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Qasim Rashid

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The Honorable Lord Krishna: A Prophet Of Allah

Posted: 08/09/2012 11:35 am

Hindus worldwide will soon observe Krishna Janmashtami, a celebration of Lord Krishna's birth. While many recognize the differences between Islam and Hinduism, few may appreciate that according to Islamic principles and Prophet Muhammad, Lord Krishna was a true Prophet of God.

The obvious question that emerges is that if the same God sent Lord Krishna and Prophet Muhammad, why do Islam and Hinduism have notable theological differences? Simply put, Islam only argues that the original core teachings of Hinduism and Islam are the same -- the unity of God and the obligation to serve mankind. Furthermore, nothing in the Quran, Sunnah or Hadith declares that Lord Krishna was not a prophet. Thus, this short article offers nine points to consider -- together -- that Lord Krishna is a true prophet of God, a prophet whom Muslims also revere along with their fellow Hindu neighbors.

1. First, the Quran is the only ancient scripture that specifically mentions and praises other faiths. While the Quran mentions Jews and Christians specifically, in numerous places, likewise, it mentions Hindus in a group known as the Sabians. Sabians refer to non-Abrahamic traditions -- Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Taoists, etc. Thus, recognition of Hinduism exists in the Quran.

2. Islam teaches six Articles of Faith. The Fourth Article of Faith is the belief in all of God's prophets. This simple Article of Faith provides further credence to recognizing Lord Krishna as a prophet sent to the Indian subcontinent.

3. The Quran is clear that God's Divine guidance is not exclusive to any one people. Rather the Quran says that God sent "messengers to every people" (10:48) and "We raised among every people a messenger" (16:37). Prophet Muhammad further declared that God has sent no less than 124,000 prophets to mankind throughout history (Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 5, 169) of which only 28 are mentioned in the Quran. None of those 28 prophets are mentioned as being sent to the Indian subcontinent. Thus, it is perfectly reasonable that Lord Krishna is one of the many prophets God sent with His Divine message.

4. Segueing from the previous point, the Quran clearly declares, "And We sent some Messengers whom We have already mentioned to thee and some Messengers whom We have not mentioned to thee..." (4:165). Thus, to declare that Lord Krishna is not a prophet simply because the Quran does not mention him is a meritless argument.

5. Remarkably, Prophet Muhammad declared, "There was a prophet of God in India who is dark in color and his name was Kahan [Krishna]" (History of Hamadan Dailmi Chapter Al-Kaaf). Some critics allege this is not a Sahih (authentic) hadith, and while their assessment could be valid, their conclusion that the hadith should be discarded is invalid. Basic Islamic jurisprudence holds that if a hadith does not contradict the Quran, then it may be accepted as valid. As mentioned earlier, nothing in the Quran, Sunnah or Hadith declare that Lord Krishna was not a prophet of God. Thus, Prophet Muhammad's testimony provides clear guidance of Lord Krishna's status in Islam -- that of a prophet. In fact, a renowned early 19th century Muslim scholar, Muhammad Qasim Nanotwi also was of the opinion that considering the evidence and this hadith, Lord Krishna was a true Prophet of God (Dharam Parchar Pg 8 & Debate Shah Jahan Pur Pg 31).

6. Islam's Third Article of Faith is the Belief in God's Books. This is why Muslims revere the Injeel (Gospels) and Torah (Old Testament). Thus, it is only logical that Muslims also revere the Gita and Vedas, Hinduism's holy scriptures from which Lord Krishna taught.

7. Earlier I mentioned that both Islam and Hinduism teach the unity of God and service of mankind -- a message both Prophet Muhammad and Lord Krishna taught. In fact, the Vedas state, "There is only one God, worship Him" (Rig Veda, 6.45.16) and "Do not worship any one beside Him" (Rig Veda 8.1.1) and also, "God is only one, not a second" (Chandogya Upanishad Ch. 6.2.1). Furthermore, countless verses in the Vedas teach the service of mankind. For example, "Oh Noble men! We do not commit violence. We do not hurt others. We do not quarrel either. We of course chant Vedas and act according to its dictates" (Rig Veda 10.134.7) and "Every man should protect the other in all respects" (Atharva 6.64.1). Again, while admitted theological differences exist between Islam and Hinduism today, no doubt exists that Prophet Muhammad and Lord Krishna both taught God's unity and service to mankind.

