Some similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism and the Islamic perspective on these

Similarity between Hinduism & Buddhism

1. Karma

Adherence of both in Hinduism and Buddhism believes in Karma. Karma is what determines fate of an individual during the next life. It is believed that every soul will evolve through the circle of births and rebirth – Samsara – until karmas are resolved. In Buddhist philosophy, the main problem is how Karma is possible as there is no self to be reborn.

Islamic perspective: People will be punished in the Hell fire due to the evil deeds which they have committed in this life and people will be rewarded in Paradise as a consequence of the righteous deeds in this life. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).” (An-Najm 53: 31)

2. Samsara

Continuous cycle of birth and rebirth is called Samsara. The reason behind Samsara is avidya (ignorance and wrong knowledge about reality). Both the Hindus and Buddhists believe in Samsara. Only way to get ridge and liberate from Samsara as per Buddhism is Buddhist path. In Hinduism Moksha (liberation from Samsara) is possible achieved by following ascetic practices.

Islamic perspective: There are many Quranic verses and Saheeh Hadith which talks about the life after death, but the continuous cycle of birth and death is against the Islamic teaching. Soul of His slaves will be restored by Allah and they will not die after this new creation. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment.” (Ibrahim 14:17)

3. Moksha and Nirvana

Nirvana or removing desires by following eight fold path is the ultimate goal of the life as per Buddhist believes. Literal meaning of Nirvana is “blowing out” or “extinction”. Extinguishing fire that cause suffering is called Nirvana. Nirvana is what leads to Moksha. Ultimate goal of human life in Hinduism is Moksha, that is liberation from the Samsara. So the concepts Moksha and Nirvana are similar philosophical concepts in Hinduism and Buddhism which free oneself from Samsara and saves from sufferings of this life.

Islamic perspective: Moksha and/or Nirvana is irrelevant to Muslims as there is no such thing as Samsara.


Differences between Hinduism & Buddhism

1. Incarnation

Hindus believes in Avatars. They consider Buddha as the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, but Buddhists don’t believe in incarnation and they don't consider Buddha to be a God.

Islamic perspective: Islam completely rejects the idea of incarnation of God Almighty and it is considered as Shirk. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." ” (Al Maida 5:72)

2. Concept of God

Buddhism does not have a concept of God and hence it is more like a philosophy rather than a religion. They even don't have a creational story, hence they are not considered as a universal religion. On other hand Hindus believes in Gods and they worship several idols.

Islamic perspective: “Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” (Al Baqarah 2:255)

3. Revealed scriptures

Hinduism has a long history of literate tradition. They have two types of texts, namely Shruti and Smriti. Shruti are considered as divinely revealed sacred scriptures while Smriti scriptures being human origin are seen as that which is learned, remembered and written down in order to explain Shruti. However Buddhism does not have a divine scripture and the sayings of Buddah – the Sutras – were passed down orally for first four hundred years.

Islamic perspective: Vedas and Sutras are not the word of God, but we believe in the last and final message sent by Almighty Allah. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “That (this) is indeed an honourable recital (the Noble Quran). In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz). Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels). A Revelation (this Quran) from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”. (Al-Waqi'a 77-80)

4. Cast system

Hindus believe in cast system and also they believe one being in high cast or lower cast in this life is because of the deeds he/she committed in the life before. They would not want to help people of other cast (specially Shudras, the untouchables), as according to Hindu belief, one becomes a Shudra due to accumulation of bad deeds. It is mentioned in Rigveda book 10 hymn 90 verse 12 & Manu Smriti chapter 1 verse 31; “So that the world would prosper, Brahma created Brahmana from his mouth, Kshatriya from his arm, Vaishya from his thighs and Shudra from his feet”. Also it is mentioned in Manu Smriti Chapter 8 verse 413; "The Shudra has been created by Brahma to serve the Brahmin. Even if master frees the Shudra, he is not free since Shudra is slave by birth“. Manu Smriti chapter 8 verse 281 says "If a Shudra tries to sit down on the same seat as of Brahmin, he should be branded on the hip or his buttocks should be cut off”. On other hand, Buddhism does not have the concept of cast system. It is reported that the Buddha said: By birth one is not an outcaste, By birth one is not a Brahmin; By deeds alone one is an outcaste, By deeds alone one is a Brahmin.

