Concept of tolerance towards Hindu religion and Idol worshipping in Muslim-India: A legacy of new theo-political thought development in Indian-Islam

Idol worship that existed in Arabia at the time of advent of Islam was abolished by its followers after the conquest of Mecca, yet it continued to exist and flourish in Muslim-India under Muslim rulers. In the Quran Prophet Abraham is mentioned as an example for others who had destroyed idols. Scholarly controversy exists in Islamic literature regarding how to best deal with idols that were outside Arabian Peninsula with an extremely challenging theological debate on how and where to categorize Hindu religion that existed in Muslim-India. While the orthodox viewpoint endorses harsh measures when dealing with idols and Hindu temples, the viewpoint of many other scholars like al-Bīrūnī emphasizes a more tolerant and inclusive view towards them. Sufis like Faridud-din Chisti have tried to analyze Hindu religious thought and they also represent a more benign and pluralist viewpoint towards them. Furthermore, many other socio-political and financial aspects have also influenced Muslim-India rulers’ approach towards idols. Some scholars have proposed to distinguish between idol worshippers of Mecca from those that exist in India, whereas others have worked to establish more syncretism between the two religions rather than separation that stems from idol worshipping. Many Muslim philosophers and Sufi mystics recognize Hindu statues as multiple manifestation of a single Reality. I will discuss that Muslim-India rulers’ response has been not uniform but rather diverse and overall led to development of a more tolerant approach towards idol worshipping in Muslim-India.

Author

• Anis, Ather

Language

• English

Keyword

• religious tolerance
• India
• tolerance in Islam
• idalatory
• Muslim India
• Idols

Date created

• 2024

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Islamic Studies

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Faghfoory, Mohammad H.

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/0g354g01t