Dunya ba omid zenda ast: Islam

Showing posts with label Islam. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2026

A beautiful similarity in one of the stories of Islam and Hinduism

I wanted to share a similarity in the message of stories that I noted in one of the stories of Islam and Hinduism.

First, let me talk of the story that is related to the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). about the incident of the great fire into which the prophet was thrown by the tyrant Nimrod. There is an anecdote (although it's not explicitly stated in the holy book) that as the blazing fire leapt, a small bird was seen to carry water drops in its beak back and forth from a nearby river and making consistent efforts to help in dousing the flames. The other larger birds would mock at her act taunting that her action was no good since the tiny amounts of water would hardly have any effect on such great flames leaping up the skies. To that, the bird replied with sincerity that it knew it wouldn't be able to achieve the end result of extinguishing the flame to save the beloved prophet, but it knew in its heart that the sincere effort was what mattered and that is what was eventually significant in the eyes of God.

The link of the story are available here:

Even the Fire Couldn't Stop This Tiny Bird's Devotion to Ibrahim!

Do What You Can to Help, for Allah Will Ask What You Did Not How Much… | Amaliah

II.

Now, what I was in awe of was that I realized that a very similar theme/anecdote exists in the Ramayana connected to the Ram-Setu story with Rama. As the Vanars (monkeys) were carrying big boulders (with the name of Rama written on them) and working hard to create the bridge (setu) to Lanka, a small squirrel was seen carrying small pebbles and consistently going back and forth so it could help in the building of the bridge. The Vanars were seen making fun of her and commenting that her act was futile as it was having no contribution whatsoever in the building of the enormous structure on water. Meanwhile, Rama (incarnation of God) was present observing all things and events and quietly smiling. He then went and took the squirrel in his palm and gave his words of wisdom to the Vanar Sena stating that any effort done with pure sincere devotion is what is sacred in the eyes of God and that is never small. He also blessed the squirrel for its act immortalizing that act of devotion.

I decided to post this video of this particular sequence as no other link would do justice.

महाएपिसोड - जानिए राम सेतु बनाने में गिलहरी क्या था योगदान ? श्रीमद् रामायण

(In the video, which is actually a full episode of the series, the episode I am talking about is present from time stamp: 33:19- 38:00 minutes)

Truly, one should do their karma as it's their duty, irrespective of their strengths/ weaknesses/ limitations as every tiny bit does count (although it may not be visible physically but counts spiritually) and that the final outcome rests with God. Moreover, what I found deep was that ultimately, as each soul is answerable to God, consistently doing what is the right thing (even though you may face criticism or no support from peers or others in power) is what is true Dharma of every being...

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

A beautiful similarity in one of the stories of Quran and Ramayana

I wanted to share some interesting insights and beautiful similarities I noted in one of the stories of the holy Quran (Surah Al-Fil, 105:4) and that of the Ramayana (Ram-Setu episode). The connection I am posting about is based on the story of the Ababeel (birds) of the Surah Al-Fil in Quran.

First, I will talk of that part:

In that story, there is a tyrant (named Abraha) who wanted to destroy the holy Kaaba and marched along with his mighty army of elephants. At that moment, Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) prayed to Allah to help protect Kaaba from the attack. At that moment, the sky was filled with a vast flock of Ababeel (birds) that were each carrying specific stones (called Sijjil in the Quran), with each bird carrying one in its beak and two in both its claws, thus fully loaded. Seeming harmless at first, these little stones rained down on the army and had the power to completely destroy the army of Abraha and his elephants and brought about the complete destruction of the tyrant’s army, thus protecting the house of God.

Let me now talk of the Ramayana episode which bears a familiarity with this. In that story, Rama, in his ardent search for his beloved wife Sita (who was abducted by the tyrant Ravana in his golden palace Lanka), takes help of his army of monkeys (Vanar Sena), who carried stones that were thrown on the sea, and they began to float instead of sinking (due to a divine miracle as they bore the name of Ram written by the Vanar Sena, although some other narratives say that they floated as they were thrown by specific Vanars (Nal and Neel) who had the boon that whatever they threw in water shall never sink). The bridge (called as Ram Setu) was thus built after innumerable stones were carried and thrown on water without sinking, and Ram crossed it with his army and overthrew the tyrant Ravana and saved the prestige of his dynasty (Raghukul) and also brought back his wife, thus upholding Dharma...

Now, I found that the stones which the birds carried were stones of baked clay or pumice (referred to as Sijjil) that are supposedly very light (and that's what makes it possible for birds to carry it), but when thrown from such heights in the sky, they are capable of wreaking havoc...And in this case, pumice stone has air pockets and is actually porous, so if its thrown in water (which was the case in the story of Ramayana) it can actually float (see the photo below and the link with it, where the nature of such stones as in the Surah Al-Fil is described):

Note that the link below only talks about the power of stones in the Ababeel story when they were sent down from a great height but in the sky.

Birds and Baked Clay - Amplify Islam

However, the common theme I observed was that the stone used in Ram Setu construction was also same (pumice stone); thus, it was indeed Sijjil (but which was thrown on the water by monkeys) instead of thrown on the ground by birds...But the purpose of both was the same- that is, to uphold the Dharma or sanctity and bring about the destruction of the evil (Abraha in the first and Ravana in the second case). I was awed as I also noted that both six-lettered names (Abraha and Ravana) are mostly similar (67% similar letters), and both were tyrants who were filled with pride (takabbur) and chose the path of adharma...

Interestingly enough, one of the recent missiles Iran launched against Israel in the Iran-US-Israel 2026 war (to uphold the truth and Dharma) was also called "Sijjil" - inspiration deriving from the name of that baked clay stone Sijjil mentioned in the Surah Al-Fil.