Islamic perspective: Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious - see V. 2:2). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Al-Hujrat 49:13)


Reference

Thasneem & Bibi (2003): Comparitive Religion – Aqueeda 301 Module 12 to 21 Notes, baisnotes [Online]. Available at https://baisnotes.wordpress.com/. Accessed on 22nd December 2014, 22:05

Al-Hilali,M. & Khan,M. (1404 A.H.) Translation of the meaning of the noble Qur'an in the English language. King Fahd Complex for the printing of the holy Qur'an, Madinah, K.S.A

Buddha Dharma Education Association & BuddhaNet (2008) Life of the Buddha (Part Two) 24. The Buddha on the Caste System [Online]. Available at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_24lbud.htm. Accessed on 24th December 2014, 14:10

Qari Course Level 4 - Sample Questions

10. رخوة ގެ ލުޣަވީ މާނަ އަދި އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނަ ލިޔޭ!

ލުޣަވީ މާނަ: ލުއިކަން ނުވަތަ ފަސޭހަކަން

އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނަ: رخوة ގެ އަކުރުތައް އަދާކުރުމުގައި މަޚްރަޖުގެ މައްޗަށް ބުރަވެވޭ މިންވަރު ކުޑަވުމުން ނުވަތަ ނިކަމެތިވުމުގެ ސަބަބުން އަކުރު އަދާކުރުމުގައި އަޑު ދެމިގެން ދިއުމެވެ.

11. إستعلاء إستفال މިދެސިފަ ދީގެން އަކުރު އަދާކުރުމުގައިވާ ތަފާތަކީ ކޮބާ؟

إستعلاء ގެ ސިފަދީގެން އަކުރު އަދާކުރާއިރު أقصى اللّسان މަތީތައްޔާއި ދިމާއަށް އުފުލޭނެއެވެ. އަދި މިއަކުރުތަކުގެ އަޑު ހުންނާނީ މަތީ ތައްޔާއިދިމާއަށް މައްޗަށެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން އަކުރުގެ އަޑުން އަނގައިގެތެރެ ހުންނާނީ ފުރައިލެވިފައެވެ. އަދި އަކުރުގެ އަޑު ބަރުވާނެއެވެ. ނަމަވެސް إستفال ގެ ސިފަދީގެން އަކުރު އަދާކުރާއިރު أقصى اللّسان އޮންނާނީ މަތީތައްޔާއި ދުރުވެފައެވެ. އަދި އަކުރުގެ އަޑު އަނގަތެރެއިން ހުސްކޮށްލެވޭނެއެވެ. މިހެންކަމުން މިއަކުރުތަކުގެ އަޑު ހުންނާނީ ލުއިކޮށެވެ.

12. ނޭވާއާއި އަޑުގެ ތަފާތަކީ ކޮބާ؟

ނޭވައަކީ ފުއްޕާމެއިން އުފެދިގެން އަންނަ ވައެވެ. ނަމަވެސް އަޑަކީ ވައިގެ ބައިތައް އިންސާނާގެ ކަންފަތަށް ނަގައިގަނެވޭ ގޮތަށް ތެޅޭގެޅުމަށް ކިޔާނަމެކެވެ.

13. رخوة ގެ އަކުރުތަކަށް މިނަން ދެވުނު ސަބަބަކީ ކޮބައިކަން ބުނެދީ!

رخوة ގެ އަކުރުތަކަށް މިނަންދެވުނީ މިއަކުރުތައް އަދާކުރުމުގައި ފަސޭހަކަމުންނެވެ. އަދި މަޚްރަޖުގެ މައްޗަށް ބުރަވެވޭ މިންވަރު ކުޑަކަމުގެ ސަބަބުން އަޑު ނިކުތުމުގައި އެއްވެސް ވަރަކަށް ބަންދުވުމެއް ނުވާތީއެވެ.

14. إطباق ކުރުމާއި إستعلاء ކުރުމުގައިވާ ތަފާތުތަށް ލިޔޭ!

إستعلاء ކުރުމަކީ أقصى اللّسان މަތީތައްޔާއި ދިމާއަށް އުފުލުމެވެ. މަތީތަލީގައި ދުލުގެ ފަހަތް ޖެހުން ނުވަތަ ދުލުގެ ފަހަތާއި މަތީތައްޔާއި ވަރަށްބޮޑަށް ގާތްވުން ލާޒިމެއް ނުކުރެއެވެ. ނަމަވެސް إطباق ކުރުމުގައި أقصى اللّسان އުފުލި މަތީތަލީގައި ޖެހުން ނުވަތަ މަތީތައްޔާއި ވަރަށްބޮޑަށް ގާތްވުން ލާޒިމެވެ.

