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Q&A · Sects & Comparative Belief

How does Islam view Hinduism, Buddhism, and other non-Abrahamic religions?

Islam regards worship directed to idols, deities or any created being as shirk — associating partners with Allah — which the Qur'an calls the gravest wrong, so these traditions are not treated as revealed religions that remain valid. Unlike Jews and Christians, their adherents are not classed as Ahl al-Kitab in the Qur'anic text, so the concessions specific to People of the Book (their slaughtered meat, marriage to their women) do not extend to them; jurists did differ over whether the jizyah contract could be extended to non-Arab polytheists, and the Hanafi school permitted it, which is how Muslim rule in India was administered. At the same time, Muslims are commanded to treat them with justice and courtesy, and are explicitly forbidden from insulting what they worship, lest they insult Allah in return. Islam also acknowledges that Allah sent warners to every nation, so a Muslim may respect whatever truth or morality such traditions preserve while still inviting to tawhid.

Informational, not a personal fatwa. Consult a qualified scholar for rulings on your situation.

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