- Written by Ahmad Ali
In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. We testify that there is no god but Allah and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the servant and last messenger of Almighty Allah.
The scholars of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has tried their level best to prove that Islam is "Vaishnavism"[1] and so Muslims are actually Vaishnavas.
If it is so, then they are trying to mean that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has actually preached the message of Krishna (as Krishna is the Supreme Lord as per Vaishnavism).
The statement from a website of ISKCON clearly indicates, Islam is Vaishnavisim according to the belief of Vaishnava scholars and devotees:
"Srila Prabhupada: Islam is also Vaishnavism.
Dr. Patel: Mohammedanism is not Vaishnavism.
Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu talked with the Pathanas (Muslims). He proved that "Your religion is Vaishnavism." (Morning walk. Bombay, 17/02/74)
Srila Prabhupada: Then Islam is Vaishnava dharma (religion) in a crude form like Christianity.
(Room conversation. Tehran, 14/03/75)
In these two Statements, Srila Prabhupada explains that the Islamic religion is also teaching how to become a servant of only one God and surrender to Him with love and devotion. One can cultivate the same knowledge in the Vaishnava religion but with more detailed information. In Vaishnavism, one can learn how to develop his eternal loving relationships with the Supreme Lord. Although Dr. Patel could not accept that Islam is also Vaishnavism, Srila Prabhupada explained that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in his conversation with the Pathana Muslims, proved by quoting from the Holy Qur'an that Islam is also Vaishnavism. At the end of his conversation all the Pathana Muslims, including the great Muslim Scholar and prince Vijuli Khan, accepted the fact that Vaishavism is a true religion teaching complete surrender to the will and desire of God, which is the meaning of Islam...."[2]
Here, one thing should be made clear that if any Muslim scholar or general Muslim accepts that Islam is actually Vaishnavism, then it will not be any established Islamic fatwa for all the Muslim ummah. Rather, it is just a personal opinion which is not obligatory to follow without any consideration.
So, in this article, we will try to give the rebuttal to the claim of Vaishnava scholars from the correct Islamic point of view.
ISKCON has said on many points; but it may be difficult to talk on each point as the article will be more complex and huge in size! For this, we are talking on some major points which will be enough to refute their claim 'IN SHA ALLAH' (By Almighty's wish).
=> Krishna is not Allah:
According to Vaishnava view, Krishna is the Supreme Lord.
But Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has preached that Allah is the Supreme Lord.
So, if the Prophet preaches the message of Krishna, that means, Krishna and Allah are the same one.
But we do not think that Krishna and Allah are the same one.
But before giving the response, let us first examine a point.
Suppose, there are two different persons - John & Harry. There are some similarities between them. Both of them are male; both like green colour; both love to play cricket and so on. But inspite of such similarities, both of them are actually two different persons.
Similarly, there can be similarities between Islam and Vaishnavism in different aspects, but inspite of such similarities, it will not mean that Islam is Vaishnavism or Vaishnavism is Islam. If the God, worshipped by the Muslims are not the same God of Vaishnavas (or vice versa), then the similarities are of no use, it is just valueless.
a. Who is Krishna?:
Most of the Hindu consider "Krishna" as an incarnation of god "Vishnu".
But ISKCON considers Krishna as the source of everything and also the Supreme Lord (who remained before god Vishnu).
Krishna also calls himself as the "Supreme Personality of Godhead".
"O Arjuna, as *the Supreme Personality of Godhead*, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come...."[3]
(Bhagavad Gita, 7:26)
Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON has commented on Krishna like this way:
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Kṛṣṇa, personally appeared as the son of Vasudeva. Before He appeared, all the demigods, along with their wives, appeared in different pious families in the world just to assist the Lord in executing His mission."[4]
b. Who is Allah?:
According to Islamic point of view, Allah is the Holiest name of the Almighty Creator Who is the Lord and the Ultimate controller of everything.
