Khalid Umar, originally from Pakistan, is currently a practicing Barrister in the UK. He frequently shares his insights on Facebook with his nearly 20,000 followers. This article is based on a portion of the YouTube video of Umar’s wide-ranging interview with Citti.Net, titled “Hinduism is intellectually superior.” In this segment, he shares his perspectives on Hinduism.
“I find Hinduism to be intellectually and philosophically actually superior to the other faiths, especially Abrahamic faiths,” says Umar, explaining his reasons: “So, as a humanist, I love the approach of Sanatan dharma. Hindus don’t have to perform anything in particular to be a Hindu.” He finds Hinduism’s openness and non-dogmatic nature fascinating, noting that Hinduism does not prescribe a specific way of life or religious practice but allows individuals to choose how they incorporate it into their lives. There’s no formal orthodoxy, and both those who dedicate significant time to religious practice and those who do so sporadically are considered valid adherents. “I find the ideas of God more robust in Hinduism, as fragility has no space in here,” he says, as it doesn’t rely on strict dogma or a single, inflexible interpretation but encourages diverse viewpoints, fostering open and unrestricted discussions about its beliefs.
I find Hinduism to be intellectually and philosophically actually superior to the other faiths, especially Abrahamic faiths
He is also appreciative of Hinduism’s portrayal of good versus evil in its epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. They emphasize conflicts that are not centered on Hinduism versus other faiths but on moral battles within the tradition. This emphasis on the struggle between good and evil promotes an evolving and adaptable belief system.
One of the most remarkable facets of Hinduism, according to Umar, is its rejection of blind faith, coercion, or the use of force to propagate its beliefs. Hinduism respects individual freedom and creativity, offering a unique liberty to choose one’s own deity, whether a traditional God, a concept, or even material wealth. This inclusivity and freedom of choice is deeply fascinating and differentiates Hinduism from many other religious traditions.” For someone familiar with the monotheistic faiths, understanding Hindu faith requires a total paradigm shift,” he says.
Umar closes this segment with this pointed statement: “(In Hinduism) there is no such Creator of the universe, who loves me, but He will burn me in eternal hellfire for not being obedient to His eternal message given in the holy books, through a last and final messenger who lived 1000 years or more than 1000 years ago. Hinduism tells me God is inside you. Isn’t that enough for me to be a Hindu?”
“Hinduism tells me God is inside you. Isn’t that enough for me to be a Hindu?”
Khalid Umar – Brief Biography
Growing up In the late 1970s in the Punjab province of Pakistan, Khalid Umar recalls that his school education emphasized the supremacy of the Islamic faith over all else, often portraying Hindus as wicked, constant enemies of Islam and their religion as promoting bad values. Muslims were described as historically tolerant, having ruled the Indian subcontinent for a millennium without forcibly converting Hindus.
After General Zia-ul-Haq’s rise to power in the late 1970s, the educational system became increasingly Islamist. According to Umar, even today, many Pakistanis perceive Hindus as being connected to those who lived in Mecca during the time of Prophet Muhammad, adding religious weight to the animosity against them. This narrative contributes to a sense of holy war, pitting the “kafirs” (non-believers) against Islam.
Umar had the good fortune of being born to educated parents who held a more inclusive view and shielded them from religious indoctrination. This helped him to become a free thinker, unburdened by the prevalent biases and animosities in many Muslim households.
iDr. Jai G. Bansal
(The article was published on Hindudvesha.org on October 11, 2023 and has been reproduced here)
