Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani has strongly criticised remarks attributed to RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who reportedly suggested that Muslims should worship the sun, rivers and trees in the name of protecting the environment.
In a statement, Madani said Hindus and Muslims have lived together in India for centuries, and the basic beliefs of Islam are well known to any educated person. He said Islam is based on Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of God, and worship is directed only to Him. “This belief is the foundation of Islam and is neither hidden nor unknown,” he said.
Expressing deep regret over the reported statement, Madani said it was disappointing that people holding important positions showed little seriousness in understanding Islam and the religious beliefs of Muslims. He said such comments reflect a lack of awareness about the core principles of the faith.
Madani explained that belief in Tawhid and Prophethood forms the very base of Islam, and any deviation from these principles removes a person from the fold of the religion. “Even a small departure from these beliefs is not acceptable in Islam,” he said.
He also clarified that caring for nature should not be confused with worship. Madani said loving the land, rivers, trees and the environment and working to protect them is completely different from worshipping them. “Islam teaches respect for nature, but worship is only for God,” he said.
Hosabale had reportedly suggested that Muslims who offer namaz should also worship rivers from an environmental point of view. Madani said such statements misrepresent Islamic teachings and warned that careless remarks on religious beliefs can harm mutual understanding and harmony in society.
