Read the Eid-ul-Adha Sermon below:
The Story of Abraham/Abram/Ibrahim/ Brahma
Ibrahim, the Patriarch
and Friend of Allah, saw in a vision that he was offering his only son Isma’il
as a sacrifice to the Lord. He said to the boy: “O son of mine, I have seen
in a dream that I was slaughtering you; So, tell me what you think of it.’
The boy replied: “O Father, do as you have been commanded; you will find
me, if Allah please, of those who are steadfast.”
Ibrahim made the
necessary preparations. When all was ready and he was about to proceed to the fulfilment
of what he thought he had been commanded to do, he received the revelation that
he had indeed fulfilled his dream. (As-Swaffat 37: 104-108).
The true meaning of the dream was not that he should sacrifice his son in the manner in which he had seen himself doing in the dream, but that both he and his son should be ready to make a great sacrifice to win the pleasure of God. This great sacrifice was that the boy and his mother should be settled in a distant, barren valley, so that the boy should be made an instrument for the purpose of establishing the true worship of God in and around the Sacred House. (Ibrahim 14: 38).
The object of the
Pilgrimage was that its participants should derive social benefits therefrom,
join in the worship of God, offer sacrifices, fulfil their vows, and perform
the circuits of the House while glorifying and praising God. (Al-Hajj 22:
29-30).
Here
am I, O Allah, here am I; Here am I, there is no associate with You. All praise
is Yours and all Bounty; There is no associate with You.
This response to the
call of Allah is interspersed with: “Allah is Great, Allah is Great, there
is no being worthy of worship save Allah; Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and all
praise belongs to Allah.”
BRAHMA AND ABRAHAM THE
PATRIARCH
A comparison of the
Bible, the Quran and Hindu literature strongly suggests that Abraham, Abram or
Ibrahim, as known in the Bible and Quran respectively, was the same person as
Brahma of the Hindus, although in the latter case he has been raised to the
position of a God. The Aryans, dividing into various groups, all came from Ur
of Mesopotamia.
The dwellers of Ur, the
Urians, eventually became known as the Aryans. It has become universally
recognized in history that the Ur region of Mesopotamia was the cradle of
civilization.
NOAH AND MESOPOTAMIA
Noah, the tenth
ancestor of Ibrahim (who is known as Manu in Indian scriptures) was a native of
the region of Mesopotamia. The account of Noah, the great deluge and the
construction of the Ark, is related in the Quran, in chapters Hud and
Al-Muminun. In the Bible we may read an account of the same episode in Genesis,
Chapters 6, 7 and 8. In the Hindu literature we find a similar anecdote in the
Mahabharata, (Chapter 3: 187) and also in Shatapatha Brahma, verses 1-8-1: 1-6.
From Christian and
Muslim records we find that when the flood was over, the descendants and
followers of Noah spread throughout the length and breadth of the then-known
world, some crossing over to Europe. A tradition of the Holy Prophet of Islam
(pbuh), narrated by Abu Huraira (ra), tells us that the Romans were the
descendants of Shem, a son of Noah (as) (Hujalul-Kerama p. 437) and that the
people of Russia, including Moscow, were the offspring of Japheth, as is
recorded in Genesis (10: 2) and Ezekiel (38: 2-3).
Noah’s deluge was an object
of terror to the Mesopotamians. A history of the Ancient world records that ‘one
myth thus depicted the Gods, angered by the clamour of men, sending down the
flood.’ (p. 40). Shem had sons named Asshur, Japheth and Zavan who founded
kingdoms around Mesopotamia known by their respective names. In the
Mahabharata, Chapter 85 of Adiparba and 51 of Bonaparba contain an account of the
kingdom of the Zavan people.
The Assyrians were very
oppressive; the surrounding tribes and territories were all kept overwhelmed
with terror by their oppression. We learn from history, ‘The very name
Assyria began to strike terror in the hearts of all who heard it’ and ‘that
mighty Assyria, was feared by all the ancient world’ (The History of the World,
p. 28, 30 by John V.D. Southworth). The dwellers of Ur were frequently invaded
by the Assyrians and hence they came to hold a sense of contempt and disregard
towards them. For this reason the Aryans of Hind were at enmity with the
Asshurs (p. 28 and 72 of Rigveda Samhita, translated by Ramesh Chandra Batta).