Moreover, the actual pumice stone (from the holy Hindu site of Rameswaram, South India), is actually sold as originating from the Ram Setu Bridge, and those pilgrims who visit Rameswaram can actually bring similar stones that actually float on water). I had a similar stone that I was so fascinated with in the house once and I was told by my mother in my early childhood that her father got it from Rameswaram when he visited it in one of his pilgrimages...I was so deeply fascinated by that stone that I would drop it in water and it would float, and I always wanted to keep that holy stone...Anyways, now as I look back, there is no stone or any bridge, just flowing water.............

Monday, April 27, 2026

A beautiful similarity of Maula Ali and Sri Radha during their births

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.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Some musings on the Sistine Chapel painting by Michelangelo

I wanted to share some of my insights I kept on observing in one of the famous paintings (The Hands of God and Adam) that adorns the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and was painted by Michelangelo in the year 1512. In this post, I have focused on only the specific part of the original painting where the fingers of Adam and God are shown in the movement of touch but with a gap (see below).

The Hands of God and Adam (c. 1512) by Michelangelo

https://www.artchive.com/artwork/the-hands-of-god-and-adam-michelangelo-c-1512/

Before I discuss my observations, I would like to first mention the interpretations already existing for this particular gesture and gap as available online. A commonly discussed explanation (of why Michelangelo painted the fingers so close to touching but never touching and why God’s finger is pointing fully straight while Adam’s finger is bent and not fully stretched towards God) given is that of “free will”, wherein the gap is suggesting that while God is fully present for Adam with a fully outstretched finger, Adam is shown to be given a choice in whether he also wants to seek God and connect with Him in the same way or not (see illustration below).

The Creation of Adam: A Profound Artistic Message in Michelangelo’s Hands

Now, Michelangelo, for one, was a devout Christian who is known to have a deep longing and love for God (Christ), and he was an avid poet too (apart from being a genius sculptor) whose poems are replete with the fragrance of God Almighty. Anyhow, Michelangelo painted the fingers and left the gap highlighting the Christian theological concept of free will that in turn, defines the path of every human’s spiritual evolution.

Following are my interpretations that originate from an Islamic perspective:

A). The first is based on one of the Surahs from the holy Quran which says: "Does man think that We cannot assemble his bones? Nay, we are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers. Surah Qiyamah 75:3-4

Now, in this Surah, God is speaking about the resurrection of the soul on the day of judgment, where his fingertips will also be reconstructed. Many scholars believe this indeed hints at the uniqueness of each person coming from their fingertips. The fingertip of every human being on earth is considered unique, as even twins have unique fingerprints (already confirmed by modern science), and thus it is a mark of the individual identity and journey…If one notices the maze-like fingerprint structure (see photo below), which is unique, one can’t help but believe that indeed that’s the reason why each person’s journey on earth (and thus the tests and lessons they ought to learn in their present lifetime) is unique to them and consequently should not be compared to any other person on earth..

Quran Miracle: Identity In Fingertips | The Last Dialogue

So, this confirms that God indeed has a personal relationship with every human being, which intriguingly also resonates with the biblical idea of Jesus desiring a personal relationship with every human.

B). Another insight I felt does not directly comes from Quran but from another Islamic book (Sahih al-Bukhari) which says about God speaking to Adam (his servant/ creation): “if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.'

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 7405; In-book reference: Book 97, Hadith 34

Sahih al-Bukhari 7405 - Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) - كتاب التوحيد - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

So basically, what God is saying is that if his servant walks to him, God runs to him, which simply means that if a little step is taken, God will take a bigger step to reach his creation (simply because he is the Ar-Rahman and all merciful). And so, it somehow connects with the painting gesture.

C) Moreover, the finger of Adam is literally bent (as if it is in Sajdah/ prayer) in front of the finger of God, which also reiterates that just like all of the creation is in constant worship (ibaadat) of God, so is Adam.

What is the conclusion?

Interestingly, what a Christian artist (here Michelangelo) discovered or showed seemed to be already known 1400 years ago. Not surprisingly, most of the things in the holy Quran spoken by God 1400 years ago are proven by science already.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Soulful songs of praise- collection of Naats/Nasheeds

Sharing list of some of very beautiful Islamic Naat/ nasheeds by various artists. I had removed this post earlier, as I do not want to give certain impressions based on what religions I follow (which is Hinduism) or plan to change if at all (unlikely). However, as for me, music and praise of God (no matter what religion or country or state) is what ultimately is the goal, I decided to repost the collection of songs which I have listened to for so many years and have in fact, given me peace.

All of these songs are quite peaceful and soft to the heart...

(P.S. There are lots more which are very close to my heart, but due to some personal reasons/ privacy, I am sharing only few of them here)

Nasheeds:

Last Breath - Ahmed Bukhatir - أحمد بوخاطر - النفس الأخير - Arabic Music Video

Omar Esa - Aye Khuda (Oh Lord) - Vocals Only Nasheed

Fiyya Hubbun, Fiyya Wajdun | In Love In Ecstasy #nasheed | English Translation

The Beauty of Existence - Heart Touching Nasheed

Siedd - Allah Humma (Official Nasheed Video) | Vocals Only

ALLAH KA GHAR | Nabeel Shaukat Ali feat. Tahseen Sakina | Ramzan Kalaam 2025

Sami Yusuf - Al Faqir | الفقير (Official Lyric Video) #worldmusic #worldmusictraditions

Sami Yusuf - The 99 Names : English & French Lyrics

Sami Yusuf – Glorification (Official Music Video) #worldmusic