Quran is giving the perfect definition of Allah like this way:
"Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him."[5]
(The Noble Quran, 112:1-4)
c. Krishna and Allah are not the same one:
When it is said that Islam is teaching the same spiritual way of Vaishnavism, then the "One God" must be the same in both theology. Isn't it? This is a common sense!
So, let's see....
i. "Krishna" is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran or Hadith:
The Quran is saying,
"This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah"[6]
(The Noble Quran, 2:2)
"...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...."[7]
(The Noble Quran, 5:3)
So, we see, Quran is saying that Islam has been made perfect and clear to mankind.
As per ISKCON, Krishna is the Supreme Lord and so he is the Ultimate One God.
But it is ridiculous that no where in the Quran or Hadith, the name "Krishna" is mentioned!!!
If Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the people about the "One God Krishna", then why didn't he tell us the name ("Krishna") plainly???
Even in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is commanding to surrender only to him avoiding all other religious ways.
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.
I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."[8]
(Bhagavad Gita, 18:66)
So, as per Gita, when surrendering to Krishna is the only way for salvation and again when Islam is made perfect and clear, then why the Quran and the Hadith are not clearing the fact that "Krishna" is the Supreme Lord???
If Islam is really Vaishnavism, then why Allah has not said that He is actually Krishna???
Why such simple issue is not made clear when Islam is made clear and perfect???
The answer is very simple. Any person who has some common sense can identify that Krishna is not any name of Allah.
ii. Krishna had worldly father, mother, wives, children but Allah is free from all such worldly issues:
Krishna is said to be taken human body by his own wish (according to ISKCON).
But if we just take this issue of incarnation for the sake of comparison, then Krishna had worldly mother named "Devaki" and worldly father named "Vasudeva".
He had also a foster mother named "Yashoda" and foster father named "Nanda Baba".[9]
Krishna also had a lot of wives and children.
Swami Prabhupada writes,
"Kṛṣṇa had 16,108 wives, and in each of them He begot ten sons, all of them equal to their father in the opulences of strength, beauty, wisdom, fame, wealth and renunciation."[10]
Now in comparison to worldly matter, if Krishna is Allah, then Allah should not say that He will never become the child of any worldly couple, never wish to have partner, never get any child and so on.
But oh! What is this! The Quran is saying completely opposite.
Allah neither becomes the child of any worldly couple nor He wishes to get any child.
Allah says,
"He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him."[11]
(The Noble Quran, 112:4)
"It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is."[12]
(The Noble Quran, 19:35)
Again Allah also does not get any worldly partner.
"He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion: it is He who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions."[13]
(The Noble Quran, 25:2)
So, Allah does not become any worldly child, does not take any worldly partner and also does not get any worldly child like Krishna in worldly incarnated form.
So, it proves that Allah does not take incarnation like Krishna.
From this, it can clearly be understood that if Allah is actually Krishna, then He would not reject the features of incarnation.
For this, we can easily conclude that Krishna and Allah are not the same one.
iii. Human being does not have the permission to see Allah in this present worldly life; but Krishna showed his 'Bishwa Rupam' (Universal form) and 'Chaturvuj Rupam' (Four-armed form) to Arjuna !!! :
"Sanjaya said: O King, speaking thus, the Supreme, the Lord of all mystic power, the Personality of Godhead, displayed His universal form to Arjuna."[14]
(Bhagavad Gita, 11:9)
"Your mind has been perturbed upon seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. My devotee, be free from all disturbance. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.
Sanjaya said to Dhrtarastra: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, while speaking thus to Arjuna, displayed His real four-armed form, and at last He showed him His two-armed form, thus encouraging the fearful Arjuna."[15]
(Bhagavad Gita, 11:49-50)
So, we clearly see that Krishna is showing his different forms to Arjuna (by giving him(Arjuna) a special power of seeing).
But Quran is clearly saying that no one can see Allah physically in this present worldly life.
It is mentioned in the Quran,
"No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things."[16]
(The Noble Quran, 6:103)
In a fatwa, Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid says,
"...Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is not given to any human being that Allaah should speak to him unless (it be) by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or (that) He sends a Messenger to reveal what He will by His Leave. Verily, He is Most High, Most Wise.” [al-Shoora 42:51].