At that time the tribal
societies were always at war with one another among themselves. The stronger
tribes exploited the weaker ones and robbed them of their possessions. The
Indian Aryans called their assailants and plunderers Zavan, as in Bangladesh
robbers and aggressors are called Harmad (Armada). This may account for the
fact the descendants of Zavan (grandson of Noah) might have laid repeated siege
upon the people of Ur, as did the Armada. It is for this reason that in later
ages the Greeks and the Muslims, owing to their frequent aggression upon the
Aryans of India, earned the title of Zavan.
THE LAND OF MANY GODS
Leonard Woolley in his
book “Abraham” asserts that Abraham [Ibrahim] lived in 2100 BC. His father was
a Government officer in high rank. People who lived in the Ur region were,
generally divided into three classes: Amilu, Miskine and Ardu.
Amilu formed the
nobility, Miskines lived on agriculture and business like the Baishyas, and the
Ardus were treated as slaves like the Hindu Sudra caste. The Urians believed in
5000 gods. Every city had its own god. The name of the god of Ur city was
Nannar (Moon god). Its statue was set on a hill near the city and it was
accompanied by the goddess [God forbid], Nangul, his wife. Similarly the
god of Larsa city was called Shamash (Sun god). There were many star gods too.
It might not be absurd that this moon god of Ur hill bearing a symbol of the
moon on his head was subsequently carried over with his wife (parbati) to the
Himalayas. The Jewish Encyclopedia admits that the Urians were votaries of the
sun, moon and stars.
The Quran also
corroborates that Hazrat Ibrahim’s (as) tribe idolized the sun, the moon and
stars and that he denounced polytheism arguing, in the Quran: “Thus, it
happened that when he was enveloped in the darkness of night he saw a star…
when he saw the moon rising… when he saw the sun rising, he said: Can this be
my Lord?” He categorically declared, “I have
nothing to do with that which you associate with Allah [I totally reject
whatever you associate with Allah]”, i.e. the sun, the moon and
stars cannot at all be like Allah. He is perfectly free of all partnership.
In the same manner the
Upanisad admits: ‘Na tatra suryo bhati na chandra
tarakam’, i.e. neither the sun nor the moon nor stars can stand for
a proper manifestation of God. (Mondok-Upanisad 2/2/15 and Shetasshatara
Upanisad 6/14). It appears that these words arose out of the same tongue.
ETYMOLOGICAL SIMILARTIES
Etymologically the term
Mesopotamia means a territory bounded by two rivers. Iraq, the current name of
Mesopotamia, also means coastal regions of a river. The residential areas of
the Aryans in later ages were named after rivers. For example, Sind derives
from ‘Sapta Sindhu’ and Punjab from Panchab, the five rivers. It is learnt from
history that people thereof worshipped numerous gods and deities, the greatest
of them being ‘An’, which means the sky. (A history of the Ancient World p.
38). It can be said, without the least doubt, that with the passage of time,
this Sky god (An) [as they perceive] was transformed into Indra.
The Cambridge History
of India, shows further similarity between the Mesopotamians and Aryans of India,
and states:
'In these occur references to the people of Mitaani in the north-west Mesopotamia, whose princes bear names like Artatama, Turratta and Suttana which seem unmistakably Aryan in form-names like Surjas ‘sun’ and Marytas seem identical with the Sanskrit Surya and Marutas (the Wind god). While, Similia ‘Queen of the snow mountains’ can hardly be separated from the name of the great mountain range Himalayas and the Iranian word for snow, Zina. To a much later period belongs the list of deities worshipped in different temples of Assyria which was found in the library of Assurbanipal (about 7000 B.C.) in which occurs the name Assara-Mazas, immediately preceding the seven good angels and the seven bad spirits. The combination hardly leaves it doubtful that we have here the chief deity of Zoroastrianism, Ahura Madza’ (Vol. 1, edited by E.J. Rapson, Prof. of Sanskrit in the University of Cambridge, pp. 67-68).