8. Furthermore, Lord Krishna's scriptures clearly prophesize Prophet Muhammad's advent in multiple places. We provide just two. Bhavisyath Purana 3:5-8 states, "A spiritual reformer will come from a foreign land (outside Bharat) with his disciples. His name will be Mahamad. He will dwell in a desert." Likewise, "His [Mahamad's] followers will perform circumcision. They will not keep their hair in the form of Choti as the Brahmans do. They will keep beard. They will bring about a revolution. They will call with a loud voice [i.e. Adhaan]. They will eat meat of animals other than that of swine. They will attain purity through Jihad. Their civilization will be called Muslay [Muslim]." For the sake of brevity we will avoid further commentary on these verses as they speak volumes on their own. Suffice it to say, however, that these verses further support the argument that the same God who sent Prophet Muhammad, sent Lord Krishna. Earlier we provided Prophet Muhammad's hadith validating Lord Krishna, and now we provide Lord Krishna's holy scripture validating Prophet Muhammad. What further proof do we need that Prophet Muhammad and Lord Krishna are brothers cut from the same mold?

9. Finally, in the Quran, God gives Prophet Muhammad the auspicious title of Khataman Nabiyeen or Seal of the Prophets (33:41). While some limit this title's meaning to "last," from Hadith and authentic Arabic lexicon it is clear that the true import of "Seal" is Greatness and Validation. That is, Prophet Muhammad is called not only the greatest prophet, but also the Validation of all prophets. Thus, it makes perfect sense why Prophet Muhammad specifically called Lord Krishna a Prophet -- part of his purpose in coming was to declare to the world that God did not abandon any people. Rather, God sent His guidance and prophets to all people. In doing so, Prophet Muhammad validated Lord Krishna's truthfulness -- something no prophet of any faith outside of Islam has done. Thus, as human beings we must honor and revere all those prophets because the same God sent each of them -- Lord Krishna being no exception.

In short, Prophet Lord Krishna was a noble, righteous, beloved one of God. Far from theological division, he is a source of unity and accord between Hindus and Muslims.

 

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Hindus worldwide will soon observe Krishna Janmashtami, a celebration of Lord Krishna's birth. While many recognize the differences between Islam and Hinduism, few may appreciate that according to Isl...
Hindus worldwide will soon observe Krishna Janmashtami, a celebration of Lord Krishna's birth. While many recognize the differences between Islam and Hinduism, few may appreciate that according to Isl...
 
 
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11:57 AM on 10/06/2012
Dear Qasim,
Actually , you know nothing about Lord Krishna , please don't compare with prophet Muhammad , your prophet Muhammad is a human being but Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality Of Godhead or God Himself . The miracles that Lord Krishna had performed no human being on earth can perform. Even as a baby Lord Krsna can kill many demons and in the Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 text 7-9 Lord Krishna said ' Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice , O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descent Myself.To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium. " And in chapter 7 text 26 Lord Krishna said " O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything which has happen in the past , all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come . I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows." Lord Krishna's time was 5000 years ago where we don't have other religions around, if you want know about Lord Krishna please get a copy of Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C . Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada , please visit The Bhaktivedantas you can buy a copy from there. Thanks , Hare Krsna !
03:42 PM on 09/27/2012
It is a better attempt to show superiority of Islam. Krishna are Ram arrived way before Islam came to earth. Krishna is an avtar. A Sagun roop of the Nirguna. All Vedic ideologies and religions of Land of India (Hindu, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism) follow spirituality ie a supreme spirit beyond the Gurus and Gods. There is no single prophet kind of post in any of these religions. This inculcates the basic aspect of accepting others views.