15. ق غ خ ص ض ظ ط މިއަކުރުތަކަށް إستعلاء ގެ އަކުރުތަކުގެ ނަމުން ނަންދެވުނު ސަބަބަކީ ކޮބާ!

މިއަކުރުތައް އަދާކުރާއިރު أقصى اللّسان މަތީތައްޔާއި ދިމާއަށް އުފުލޭތީއެވެ.

16. إنفتاح އާއި إطباق ގެ ލުޣަވީ މާނަ އަދި އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނަ ލިޔޭ!

إنفتاح ގެ ލުޣަވީމާނައަކީ ވަކިވުން ނުވަތަ ދުރުވުމެވެ. އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނައަކީ އަކުރު އަދާކުރުމުގައި ދުލާއި މަތީ ތައްޔާ ދުރުވުމާއިއެކު އަކުރުގެ އަޑު ދުލާއި މަތީތައްޔާއިދެމެދު ހިފެހެއްޓިފައި ނުވުމެވެ.

إطباق ގެ ލުޣަވީމާނައަކީ ތަތްވުން، ނުވަތަ ކައިރިވުން، ގާތްވުން، އެކުވުން ފަދަ މާނަތަކެވެ. އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނައަކީ، އަކުރު އަދާކުރުމުގައި ދުލުގެ ބައެއް ނުވަތަ ބޮޑުބައެއް މަތީތަލީގައި ޖެހުން ނުވަތަ ވަރަށްބޮޑަށް މަތީތައްޔާ ގާތްވުމާއިއެކު ދުލާއި ތައްޔާދެވެމު އަޑު ހިފަހެއްޓިފައި ހުރުމެވެ.

17. إستفال ކުރުމާއި إتفتاح ކުރުމުގެ ތަފާތުލިޔޭ!

إستفال ކުރުމަކީ އަކުރު އަދާކުރުމުގައި ދުލުގެފަހަތް ނުވަތަ أقصى اللّسان މަތީ ތައްޔާ ދުރުވެ އަނގައިގެ ތެރޭގައިވާ ހުސްތަނަށް ތިރިކުރުމެވެ. ނަމަވެސް إتفتاح ކުރުމުގައި، ދޫ މަތީތައްޔާއި ދުރުވެފައި އޮތުމުން ފުދެއެވެ. أقصى اللّسان މަތީތައްޔާއި ދިމާއަށް އުފުލިފައި އޮތަސްވެސް إتفتاح ކުރެވޭނެއެވެ.

18. إذلاق ގެ ލުޣަވީމާނަ އަދި އިސްޠިލާޙީމާނަ އަދި ނަންދެވުނު ސަބަބު ލިޔޭ!

ލުޣަވީ މާނައަކީ ފަސޭހަކަމެވެ. އިސްޠިލާހީ މާނައަކީ، ދެތުންފަތުންނާއި ދުލުގެ ކައިރިފަށުން އަކުރުތައް ފަސޭހަކަމާއިއެކު ކިއުމެވެ. إذلاق ގެ އަކުރުތަކަށް މިނަން ދެވުނީ، މިއަކުރުތައް އަދާކުރުމުގައި ފަސޭހަކަމާއި އެކު އަވަސްކޮށް ދުލުގެ ކައިރިން ނުވަތަ ދެ ތުންފަތުގެ ކައިރިފަށުން އަކުރު ނިކުންނާތީއެވެ.

19. إصمات ގެ ލުޣަވީމާނަ އަދި އިސްޠިލާޙީމާނަ އަދި ނަންދެވުނު ސަބަބު ލިޔޭ!

ލުޣަވީ މާނައަކީ ކަމަކުން މަނާވެގަތުމެވެ. އިސްޠިލާޙީ މާނައަކީ، އަކުރުތައް އެއަކުރުތަކުގެ މަޚްރަޖުން އުނދަގޫކަމާއިއެކު ކިއުމެވެ. إصمات ގެ އަކުރުތަކަށް މިނަން ދެވުނީ رباعي ނުވަތަ خماسي ކަލިމައެއްގެ އަސްލުގައި ހަމައެކަނި إصمات ގެ އަކުރުތައް ހިމެނިގެންވާގޮތަށް ޢަރަބިބަހުގެ އެއްވެސް ކަލިމައެއް ނުވާތީއެވެ.

20. ز س ص އަށް ހަމައެކަނި ޙާއްޞަވާ ލާޒިމް ޞިފަތަކަކީ ކޮބައިކަން ބުނެދިނުމަށްފަހު އެނަންދެވުނު ސަބަބު ބުނެދީ!

