered to these teachings in the earliest period, they established a prosperous life one the basis of justice and fair-mindedness. When they became heedless, they lost the prosperity that Allah had granted to them. 

The best of religions is that which came latest in chronological sequence, confirming what came before it of true religions, abrogating some of the previously-revealed laws that were suitable to the time and place in which they became widespread, and fulfilling the prophecies mentioned in those religions, that spoke of a Prophet who would be sent at the end of time, and described his signs and characteristics. The Holy Qur’an tells us that all of the previous Messengers and Prophets knew of a Prophet who would be sent at the end of time, whose name would be Muhammad, with whom Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, would bring to an end the series of Messengers. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: ‘Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allah, etc.), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.’ Allah said: ‘Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?’ They said: ‘We agree.’ He said: ‘Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).’”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:81]. 

Hence we find in the remnant that was not distorted of the previous religions clear prophecies that speak of this noble Prophet. The Torah and the Gospel are full of them, but there is no need to quote them here. Rather what concerns us is that which is mentioned in the holy books of the Hindus of clear prophecies that speak of our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). These prophecies do not necessarily mean that all of these books are sound or true; rather they point to a few words of truth remaining in them, that was taken from the Messages and Prophets that were sent a long time ago. 

These texts have been quoted by Dr Muhammad Diya’ ar-Rahman al-A‘zami in his valuable book Diraasaat fi’l-Yahoodiyyah wa’l-Maseehiyyah wa Adyaan al-Hind (Studies in Judaism, Christianity and Indian Religions), p. 703-746, especially since the author is a doctor from India who is able to read those books that have not been translated into Arabic as far as we know. 

1.

“At that time in the city of Shambhala (which means the safe land or place of peace), in the house of a man whose name is Vishnu Bhagat (meaning ‘Abdullah or slave of God), who is pure of heart, in his house will be born Kalki (meaning one who is pure and free of sins and iniquities).”

Bhagavata Purana, 2/18 

It is well-known that the name of the father of our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was ‘Abdullah (meaning slave of Allah or servant of God), and in the Qur’an, Makkah (Mecca) is called the safe land. 

2.

“Kalki will be born in the house of Vishnu Bhagat, from his wife Soomati, whose name means the woman of peace and security, which is the meaning of the name Aaminah.”

Kalki Purana, 2/11 

It is also well-known that the name of the mother of our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was Aaminah bint Wahb. 

3.

“He will be born on the twelfth of the month called Madhva (also known as Chaitra, spring month) [which means the month that is beloved to people, which is the month of ar-Rabee‘ (lit. “spring”)].”

Kalki Purana, 2/15 

The books of the Prophet’s biography clearly state the date of his birth, which was the twelfth of the month of Rabee‘ al-Awwal, although there are differences of opinion among the scholars. 

4.

“Kalki will have eight characteristics, as follows: 

Pragya (foretell the future)

Culinata (one of the noblest of his people)

Indridaman (self-control)

Shrut (receive revelation)

Prakram (physical strength)

Abhu bhashita (speaks little)

Dan (generous)

Kritagyata (acknowledges kindness).” 

All of them are a few of the attributes of Sayyiduna Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) which were acknowledged by all the Arabs who knew him, whether they entered Islam or remained disbelievers. 

5.

“He will ride on a horse from which light comes, and no one can compete with his awe and beauty; he will be circumcised; and will destroy hundreds of thousands of wrongdoers and disbelievers

Bhagavata Purana, 12-2-20 

Circumcision is not practised by the Hindus; rather it is an Islamic obligation upon the males of the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). 

6.

“With the help of four of his companions he will destroy the devil, and the angels will come down to earth to help him in his battles.”

Kalki Purana, 2/5-7 

The four companions of our Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) are the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who ruled after him. The scholars of Islam are unanimously agreed that they are the best of mankind after our Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). 

7.

“After he is born, he will go to the mountains to learn from Parasurama (meaning the great teacher), then he will go to the North, then he will return to his birthplace.”

Kalki Purana

This is how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was: he secluded himself in the cave of Hira’ until Jibreel came down to him with the revelation; then he migrated to the north, to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, then he returned to Makkah as a conqueror. 