Hindus never forced the Bahais, Parsis, Iranians and jews to convert to Hinduism. These people had come to india for refuge and are living happily. My way or High way is not the rule of India.
09:04 AM on 09/26/2012
there is nothing new in the koran ... the violent verses in it are patterned after similar passages seething with rage and hatred in the old testament ... the difference is the call for mindless violence against non-muslims is direct and graphic in islam not just against local enemies and local resisters who wanted nothing to do with it but against the rest of the world ...

the religious non-violent verses in the koran are borrowed from the books of older religions like judaism, christianity and others ...
Mouton85111
12:23 PM on 09/25/2012
mo was epileptic ... his "revelations" came to him during seizures ...
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pshakkottai
retired engineer
02:08 PM on 09/20/2012
Hinduism has no prophets.Krishna was not a prophet. He was an avatar of Vishnu.
07:46 AM on 09/21/2012
Author is claiming Krishna was prophet of Islam and hence he was a Muslim.
02:53 PM on 09/25/2012
That is correct but the author knows this very well. He is not in good faith.
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pshakkottai
retired engineer
08:17 PM on 09/25/2012
Thanks.
10:28 AM on 09/20/2012
@kodimirpal Mr. Nehru has written based on lies just like he wrote on Aryan invasion theory in his book "Discovery of India". It is now well established that AIT is a myth. so give it up. Buddhist were wiped out by Muslims. This was possible by Muslims because Buddhism thrived on monasteries and they were destroyed during their conquest. Hindus did not conquer India at any point of time. Muslims are continuing this trend even today. Now a days even sufi shrines are not spared. Historical narrative against "Brahmins" just depicts those who have written were biased. BTW Pt. Nehru himself was a Brahmin with a communist ideology. Please name one Hindu-Buddhist war.
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pshakkottai
retired engineer
12:00 PM on 09/20/2012
Shastri at the Indo-Soviet Cultural Society: "If I were asked what two languages of the world resembled each other most, I would reply without hesitation: 'Russian and Sanskrit.'" "When I went to Moscow, the Manager of my hotel game me the key for Room No. 234 and said 'Dwesti tridtsat chetire'. For a moment I could not decide whether I was standing before a pretty girl in Moscow or I was in Banaras or Ujjain of our classical period of some 2,000 years ago. In Sanskrit 234 is 'Dwishat tridasha chatwar.'"
from
http://www.songoftheuniverse.info/html/articles/linguistics/linguistics1.htm

Also "The migrations of the Indo-Aryans can be traced in archaeology across Kazakhstan and Afghanistan into the Indus River Valley. "

It is not well established that AIT is a myth!
12:49 PM on 09/20/2012
There are no such people or species as Indo-Aryans, Indo-Europeans and Indo-Iranians.

You say that you are a retired engineer. Please retire from making history and linguistics
comments and observations.
01:29 PM on 09/20/2012
With my basic knowledge of Sanskrit the word "Arya" means A learned well mannered man. It has never been a race. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indians-are-not-descendants-of-aryans-study/1/163645.html based on genetic studies, AIT has been proven beyond doubt to be myth. you are free to search peer reviewed journal articles.

As far as numbers are concerned, this webpage http://www.sanskrit-sanscrito.com.ar/en/sanskrit_sanskrit4/numbers1.shtml#Card100bey gives an Idea. Based on this if I have to say 234 I would say "Dwisat ChatusTrimsat" (bare with roman script spelling differences) this format of pronouncing numbers is more closer to German way of pronouncing numbers. The linguistic similarities does not constitute any evidence to show Aryans, as a race, indeed exist at any point of time in my opinion. Each one has their right to interpret the information they have. However, these are mere interpretations and not facts.

Indian civilization is a continuing civilization and not like greek or others that have extinct. Linguistic and cultural exchanges do take place with other communities. "Race" theory is a colonial construct to justify colonialism. It is time to find a grave for all "Race" theories.
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08:59 AM on 09/19/2012
Wow, I see alot of Xian intolerance here; the same kind of intolerance that they are ascribing to Muslims. Now that's a bit ironic isn't it.