ز س ص އަށް ހަމައެކަނި ޙާއްޞަވާ ލާޒިމް ޞިފައަކީ صفير އެވެ. އަދި صفير އަށް މިނަން ދެވުނީ، މި އަކުރުތައް އަދާކުރުމުގައި ދޫނި ސޫފާ ސޫފީގެ ގޮވުމުގައި އަޑާއި ވައްތަރު އަޑެއް އެކުލެވިފައިވާތީއެވެ.

أسلُوبُ التَّعجبِ

أسلوبُ التعجُّبِ : هو أسلوبٌ يدلُّ على الدَّهشةِ والاسْتغرابِ Amazement and Wonder

ولأُسْلوبِ التَّعجبِ صيغَتانِ Shapes /Kinds

الصيغةُ الأولى : ما أفْعلَهُ

والصيغةُ الثانيةُ أفْعِلْ بهِ

الصيغةُ الأولى : ما أفْعلَهُ ، وهذه هيَ الصِّيغةُ الشَّهيرةُ ، فإذا رأيتَ السَّماءَ ووجدْتها جميلةً جدًّا وأردتَ أنْ تتعجَّبَ من جمالِها ، فتقول : ما أجملَ السماءَ How beautiful the sky is ، وتقولُ إذا وجدتَ رجُلا كذَّابًا أيضًا : ما أقْبحَ الكَذِبَ How ugly the lying is!

ما أجملَ السَّماء

ما : هِي اِسْمٌ مَبْنِيٌّ فِي مَحَلِّ رَفْعٍ مبتدأ ، وهي بِمُعَنّى : شَيْءٌ عَظِيمٌ

أَجملَ : فَعَلٌ ماض مَبْنِيٌّ عَلَى الْفُتَحِ ، وَالْفَاعِلُ ضَمِيرٌ مُسْتَتِرٌ وَجَوَّبَا تَقْديرهُ ( هُوَ ) يَعُودُ عَلَى (مَا التَّعَجُّبِيَّة)

السَّماءَ (المُتَعَجَّبُ مِنْه) : وَيُعْرِبُ مَفْعُولَا بِهِ ، وَالْجُمْلَةَ الْفُعُلِيَّةَ (أجملَ السَّماءَ ) فِي مَحَلِّ رَفْعٍ خَبَر المبتدأ ( مَا ) التَّعَجُّبِيَّةُ

والصيغةُ الثانيةُ للتَّعجُّبِ هي صيغةُ أفْعلِ به ، فإذا أردتَ أنْ تتعجَّبَ من السَّماءِ بهذه الصيغةِ فتقولُ ، أجْملْ بالسَّماءِ ، وإذا أردتَ أن تتعجَّبَ من قُبحِ الكَذبِ فتقولُ : أَقْبِحْ بالكَذبِ ، وهذه الصِّيغةُ لها نفسُ معْنى الصيغةِ الأولى صيغة (ما أفْعلَهُ)

أَجْمِلْ بالسَّماءِ!

أجْملْ : فعلُ ماضٍ جاءَ على صورةِ الأمرِ ، وهو مبنيٌّ على الفتحِ المُقدَّرِ

الباءُ : حرفُ جرٍّ زائدٌ

السماءِ(المتعجَّبُ منه) : فاعلٌ مرفوعٌ بضمةٍ مُقدَّرةٍ منعَ من ظهورِها حركةُ حرفِ الجرِّ الزائدِ

Ten major Signs of the Day of Judgment

Muslim narrated on the authority of Hudhayfah ibn Usayd al-Ghifaari: "The Prophet (S.A.W.) looked at us whilst we were discussing something. I He said, 'What are you talking about?' They said, 'We are talking about the Hour.' He said, 'It will not come until you see ten signs ahead of it.'

