The method of burning the dead among Hindus is an age-old tradition…
Why Do Hindus Burn Their Dead?
The two sons of Adam fought with each other.
Abel and Cain.
Cain killed Abel.
When Cain killed Abel, the nation was divided;
some followed Abel while others followed Cain.
The Kaaba and the Holy Black Stone were in the possession of those who followed Abel,
so they boycotted Cain and his followers, they were exiled.
So, at that time, there was an image in the Holy Black Stone which was clearly visible.
Now, since they were boycotted, they were deprived of the Kaaba and the Holy Black Stone.
So, what they did was try to replicate the image in the Holy Black Stone by creating statues
in the hopes that one of the statues would resemble that face.
This is where idol-making originated.
Secondly, they believed that since Cain had murdered [his brother],
they would surely be punished for it.
So, the solution they derived was to burn the dead in the world so that their sins are forgiven right here.
This is where the custom of cremation began,
they thought they could be spared from the fire of hell if they burned their dead.
Now, only God knows whether this notion of burning the dead
came from divine inspiration or they came up with it themselves - only God knows better.
However, the point is that whether you burn it or bury it,
the body has become completely useless,
it’s the soul that needs to ascend, and it does.
Now, somehow, the Muslims have come to believe that only Muslims shall enter paradise.
This is wrong.
As Muslims, we believe that we must have faith in all the prophets,
from Adam to Abraham to Ishmael to Moses, to Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (s) - we believe in all of them.
We believe in the four celestial books,
the Psalms of David, the Torah, the Bible and the Qur’an.
Now, if we believe in the Bible and Jesus Christ,
do you think not a single follower of Jesus would enter paradise?
How is that possible?
Would not a single individual from the nation of Abraham enter paradise?
Is there not anyone from the nation of Moses who will enter paradise?
The clergymen have destroyed the mindset of Muslims.
Before the Muslims, the Jews had the same understanding.
They would also say, ‘Only we shall enter paradise, not you’.
They would say that to the Muslims.
After a few such incident, even the Prophet (s) turned to God and said,
‘O God, this is what the Jews say, that nobody but them shall enter paradise’.
God said, ‘Really?
Then tell the Jews to seek death if they are righteous’.
Since they are the only ones who shall enter paradise, they should die quickly so as to enter paradise.
Therefore, this is wrong. It was wrong when the Jews said it
and today, if Muslims declare that no one but them shall enter paradise, it is still wrong.
What does the Qur’an state?
The Holy Qur’an states that
if you have become a momin and divine energy has settled in your heart
then whether you are a Jew, a Christian or a Sabian (star-worshipper),
you must have three things in your possession:
1) faith in God, 2) faith in the Day of Judgement,
and 3) righteous deeds.
This is what the Qur’an states:
‘if you have these three things, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve’ -
then God shall count you amongst the saints.
This is Surah Al-Baqarah verse 62,
‘Those who believe, whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians, as long as they have faith in God, the Day of Judgement and have righteous deeds…’ -
so, three things - ‘falahum ajruhum - for them is the reward…’
'inda Rabbihim - from their Lord…’
‘wa laa khawfun 'alaihim wa laa hum yahzanoon - they shall have no fear nor sorrow’.
So, God has made a very clear statement here
that whether it is a Jew, a Christian or a Sabian,
as long as they possess faith in God, faith in the Day of Judgement and have righteous deeds -
as long as you have these three, your religion doesn’t make any difference.
In this case, if a Jew is a momin, he will surely enter paradise.
If a Sabian is a momin, he will enter paradise.
If a Christian is a momin, he will enter paradise.
You have no right to say that only Muslims will enter paradise.
Neither will all Muslims nor all Jews will enter paradise.
All those who are momin in their respective religions shall enter paradise.
If there are no momin among Hindus, only corrupt people, they will enter hellfire.
If there are no momin among Sikhs, they too will enter hellfire.
If there are no momin among Jews, they too will enter hellfire.
If there are no momin among Muslims, they too will enter hellfire.
Those who enter paradise shall be momin,
whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Jews or Christians.
A good person is a good person whether he’s a Hindu or a Muslim.
I met many Hindus who are better than Muslims,
I met many Muslims who are worse than Jews.
So, it depends on the individual.
Whoever God wishes to grant faith to is blessed,
regardless of who they are.