Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: “The Qur’an is quite explicit and categorical on the fundamental principle that Allah has sent messengers with revelations communicating His will to all nations on the face of the earth. Among the numerous verses to this effect in the Qur’an are the following: “And there is not a nation but a warner has passed among them.” (Fatir: 24); “We have raised in every nati
on a messenger (proclaiming), ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods!’” (An-Nahl: 36).
Since India is a great country with teeming millions, it is inconceivable that it should be deprived of divine guidance. If we take this point for granted, then it is still more inconceivable to think that such messages are found any where but the Hindu scriptures. It does not take an expert in comparative religion to find many ideas in those scriptures that closely parallel or resemble the teachings of the Tawrah, Injeel, and the Qur’an. Among such essential concepts we can readily include the following: Belief in a supreme deity Who is at once absolute, unique and transcendent; emphasis on a life of purity, love and devotion to Him. Besides, we also find in Hinduism the core virtues and commandments such as the prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage. As Imam Shah Waliyullah has rightly pointed out, these essential notions and virtues are found in all of the great religions of the world. Furthermore, we also know that one of the most central religious idea in Hinduism is self-surrender, which is at once very core and quintessence of Islam.
Having said this, however, we must be on guard against concluding with any degree of certainty about the exact identity of the messengers sent to India. The Qur’an is silent about them, while generally telling the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) “And Messengers We have mentioned to you and Messengers We have not mentioned to you…” (An-Nisaa’: 164). Let us, therefore, not rush to make conclusions; we only confirm such essential truths and principles as we find in those scriptures that conform to the teachings of the Qur’an (since the latter has been sent to guard, preserve, and safeguard the pristine truths revealed to all prophets), while rejecting all those teachings in those scriptures that are contrary to the teachings of the Qur’an, and finally, leaving to Allah Alone the knowledge and judgment concerning matters we have no sure knowledge of. We believe that Allah, the Creator and Sovereign Lord of all beings, will render the final judgment with regard to differences dividing these religions from one another.”