Abu Hurayrah said: “Some people said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?’
He said, ‘Do you have any doubt about seeing the sun on a cloudless day?’
They said, ‘No, O Messenger of Allaah.’ He said, ‘Do you have any doubt about seeing the full moon on a cloudless night?’ They said, ‘No, O Messenger of Allaah.’
He said, ‘You will see Him just as clearly on the Day of Resurrection…’”
(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6088).
It is clear that the idea that Allaah will not be seen in this life was well-entrenched in the minds of the Sahaabah. They were asking about the Hereafter, and this is what the Prophet’s answer also referred to.
Abu Dharr said: “I asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
‘Have you seen your Lord?’
He said, ‘(There is) light, how could I see Him?’”
This light, which prevented him from seeing Him, is a veil of light, which is further explained in the hadeeth of Abu Moosa, who said,
“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up and told us five things:
‘Allaah does not sleep, and it is not befitting that He should sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds in the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is the light. If He were to withdraw it (the veil), the splendour of His countenance would consume His creation as far as His sight reaches.’” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad and Muslim, 263).
Further clear evidence comes in the hadeeth which warns against the Dajjaal (antichrist):
“Written between his eyes is (the word) kaafir, which will be read by everyone who hates his works, or every believer will read it.
Know that none of you will see your Lord until he dies.”
(Reported by Muslim, 5215).
So any claim that anyone but the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) can see Allaah in reality is impossible, according to the consensus of the scholars...."[17]
So, we are seeing that Krishna is giving the power to Arjuna for seeing his different unique forms, whereas according to Islam, Allah doesn't give permission to see Him physically in this world.
From here, anyone can easily conclude that Krishna is not Allah as there is a clear contradiction between the root concepts and also between the two major commandments.
iv. Krishna is raw material, Allah is the Ultimate Creator:
According to Bhagavad Gita, Krishna made everything from his own body. So, everything in the universe is actually the portion of Krishna.
This issue is said in several places in Bhagavad Gita.
"...Although He is present in His abode, He is all-pervading, and everything is situated within Him."[18]
(Bhagavad Gita, 8:22)
"...Although I am the maintainer of all living entities, and although I am everywhere, still My Self is the very source of creation."[19]
(Bhagavad Gita, 9:5)
"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds.
Everything emanates from Me.
The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."[20]
(Bhagavad Gita, 10:8)
"And when you have thus learned the truth, you will know that all living beings are but part of Me—and that they are in Me, and are Mine."[21]
(Bhagavad Gita, 4:35)
Even the same issue is further mentioned in Manusmriti.
“He, desiring to produce beings of many kinds from his own body….”[22]
(Manusmriti or Manu-Samhita, 1:8)
For this, we can say (according to the above verses as per Vaishnava concept), the creation is a part of Krishna or in other words, the universe is actually a transformation of the body-part or portion of Krishna.
Now, according to physics, the sum total of matter and energy is fixed. It can not be created or destroyed, just can be transformed from one to another form.
Now if a chair is made of wood of a tree, then the chair is actually a transformation of the wood of that tree; it is not actually a new creation in the universe. Here wood is raw material and chair is a new product; but both the elements or the matter of chair or wood is fixed. So making a chair is not actually any new creation in the universe.
Similarly, if Krishna makes the universe by transforming His own portion, then it will also not be considered as a new creation. Here like the wood of the chair, we can also consider "Krishna" just as raw material, not any Creator.
So it is very clear that Vaishnavism fails to say about the Ultimate Creator whereas Quran is clearly saying that Allah is the Ultimate Creator of everything, because Allah doesn't make anything from His own body, rather Allah creates absolutely new out of nothing just by giving the commandments.
Allah says in the Quran,
"But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?"[23]
(The Noble Quran, 19:67)
"(He is the) Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decides a matter, He simply says to it: “Be”, and it comes to be."[24]
(The Noble Quran, 2:117)
"Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition?"[25]
(The Noble Quran, 16:17)
"He(Allah) to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: no son has He begotten, nor has He a partner in His dominion: it is He who created all things, and ordered them in due proportions.