8.

“The people will be enchanted with the fragrance that comes from his body, for the fragrance of his pure body will mix with the air, and will delight the people.”

Bhagavata Purana, 2/2/21 

9.

“The first one to slaughter and offer sacrifices will be Ahmadu and he will become like the sun.”

Sama Veda, 3/6/8 

10.

“A spiritual teacher will come with his noble companions and will become famous among the people by the name of Mahaamad. The ruler will come to him saying: O desert dweller, O destroyer of the devil, performer of miracles, innocent of all evil, adhering to the truth, speaking of the knowledge of God and loving Him, peace be upon you, I am your slave and will live beneath your feet.”

Bhavishya Purana, 3/3/5-8 

11.

“During these stages, when the time comes for the emergence of good for all mankind, then truth will be established and darkness will end with the appearance of Muhammad, and the light of understanding and wisdom will shine.

Bhagavata Purana, 2/76 

These texts clearly mention the name of Muhammad or Ahmad, both of which are names of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“…and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me [‘Eesa], whose name shall be Ahmad ...”

[as-Saff 61:6]. 

12.

“Agni Devi, bringer of the bright laws, We have placed you in the middle of the earth to offer sacrifices.”

Rig Veda, 3/29/4 

13.

In the Hotar Veda (Rig Veda), on several scattered pages, there is mention of the foretelling of Narashans (meaning the praiseworthy man). He is described as the most handsome person on earth; his light will enter every house; he will cleanse the people of sin and iniquity; he will ride camels; he will have twelve wives… “Listen, O people! Narashans will be held in high esteem… Narashans will be praised, he will migrate from among sixty thousand and ninety people… I have given Mamaha one hundred gold coins, ten garlands and three hundred horses.” 

In the Seerah (biography of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)), the names of his wives are given and they add up to the number mentioned. 

14.

“A man who lived a virtuous life came to the ruler Bhoja, ruler of Sindh, in the dead of night, and said to him: O king, your religion (arya dharma) supercedes all the religions in India, but by the decree of the greatest God, I shall cause to prevail the religion of a man who will eat all kinds of good things; he is circumcised and has on his head no braid that hangs down or is tucked up, and he has a long beard. He will bring about a great upheaval, and will call out loudly to the people. He will eat all kinds of good things apart from the flesh of swine. His religion abrogates all other religions. We call them Musalay. The greatest God is the One Who revealed that religion to him.” 

Bhavishya Purana, 3/3/3/23-27 

We say that the call to prayer (adhaan) and avoiding pork are among the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of Islam. Its followers are called Muslims, not Musalay, but these are similar words with the same origin. 

We also say to you that the implications of the words of the Hindu scholars allow you to believe in the teachings of Islam and the religion that was brought by the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), because Hinduism – according to their scholars – is distinguished by its lack of bias and its search for the truth, so your Hinduism will not be affected whether you believe in God or not; what matters is that you continue to seek the truth. 

The Indian leader Gandhi said: 

“One of the advantages of Hinduism is that it does not have a distinct doctrine. If I were to be asked about it, I would say that its doctrine is not to be biased and to seek the truth in good ways. As for belief in the existence of the Creator or otherwise, it is all the same. No Hindu is required to believe in the Creator; he is a Hindu whether he believes or not.” 

He also said: 

“One of the advantages of Hinduism is that it gave up all beliefs, but it encompasses all major beliefs and the main principles of other religions.” 

Taken from his book, Hindu Dharma; quoted from Dr. al-A‘zami’s book Diraasaat fi’l-Yahoodiyyah wa’l-Maseehiyyah wa Adyaan al-Hind, p. 529-530 

For more information, please see the answer to question no. 126472 

Why don’t you take that as your starting point in studying Islam, look at its positive characteristics and virtues, and try to find out that which distinguishes it from all other religions, because it is the religion that abrogates all that came before it. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was foretold by all the Messengers and Prophets who came before him. The matter is very serious, because the Holy Qur’an tells us that the only way to salvation is Islam, the religion of Tawheed (monotheism, affirmation of the Oneness of Allah). Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]. 

For more information, please see the answer to question no. 175339

And Allah knows best.