He mentioned the smoke, the Dajjaal (Pseudo-Christ), the Beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of 'Eesa (Jesus) ibn Maryam, Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj, and three landslides, one in the east, one in the west and one in the Arabian Peninsula, and the last sign is a fire which will emerge from Yemen and drive the people to their place of gathering." (al-Ashqar, 2005, p249)

1. The Smoke: “Then wait you for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke. Covering the people, this is a painful torment.” (Qur'an 44:10)
2. The tribulation of Dhajjal: Tribulation of Dhajjal would be the greatest of all the tribulation since the creation of mankind until the Hour. He is well-built, a short man, with a reddish complexion and curly hair, and one-eyed, as if his eye is a floating grape, with his toes turned in, abraded, neither prominent nor sunken, resembling 'Abd al-'Uzza ibn Qatan most, kaafir will be written between his eyes, and he will claim divinity, but he is sterile. He will travel like a cloud. His warer will be fire and his fire will be water. Shaitan will help him and objects and animals will respond to him. Before the emergence of Dhajjal there would be three years of famine and Muslims would fight a fierce battle against Romans in which Muslims would be victorious. Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "There will not be any matter more serious than the Dajjaal." (al-Ashqar, 2005, p258)
3. Descendence of prophet Esa: Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) say, “A group of my ummah will continue fighting for the truth and prevailing until the Day of Resurrection.” He said, “Then 'Eesa (Jesus) ibn Maryam will come down, and their leader will say, 'Come and lead us in prayer.' He will say, 'No, one of you is the leader of others, as an honour from Allah to this ummah.” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p298)
4. Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj: “And on that Day [i.e. the Day Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) will come out], We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another, and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together.” (Qur'an 18:99)
5. Removal of the Qur'an and the Death of Good People: The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: “Islam will wear out like the adornment of a garment wears out, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, sacrifice or charity are. The Book of Allah will be taken away in one night, and not one aayah will be left on earth. There will remain groups of people, old men and old women, who will say, “We heard our forefathers saying this word, Laa ilaaha illallah, so we say it too.”” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p316)
6. Return of mankind to ignorance and idol-Worship: “....Shaytaan will appear to them and say, "Will you not respond?" They will say, "What do you command us to do?" He will tell them to worship idols, but despite that they will have abundant provision and comfortable life. Then the Trumpet will be blown ...”” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p319)
7. Destruction of the Ka'ba: “The Ka'bah will be destroyed by Dhul-Suwayqatayn from Abyssinia. He will rob it of its adornments and take away its covering...” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p321)
8. Rising of the sun from the west: "The Hour will not come until the sun rises from the west. When it rises and the people see it they will all believe, but that will be the time when faith will not benefit a person if he did not believe before, or did not derive any good from his faith.” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p322)
9. The Beast: “And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them, which will speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayat (Verses of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad SAW).” (Qur'an 27:82)
10. The Fire which will Gather the People: “The first sign of the Hour will be a fire which will gather them from the east to the west.” (al-Ashqar, 2005, p324)

References

Al-Ashqar, U. (2005) Islamic creed series 5: The final day the minor resurrection (what happens after death) in the light of the qur'an and sunnah. International islamic publishing house

Al-Hilali,M. & Khan,M. (1404 A.H.) Translation of the meaning of the noble Qur'an in the English language. King Fahd Complex for the printing of the holy Qur'an, Madinah, K.S.A

Complete guide to study and master Arabic at your home

Introduction

The method mentioned here is based on my personal experience in learning Arabic by using free sources available in the internet.

Level 1: Pre Madinah Books

Recommended prior knowledge

Since this is a logical place to begin the course, no prior knowledge is essential except that you know how to read Arabic texts.

Outline

In this level you will study the book one and two of “Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk”, and you will read entire program of The Imaam Muhammad ibn Saud University.

Learning objectives

Main objective of this self-study course is to teach you the Madinah Arabic series and then master the Arabic grammar. As you are going to study it by yourself, you need to be equipped with sufficient vocabularies to reach at your goal. In fact in reality the Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk and program of The Imaam Muhammad ibn Saud University has nothing to do with Madinah Arabic series, but you will be studying them to understand Arabic as much as possible before starting your real journey.

So objective of this level is – as mentioned above – to enrich your Arabic vocabulary.

How to study

Study Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk two books from the videos by by Ustadh Abdul-Karim, and in the mean time read the entire program of The Imaam Muhammad ibn Saud University.

Learning resources

Videos

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 1

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 2

Audios

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 1

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 2

PDF

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 1

Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk Book 2

Imam Ibn Saud Arabic Books

Level 2: Madinah Books

Learning objectives

In this level you have to attempt all the books taught at Islamic University of Madinah in the first four semesters.

How to study

You will study the grammar books with the help of video lectures by Br Asif Meherali and the other books by yourself. You will find the answers for all the books in MEDIU's website. You have to complete all the books of a semester before starting the next semester.

Learning resources

Resources to learn grammar books of Madinah

LQToronto.com

MEDIU's website

How to use MEDIU's website

All the books in .html format

PDF books

Level 3: Post Madinah Books

Complete Study Program for Non-Natives to Master Arabic

Sheikh's website