This statement also
shows that Mesopotamia was the original homeland of both the Aryans, Iranian
and Indian. In a tradition of the Holy Prophet of Islam, the Iranians are
mentioned as being descendant of Ibrahim (as) (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. VI, p. 215).
D. Sahidullah showing
several synonyms of the Veda and Avesta states that there is no doubt that
ancient religion of the Aryans of Iran and of India was the same. The
synonymous words are:
Veda [which became known as] Avesta
Asshur [which became known as] Ashura
Mitra [which became known as] Mithra
Indra [which became known as] Indra-Andra
Zam (Yam) [which became known as] Yim
Apoo [which became known as] Apu
Bayu [which became known as] Boyu
Dev [which became known as] Da-eb
(Deo)
Manyu [which became known as] Mainyu
These two sects of the
Aryans quarrelled with each other and disparaged the superiors of their
opponents. The Hindu Aryans turned Asshur into ‘Ashura’ to depreciate him and
the Iranians in return, spitefully rejected ‘Dev’ as ‘Deo’ (demon). However,
both Deva and Ashura, originated from the same person (Adiparba, Chapter 65,
Mahabharata).
Ismail, the eldest son
of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was the great ancestor of the Arabs and from Ishaq
(Issac) came into being the Israelites and Iranian tribes. Zimron, Jakshan,
Medan, Median, Ishbak and Shuah sons of Ibrahim by his third wife were the
forefathers of the Aryans who were scattered in India, Midian and other
oriental countries. Ibrahim (as), native of Ur, sent them to the western
countries to preach his mission. (Genesis 25: 1-6). Thus the covenant of God: “I
have made you the father of a multitude of nations” (Genesis, 17:5) came
true.
These six sons of Ibrahim
have been referred to in the Mahabharata by different names. They were regarded
as the spiritual sons of Brahma (Chapter 65: Adiparba).
In this context it is
worth mentioning that although all Aryans in their origin belonged to Ur,
Brahmins alone of the Indian Aryans were considered as the spiritual
descendants of Ibrahim or Brahma. They are venerated as his spiritual sons on
account of them having faith upon his revelation. As they believed and followed
the words that came out of the lips of Ibrahim they were metaphorically said to
have been created from Brahma’s mouth.
PILGRIMAGE
In connection with a
pilgrimage, in the Mahabharata it is narrated that Brahma, father of mankind
performed a sacrificial ceremony on a hill and set up a Brahmashata (House of
God) there. (Bonaparba 87).
It is incumbent upon
the pilgrims to circumambulate the altar set by BRAHMA (Chapter 84). In the
same location there is a well, which is famous all over the three worlds. To
bathe there after shaving is considered to be an act of virtue (Chapter 82).
Are not Brahma’s sacrifice, the Brahmashala, the rule of shaving, the noted
well and the practice of walking round, etc. identical with the great sacrifice
of Hazrat Ibrahim, the Holy Ka’aba (the House of God at Mecca), Tawaaf
(the practice of circumambulation), Zamzam (a spring of water found near the Ka’aba)
and shaving of the head at the performance of Hajj or Umra (pilgrimages to
Mecca)?
During the Hajj, a
Muslim has to shave his head and wear a piece of white unsewn cloth exactly in
the same way as a Brahmin, who is a professional worshipper, puts an unsewn
white cloth and shaves his head during his religious performances. We find in
some Hindu festivals a process of making seven circuits, which is similar to
the practice of Muslims during their pilgrimage.
Circumambulation means
self-sacrifice. To walk around a thing implies a pledge of self-dedication for
its cause. It also indicates the importance of a divine teacher and stands for
owing allegiance to the Centre; i.e. the life and activities of the performer
of circumambulation will be determined and dictated by the Centre.