Yet have they taken, besides Him, gods that can create nothing but are themselves created; that have no control of hurt or good to themselves; nor can they control death nor life nor resurrection."[26]
(The Noble Quran, 25:02-03)
So, the truth is very clear that "Krishna" is neither any name of Allah nor he is the actual Creator. And so, we can conclude that Krishna is not Allah.
Therefore, "The One God" about Whom Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has taught the mankind, is not the God of Vaishnavas and so we can also say, Islam is not Vaishnavism at all.
=> Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching is contradicted to the root theology and teaching of Islam:
About the teaching of 'Chaitanya Mahaprabhu'[27], wikipedia says such things stated below:
"Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has left one written record in Sanskrit called Siksastakam. Chaitanya's epistemological, theological and ontological teachings are summarised as ten roots or maxims (dasa mula). The statements of amnaya (scripture) are the chief proof. By these statements the following ten topics are taught.
1. Krishna is the Supreme Absolute Truth.
2. Krishna is endowed with all energies.
3. Krishna is the ocean of rasa (theology).
4. The jivas (individual souls) are all separated parts of the Lord.
5. In bound state the jivas are under the influence of matter, due to their tatastha nature.
6. In the liberated state the jivas are free from the influence of matter, due to their tatastha nature.
7. The jivas and the material world are both different from and identical to the Lord.
8. Pure devotion is the practice of the jivas.
9. Pure love of Krishna is the ultimate goal.
10. Krishna is the only lovable blessing to be received."[28]
Now let us examine these points in the view of Islam.
Point 1: "Krishna is the Supreme Absolute Truth."
=> Well, if we say, Krishna is the Supreme Absolute Truth, it will mean that Krishna is actually a name of Allah as we consider Allah as the Ultimate Lord. But we have already said that no where in the Quran or hadith, the name of One True God is mentioned as "Krishna". Besides we have already proved above that Krishna and Allah are not the same one.
Further, let us remind some points:
"And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him."[29]
(The Noble Quran, 112:4)
So, as per Quran, Allah is not comparable to anything. But Krishna is supposed to be incarnated in worldly form, he got birth like the birth of other creatures, he ate, slept, did sexual intercourse with females and so on and at last died like other human being. So here, from Islamic point of view, Krishna is comparable to worldly matters. For this reason, he can not be Allah, or in other words, "Krishna" is not any name of the One and Only True Creator. That's why we do not consider Krishna as the Supreme Absolute Truth according to the correct Islamic point of view.
Point 2: "Krishna is endowed with all energies."
=> As we do not consider Krishna as the Supreme Absolute Truth, there is no reason to accept that Krishna is endowed with all energies.
Point 3: "Krishna is the ocean of rasa (theology)"
=> Allah says in the Quran,
"...This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion...."[30]
(The Noble Quran, 5:3)
So, Islam is perfect and complete, nothing can be added or removed from Islam. Here as we do not consider Krishna as the Almighty God, we also do not consider that the rasa or theology of Krishna is the part of Islam. So we reject the point that Krishna is the ocean of rasa (theology) as Allah says,
"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."[31]
(The Noble Quran, 3:85)
Point 4: "The jivas (individual souls) are all separated parts of the Lord."
=> It does not matter whether the souls are separated parts of Krishna or not, because we do not consider Krishna as our Lord; but we consider only and only Allah the Almighty as our Lord.
"All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)."[32]
(The Noble Quran, 1:2)
=> Comments on others points:
From the above examination, as we see that Krishna is not the Supreme Absolute Truth, is not the Lord, is not the source of all energy, is not the standard of theology for us, therefore we also reject the other points of Chaitanya's teaching whether they match with Islam or not, as they are all valueless to us.
So, we clearly see that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching has no value in the view of Islam as it shows the other direction rather than the direction of worship of One and Only True Creator Allah.
