Abrahamic Traditions: Hinduism Vs. Islam

Hinduism and Islam have a couple of fundamental differences that truly separate each other. One main difference is the focus on a holistic religion in regards to Hinduism. By this, I mean that Hindus share this idea that all religions have a place within theirs, and the choice that one makes throughout their life indicates how close they are to reaching moksha. This ideology is definitely a resemblance of a cyclical worldview. This is drastically different that Islam and the other Abrahamic traditions who identify that life has a specific beginning, middle, and end to life. This most clearly identifies with the linear worldview. The aspect of this linear worldview that I find intriguing deals with the mindset of you only live once. Though cliché

and overused in today’s society, the fundamental idea of this holds weight in my opinion.

One can take this idea and apply to their life through doing good deeds throughout their short time on earth. This idea of no second chances seems to push people to leave a positive imprint on their society in the few years they have to do so. A similar aspect from a different perspective relates to the cyclical ideology. The knowledge or belief that life will continue after life in another form or body. This perspective drives people to do good in their lives and set themselves up for an even better one in their next life. This cyclical view is clearly represented in Hinduism with the idea of achieving moksha. Both of these aspects in relation to cyclical and linear worldviews I find intriguing as they both encourage good deeds, but with a different goal in mind.

Through my study of Islam and Hinduism, I have been able to identify my fair share of aspects that I do not agree with. In regards to the cyclic world view, the aspect that life may exist after one’s current one may induce a lackadaisical approach to life. Knowing

that you cannot really do much to advance yourself spiritually or economically and get another shot at life in a similar form might lead to this unmotivated approach to life. This interpretation of the cyclical worldview, I find to be very unenticing and unrelated to my ideology of trying to embrace what I was given and to use that to improve myself every day. Although it’s safe to say that most people that practice Hinduism or have a cyclical world view do not think this way, some people surely do, and I believe this attitude does nothing but drag a person down. The same can be said about a linear world view. The knowledge or belief that life comes to an end has the same potential to lead people into thinking that their life does not matter in a sense. The fact that someone with a linear worldview might think that they are only one person of seven billion and the actions that they take have little to no effect on anyone but themselves. This worldview on both fronts could lead to an overall decline in morale and functionality of a person or group who shares this belief. I would much rather think that a collection of people who make the most of their life (whether that is one or many in human forms) and try to leave a positive impact would have a much greater impact on all people as a whole. Everybody knows that regardless what we do on a personal level, we cannot solve the world’s problems fully and induce a state of prosperity for all, however a collective effort of optimism could have a huge impact and these aspects of linear and cyclical views have the potential to alter this path to prosperity.
One belief found in Islam that I feel is central to living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment as a Muslim involves their ideology of the five pillars, more specifically, Kakzt. Kakzt is the third pillar which addresses almsgiving. This belief seems to be very powerful and can relate to many different people regardless of religious affiliation. Millions, if not billions, of people on this planet suffer from malnutrition, no or limited shelter, and little access to fresh water. Most people have been able to identify this as a major world issue but the success in addressing and solving it has been lackluster. It is true that if everyone who had excess food, money, or assets aided those who didn’t, then we could solve this world problem. This is unrealistic at least in this point in time. However, Islam has implemented this pillar into their belief system and believed in/practiced it for thousands of years. This is certainly an empowering feeling to help those in need, and a powerful movement that holds true ethical weight in my opinion. I believe this path is central to a sense of living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment as a Muslim.
Although Kakzt is a pillar and is practiced by Muslims as a ritual, I believe it is very important on all levels including religion. The feeling of helping someone achieve their dreams, or helping them get on their feet, presumably would be a good feeling and good thing to do morally. I feel that the real reason that this is one of their pillars is that it helps them have a sense of fulfilment and purpose. It is hard to argue that helping others as well as yourself is not a good feeling which can serve as a bridge to addressing the purpose aspect specifically. Many people agree that they have one or a few true purposes in life. It is a generally shared belief that helping others with their time, money, or effort is their way of identifying a meaning or purpose to life regardless of social or economic status. This idea, strictly and directly intertwines with the fulfilment aspect if knowing that you made a difference. The third pillar of Kakzt, I believe, is central to a sense of living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment as a Muslim.
Hinduism has a few aspects that I believe is central to a sense of living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment as a Hindu.

The one aspect or belief in Hinduism that I have identified that clearly shows this is the idea of moksha. Moksha is the ultimate goal of Buddhism or is ultimate reality in a form beyond human. This ideology obviously fits well into their belief system including a path though belief systems and mindsets in life. Rebirth, hopefully in a greater for allows Hindus to get closer to this ultimate reality in which is is is. Though confusing, this statement is a mindset that only true Hindus who are close to moksha understand fully and implement fully into their lives. The path that moksha represents really allows Hindus to, in my opinion, live a life of meaning, purpose, and

fulfilment.
This ideology found in Hinduism regarding moksha or ultimate reality allows Hindus to strive for and eventually reach a state of existence without existence in a sense. Although a difficult concept to grasp, possibly on purpose, moksha and the path to it spiritually allows people of all belief sets to strive toward a passage where physical things hold no weight figuratively and quite literally. The idea of moksha is impossible to fully understand and relate to until one reaches it, but the path to it is what I can discuss and comprehend how this belief leads to meaning, purpose, and fulfilment. Being more spiritually advanced is the ultimate life goal of a Hindu. Prayer to the 330 million gods of Hinduism and the three main ones, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, allow Hindus to climb the ladder of spirituality. Through prayer, practice, and integration of aspects in their lives, Hindus are on a path to moksha or the ultimate reality which seems to be the essential and central aspect to living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment.
Throughout the academic study of Hinduism and Islam I have been able to advance my preunderstanding of what it means to live a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment through the eyes of many different traditions. The study of traditions from the five pillars to the path to moksha, the study of 330 million gods, and reaching an ultimate goal have allowed me to gain a real preunderstanding of what it means for me to live this sort of life. I have been able to compile some aspects of each religion into my life through various means. Almsgiving or Kakzt has allowed me to understand the importance of giving to those in need to advance society as a whole, and selfishly, give myself a feeling of empowerment. Understanding the path to moksha and applying that in a different way has allowed me to better identify what it takes for one to advance toward living a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. For example, I have been able to identify and implement aspects of spiritual growth into my own traditions in order to feel more comfortable and meaningful along my own belief system. Although implemented in different ways, the academic study of these two religions has allowed me to integrate certain mindsets into my own life which has further developed my preunderstanding of what it means to live a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.