Many ancient Brahmins
stated that they visited Mukkha Ishwar Ashram (God’s House at Mecca) and
travelled to many other holy places. (Comparative Religion p. 542, Al-Furqan,
December 1964)
Ramsankar Misra in his
Hindi Mahabharata writes that Shiva Brahmin went to Arabia to offer adoration
(p. 35). What is more curious and astonishing is that still many Hindus believe
that Mahadev is captivated in the Ka’aba of Mecca and he will be released if
ablution is performed in a particular manner. (Ashastriya Purana - Dr. Sunti
Kumar Chatterjee, has spoken of this Shiva of Mokkeswar). Whether true or
false, this story establishes a link between the Ka’aba of Hazrat Ibrahim and
Indian Hindus in general, and with Brahmins of ancient times in particular.
MONOTHEISM
The question arises:
How can the polytheistic Brahmins be the followers of Brahma (Abraham/ Ibrahim)
who was unequivocally a monotheist? As to this paradox, I appeal to the
truth-seekers to consider how the descendants of Hazrat Isma’il (as) had
forgotten monotheism and taken to worshipping 360 gods and goddesses at Mecca
and how the children of Issac, in spite of repeated warnings from God, adored
the Baal god. Similarly the Brahmins who recognized Brahma and followed him
became idolaters. Like the Quraish tribe, they succeeded in gaining control
over the worshipping of the idols of the temple.
The Holy Quran contains
an account of the enemies of Ibrahim resorting to an evil design to burn him.
However, God rescued him from the furnace. The Upanisad says that: ‘Fire
could not even touch the hair of Brahma’. (Keno-Upanisad 305/6).
The Aryans of India
brought with them some rites, rituals, customs and superstition from their
prime homeland, Mesopotamia. The system of burnt offering on the altar is also
found in the Bible (Genesis 8: 20). Crucifixion as a penalty for a thief
(Adiparta Chapter 63 Mahabharata) was also prevalent at the time of Jesus. The
Bible refers to a three-pronged spear (I Samuel 2: 13; 1 Chronicles 28: 17).
Its use (i.e. the Trishul) was not unknown to the Aryans.
Thus, in many respects,
the Indian Aryans still retain some reminiscences of their prime homeland. Not
only in rites and customs but also in administrative matters, there exists some
similarly between these two places. According to the Bible the extensive area
lying between Ethiopia (Kush) to Hind (India) was divided into 127 provinces
(Esther 1: 1).
We note a king named
Nohush or Nahash both in the Bible and Mahabharta (Adiparba 75: 1; Samuel, 11:
1-11). Dr. Krishna Mohan Banarjee asserts that Baol; the Babylonian king and
Bol of Voda, and the Asshur of Assyria and Ashura of Indian Scriptures, are
identical (introduction of the Rigved Chapter I & II and Aryan Witness). As
a matter of fact, the central point of these similarities is Hazrat Ibrahim or
Brahma.
THE FIRST CREATED
The Hindus regard
Brahma the first of the created beings. If such is the case how can he be
identified with Hazrat Ibrahim who was born only 4,000 years ago? In answer to
this question, we may say that he has been placed at the forefront of all
creation by his followers, by force of their blind homage and unqualified
respect. The Mahabharata says: Narayana, created
Brahma and felicitated that he would be the chieftain of mankind
(Shantiparba, Chapter 339). A similar description is also found in the Bible: By
you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall bless themselves (Genesis
12: 3). In the Holy Quran too he has been addressed as the leader of the human
race: I shall make you Imam (leader) of mankind.
(Al-Baqara 2: 125).
As he gained the
highest position by virtue of his qualification he was, out of honour, placed
at the outset of creation in Hindu belief. Not only that, but even Manu, from
whom derives the term Manusya (man), is said to be created later than Brahma.
This is indeed, an outcome of possibly too much devotion and undue reverence.
Thus, we find the
stories and beliefs of the many religions of the world interconnected with
Hazrat Ibrahim, and have as fundamental belief, the Oneness of God, but
unfortunately due to undue reverence to the prophets and messengers of God
Almighty, these prophets were deified and many idols were then placed along the
worship of the Pure and Unique God and it was Islam which came to re-establish
the hidden truth concealed throughout the years.
Now it is for us
Muslims to preserve this Islam and the real sacrifice of our forefather Abraham
(as) and to stand up firmly for the Unicity of Allah, i.e. the Tawheed
until our last breath on earth. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
I wish all of you, Eid Mubarak.