Let's take time to remember just a few forms of bloody Xian intolerance:

The Crusades
The Spanish Inquisition
The Genocide of the Native American
So called "Witch Burnings"
Convert or be tortured or put to death terror tactics
The hi-jacking of "Pagan" religious holidays and holy places

...well, I could go on, but this post will only allow so many characters.

Those who live in glass houses...etc., etc. Think about it before you go on hating everyone else in the world.
01:27 AM on 09/14/2012
Mo was not a religious man at all. Why is he called a prophet?
04:35 PM on 09/14/2012
He should be called something else. A contest should be held to find an appropriate name for him.
06:34 PM on 09/09/2012
Can Author explain these verses :-

"When ye encounter the infidels, strike off their heads, till ye have made a great slaughter among them, and of the rest make fast the fetters." (47: 4.)
"And how many cities were mightier in strength than the city, which hath thrust thee forth! We destroyed them, and there was none to help them." (47: 14.)
"A picture of the paradise which is promised to the Godfearing! There in are rivers of water, which corrupt not, rivers of milk whose taste changeth not: and rivers of wine, delicious to those who quaff it." (47: 16.)
"And rivers of honey clarified: and therein are all kinds of fruit for them from their Lord." (47: 17.)
01:20 AM on 09/10/2012
the prophet was an illiterate man... and allah is a nonentity... this stuff was written by Middle Eastern scribes ... those murderous rants in the Koran were meant to whip up arab soldiers into a frenzy for attack missions and invasions...everything about islam is disgusting
06:31 PM on 09/09/2012
" I swear by the instructive Qoran, that thou art one of the messengers of God, sent to show the right way. This is revelation of the most Mighty, the Merciful God." (34: 1 - 4.)

C. ~ If the Qoran were the work of God, how could He swear by it? If the prophet had been a messenger of God, he would not have fallen in love with his daughter-in-law. It is foolish to assert that the believers in the Qoran are on the straight path, for he alone is said to tread that path who believes in truth, utters truth, acts in conformity with truth and shapes his conduct in accordance with the dictates of Dharma (duty) which consists of justice and freedom from prejudice and forsakes all that is opposed to them. Neither the Qoran nor the Mohammedans nor their God satisfies these conditions. If Mohammad had been the greatest prophet, he would have been the most learned and the most virtuous among men. The praise of Mohammedanism by Mohammad is like the praise by a coaster-monger of his own plums.
06:30 PM on 09/09/2012
"And remember her who preserved her virginity, and into whom we breathed our spirit." (21: 88.)

C. ~ It is impossible that such obscene statements should have been recorded in Divine revelation or even in a book written by a decent man. When even human beings do not relish such writings, how can God do so? It is such statements as bring the Qoran into disrepute. If its teachings had been good, it would have commanded admiration like the Vedas.
06:28 PM on 09/09/2012
"God is with the faithful. O ye faithful! Obey God and His apostle, O true believes, deceive not God and His apostle, neither violate your faith against your own knowledge. God laid a plot against them, and God is the best layer of plots." (8: 19, 23, 26, 29.)

C. ~ Does God favor the Mohammedans? If so, He is unjust because He is the Lord of all (and not of the Mohammedans only). Is your God deaf that He cannot hear you unless He is spoken n (aloud)? Is it not wrong to couple the name of the Prophet with His name? Where is God's treasure that He should be so afraid of its being stolen? Is it right to steal (the wealth of) others barring that of God and His Prophet?
05:21 AM on 09/06/2012
In Hindu mythology, allah and his prophet would be depicted as rakshasas.
06:53 AM on 09/06/2012
Devils or evil spirits that inhabit the Lower Realms.
05:47 PM on 09/06/2012
Hinduism, or the great faith tradition as prescribed in the Vedas, is not mythology, dear Senti.

