Hindu · One without a second

“We already believe God is one — in many forms.”

A real conversation about the oneness in the Upanishads and Vedas, whether the infinite can be given an image, and where the Qur'an agrees.

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Verses for this conversation

“Say: He is God, the One. God, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, and there is none comparable to Him.”

Quran 112:1–4

How the conversation unfolds

01Your own texts describe one single reality
02Can the truly unlimited take a form?
03Creation is surely not the Creator
04Direct prayer without any intermediary
05Guidance was sent to every single people

Let's talk

A conversation between Hindu and Muslim

Muslim

Hiya! I'm Imran. What's your name?

You

Priya. Nice to meet you.

Muslim

You too, Priya. What's your background, faith-wise, if you don't mind me asking?

You

I'm Hindu. God is one, really, just in lots of different forms.

Muslim

That's interesting, because your own scriptures say God is one, with no second. Like it says in the Chandogya Upanishad, 'Ekam evadvitiyam', one without a second.

You

Yeah, my nan used to say that.

Muslim

And they say nothing can picture Him. Like in the Yajurveda 32:3, 'There is no image of Him.' The Qur'an says the same, like in 42:11, 'Nothing is like Him.'

You

But the murtis help us focus. We're not worshipping stone.

Muslim

I get that, honestly. But if God's got no limits, can any shape really hold Him? It might end up making Him smaller.

You

Hmm. Never thought about it like that.

Muslim

The sun, rivers, cows, they're all beautiful. But they're made. Islam says respect what's made, and worship the One who made it.

You

What about gurus who help us reach God?

Muslim

In Islam you don't need anyone in between. You just talk to Him. Like it says in the Qur'an 2:186, 'I am near, I answer whoever calls Me.'

You

That's quite beautiful actually.

Muslim

It is. No priest, no booking. Just you and Him, any time, any language.

You

But why would God only speak to Arabs?

Muslim

He didn't. Every people got a messenger. Like it says in 35:24, 'There was no nation without a warner sent to it.' Muhammad was just the last one, for everyone.

You

So what would I actually do next?

Muslim

Read the Qur'an, maybe next to the Upanishads. See where they meet. And ask God yourself to guide you.

You

And if I feel it's true?

Muslim

Then you'd say the Shahada: 'There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger.' One without a second, like your nan said. Whenever you're ready, Priya.

Take the next step at your own pace

Nothing here needs a decision today. Read the evidence, ask your own questions, and take as long as you need.

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