I thought of sharing an analogy I noticed in one of the events related to Islam (birth of Maula Ali) and another related to Hinduism (birth of Radha, divine consort of Sri Krishna), and I was awed at the similarity.
Many Islamic narrations reveal that after the holy birth of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Maula Ali) in the holy Kaaba, he did not cry or even open his eyes, causing distress to his mother who had come out of the Kaaba after three days. She was worried as the newborn child was not even accepting milk or any food from her or anybody else. It is said that as soon as Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) came there and held the baby in his arms, he opened his eyes and thus the first person whom the child glimpsed was of the Nabi. Moreover, at the same time, the Prophet also put his finger in the child's mouth to provide some nursing and the child immediately sucked on the finger and was calmed. Hence, the first person whom Maula Ali saw and took nourishment from was indeed the holy Prophet. This event also cements the inseparable nature and divine spiritual bond of Ali and the prophet.
Now, in Hinduism, related to the story of Lord Krishna it is said that Radha (or Sri Radha / Radharani) was born one year after Krishna's birth and her birth was also holy as she was found in a water body resting inside the lotus flower (symbol of creation/ Brahma) and was taken as a baby by her destined parents. But she would not even open her eyes or take any food, which also caused immense anxiety to her parents. It was then that a holy sage advised them to have a ceremony in the city of Gokula and invite everyone in their area (including family of Krishna) which they did (much to their surprise). It was only then that Krishna (as a one-year-old baby) went up to the cradle where Radha rested at which she opened her eyes and then baby Krishna (who was fond of eating and stealing butter as a child) who already had butter on his fingers, put his finger and provided the first food to Radha which she happily took as prasad from her beloved (Transcendental birth of Sri Radha - Sastra Caksusa). As many know, Radha was considered the divine consort of Krishna (with some view that she was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, just as Krishna was the human incarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu).
For some reason, I was not only awed but pleasantly surprised at the beauty of both stories. As many narrations in Islam indicate, Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) and Maula Ali are considered two souls of the same body and that has also been claimed by the prophet many times. Similarly, Radha and Krishna are considered twin souls and divine companions. It also depicts how for the lover (spiritual love) the only thing that matters in the material world (dunya) is the face and offering of their Beloved, and that is the pinnacle of Love and respect. Hence, both of them during their holy births, choose not to see anything of the material world but only the first glimpse of the Beloved's face.