Conclusion:
From our discussion, we have shown clearly that Krishna and Allah are not the same one. Though ISKCON has tried to make similarities between Vaishnavism and Islam, yet the root concepts of these two faiths are completely different. As Krishna is not actually the True Creator from Islamic point of view, there should not be any comparison between Krishna and Allah; but here, we have compared Krishna with Allah only for the sake of exposing the truth (may Allah forgive us for that. Ameen).
Apart from all these, the teaching of 'Chaitanya Mahaprabhu' (the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism) is contradicted to the root theology and teaching of Islam too.
So, all these issues clearly prove that Islam is not Vaishnavism at all.
_________________
Reference:
[1] "Vaishnavism (Vaishnava dharma) is one of the major traditions within Hinduism along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is also called Vishnuism, its followers are called Vaishnavas, and it considers Vishnu as the Supreme Lord.
The tradition is notable for its avatar doctrine, wherein Vishnu is revered in one of many distinct incarnations. Of these, ten avatars of Vishnu are the most studied. Krishna, Rama, Narayana, Vāsudeva, Hari, Vithoba, Kesava, Madhava, Govinda and Jagannath are among the popular names used for the same supreme. The tradition has traceable roots to the 1st millennium BCE, as Bhagavatism, also called Krishnaism. Later developments led by Ramananda created a Rama-oriented movement, now the largest monastic group in Asia. The Vaishnava tradition has many sampradayas (denominations, sub-schools) ranging from the medieval era Dvaita school of Madhvacharya to Vishishtadvaita school of Ramanuja. New Vaishnavism movements have been founded in the modern era such as the ISKCON of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami...."
(source - Wikipedia
Link - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism)
[2] A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on Islam and Vaishnavism;
source - http://www.harekrsna.de/artikel/islam.htm
[3] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[4] "Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead" - by A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
Bhaktivedanta purport of the First Chapter of Kṛṣṇa, "Advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa"";
source - http://krsnabook.com/ch1.html
[5] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[6] Saheeh International Translation of Al-Quran
[7] Saheeh International Translation of Al-Quran
[8] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[9] Source : Wikipedia
Link : Source- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna
[10] "Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Second Volume, Sixth Chapter, of Kṛṣṇa, "The Genealogical Table of the Family of Kṛṣṇa."";
source - https://krsnabook.com/ch60.html
[11] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[12] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[13] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[14] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[15] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[16] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[17] Islam Q&A: Basic Tenets of Faith/Belief/Belief in Allaah/2734: Is it possible to see Allaah in this world?
(A fatwa of Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid;
source - https://islamqa.info/en/2734)
[18] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[19] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[20] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[21] 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON
[22] The Laws of Manu, translated by George Bühler;
source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu01.htm
[23] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[24] Translation of Quran by Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani
[25] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[26] Translation of 'The Holy Qur'an' by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
[27] "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (also transliterated Caitanya Mahāprabhu); 18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534) was a spiritual leader who founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He is believed by some of his devotees to be Krishna himself[citation needed] who appeared in the form of His own devotee in order to teach the people of this world the process of Bhakti and how to attain the perfection in life. He is considered as the most merciful manifestation of Krishna[citation needed]. Chaitanya was the proponent for the Vaishnava school of Bhakti yoga (meaning loving devotion to God), based on Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita. Of various incarnations of Vishnu, he is revered as Krishna, popularised the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and composed the Siksastakam (eight devotional prayers) in Sanskrit. His followers, Gaudiya Vaishnavas, revere him as a Krishna with the mood and complexion of his source of inspiration Radha. His birthday is celebrated as Gaura-purnima."
(Source - Wikipedia
Link - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaitanya_Mahaprabhu)
[28] Source - Wikipedia
Link - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaitanya_Mahaprabhu
[29] The Noble Qur'an English Translation by Hilali and Khan
[30] The Noble Qur'an English Translation by Hilali and Khan
[31] The Noble Qur'an English Translation by Hilali and Khan
[32] The Noble Qur'an English Translation by Hilali and Khan
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