If Hinduism as a religion can be synonymous with "mythology" I suppose you'd have to be an equal opportunity classifier and call the other faith traditions as mythology-based systems too. lol.
03:23 AM on 09/06/2012
Islam is junior to Christianity by 500 years. It comes about 1200 years after Buddhism. In the Middle East there is also Judaism which came before Christianity. The religious content in the Koran is purloined from older sources. It did not come from revelations. There is nothing new in it.

The Koran is a recruiting manual put together for creating an army of illiterate arabs with a whole lot of religious mumbo jumbo thrown in to create the impression that Islam is some sort of religion. .
02:15 PM on 09/05/2012
Islam recognizes that there are prophets and messengers that were not specifically named in the Qur'an. The idea that Krishna was a messenger or a prophet is only supported by the Ahmadiyya community to which Qasim Rashid belongs. It is not a mainstream Islamic view.

Secondly it is ironic and disgusting that an article that contains Allah would also have a picture of a Krishna idol next to it. Idolatry is unforgiveable in Islam, period. No amount of new age gobbledygook will change that.
04:58 PM on 09/05/2012
Seriously,, are you that ignorant to think that the word "Allah" is the only name for the Divine? It's simply a WORD.

The Arabic language and Islam don't hold a monopoly over explanations of Divinity. Nor is Islam devoid of idolizing and conducting rituals. So - don't be a hypocrite.

All religious traditions have a degree of ritualization, etc. but it comes in different forms - but most people are ignorant and hypocritical - denigrating someone's else way of worshipping but blind to their own actions.


Please - Hindus don't need "newest to the religious tradtions," Islamic theology - whether it comes from a Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, gobbledygooka, yada, yada yada - to define / absorb the oldest faith tradition on the planet (and yes, the Divine is okay with that because Hindus have been around and God Hasn't Struck us down).

This is the "superiority complex " that I educated you about in another post - you just proved my point.
05:25 PM on 09/05/2012
How is it "ironic and disgusting?" You actually think "Allah" is the only name to be used? Why? Because it comes from your revered Arabic? Arabic. Simply a language.

Humans beings have received messages from the Divine - this all happened waaay before your prophet arrived on the scene. Hindus call God, Krishna. God is known by many other names in Hinduism but of course, you may not want to understand this simple point.

You wanna talk "idolatory?" Islam certainly has its version of it.

You just proved my earlier point about your religious superiority complex which is shared by your co-religionists who can't seem to comprehend that Arabic and Islam are not the end-all, be-all to understanding the Divine.
12:34 PM on 09/06/2012
Just a thought... I didn't see kunfayakun say that "'Allah' is the only name to be used" nor that "the word 'Allah' is the only word for 'Divine'" as you insist. He/she said merely:

"it is ironic and disgusting that an article that contains Allah would also have a picture of a Krishna idol next to it."

The point is referring more towards setting an idol beside the concept of Allah or the Divine One, or whatever you'd like to call the Creator. Islam explicitly FORBIDS idolatory and those who do associate partners with the One and Only Divine are warned of a grievous chastisement in the Qur'an. It is one of the worst sins to be committed.

Also, I'm curious about this "version of idolatory in Islam" that you allude to in your post. I can at least say with certainty that mainstream Islam, who rely primarily on the Qur'an for guidance, does NOT encourage idolatory, as I have shown above.

Please do be careful before you accuse others of your own superiority complex :)
01:49 PM on 09/06/2012
Agreed, Arabic is only a language. It is the language of the Qur'an, which I believe to be the final revelation from our Creator.

Idolatry in Islam? Interesting, I'd love to hear about your expert analysis.

Humans received messages before the prophet Mohammad (pbuh)? Yes, we agree. Muslims acknowledge all messengers before our final prophet.

The idea that Krishna was God is absurd to a muslim. Krishna was born and he died. He was a human being who had children, married and bled. We don't believe that a human being created this entire universe. Muslims don't worship humans, we find the idea of worshipping other human beings disgusting. We don't even worship our own prophets, peace be upon all of them. We believe that the universe was created by a creator who is unlike anything that you can see or observe in creation. Only the Creator is worthy of worship.