18th century Quote by Asghar Ali Engineer
“The Sufi saint Mazhar Jaan Jana of 18th century Delhi believed that the Quran condemns bowing before deities because in pre-Islamic idol worship stones were considered god. But Hindus pray to god through that idol, which is a reflection of god. In Vedas god is nirguna and nirankara, that is, he has no attributes and no shape, that is the real belief of Hindus. As Muslims visit graves, so Hindus worship idols.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Comparative Religion Symposium, 1995, on idol worship and concept of God
Hinduism sees God as forless and formless, while Islam rejects idol worship; both traditions use physical forms to represent the divine, reflecting differing theological interpretations.
In simple terms: Hindus view God as formless; Muslims reject idols.
Key Takeaway
Understand diverse ways people experience the divine.
Themes
religion
theology
idol worship
divine nature
interfaith
Mood
contemplative
respectful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- interfaith dialogue
- education
- personal belief exploration
- ritual practice
Key Concepts
comparative religion
philosophy
cultural studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How do symbols shape your spiritual practice?
- Can differing views of God coexist peacefully?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying complex beliefs can overlook nuances.
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