Boarding had started but the plane was probably not yet ready, because we passengers were stuck in the narrow pathway and waiting to move on.
I made a comment to a young man next to me in Hindi, something like ‘lagta hai plane tayar nahin hai’.
“I don’t speak Hindi. I am from Tamil Nadu. We speak Tamil and English,” was his reply.
“Oh okay. Yes, I heard Tamilians don’t like Hindi. How did you manage in Delhi?”
“I have picked up some Hindi over time…”
Then I asked, “are you Hindu or Muslim?”
“Muslim.”
“Please don’t look down on Hindus,” I said.
“No. Never.”
“That’s good. I mentioned it because your Quran looks down on Hindus.”
“No, it doesn’t. There is nothing of this sort in the Quran.”
“I read big parts of it and there is plenty.”
“It is due to the translation. One must read the original…”
“Come on, languages can be translated. The translation cannot be so off the mark,” I tried to make light of it.
“Actually, I am an advaitin”, he surprised me now. “Have you heard of Sufism? I came to Delhi for a spiritual purpose – to visit the tomb of a Sufi Master.”
“Oh nice. I am also an Advaitin. Advaita comes from the Hindu tradition. I was so grateful that I have discovered this profound wisdom here in India. My first book I read was by Swami Vivekananda.”
“My forefathers were Hindus”, he said.
Now it was our turn to enter the plane and we separated…
8 Comments
Yes, there are a lot of such people in Kashmir too following Sufism. But when there is a dictate from the top, nobody dare defy that. They lose their tongue. They follow the instructions like sheep do. So, in the final analysis it doesn’t make a big difference in the ground situation. They would pretend to be victims all the time. So, the hardliners from the right side call their utterances- “Altaquia”
Unfortunately, a majority of Indian Muslims suffer from Stockholm syndrome. They were the people, who as Hindus of this country suffered the most from the barbaric invasions. They are made to think that they have come from outside of India!
In case they really believe in what they claim to be, they should stand up to fanatics, who want India to become a Darul Islam!
Good point raised by yourself. People know Hindi especially in towns.Only converted Christians try to divide Hindu society.Muslims can talk and understand as their love for Urdu. Famous actress Wahida Rahman admitted urdu as her mother tongue. On Coimbatore railway station Tamilians and Keralites converse in Hindi for buying something it eas my personal observation.It is good that person read Swami Vivekanand and concepts of Advaith.
Hello Maria
Most of them know their ancestral origins regarding the caste and sub caste
Interesting conversation. It is converted Christians are main person who are haters of Hindi.Educated usually do not hate Hindi. It is good that that Muslim person read book by Swami Vivekanand ji and believed Adaiveta concept. Interestingly, on railwy statitions Hindi is mode of talk between Tamils and Keralites. Muslims can talk in Hindi as Urdu is their first prefernce. Wahida Rahman acteress admitted in an interview Urdu as her mother tongue.
What is the point Maria ji?
the point is that we should not be afraid to mention religion. one’s relationship with the Supreme is personal, but not religion.
another point is that some are spiritually inclined, no matter which religion. actually, we should learn to remember at least 5 times a day our
Ishta Deva, or our Atma, as they do with Allah…
Sufiasm intrigues me – one in terms of its Islamic connection & also in terms of its suspected role in conversions
In principle , as a spiritual path , it should be parallel to Hindu Bhakti tradition – whether that is how it is in reality or a façade – I do not have much direct experience
But ironically spirituality either does not have a legitimate place or not nurtured/ admired under Islamic philosophy
Further I have heard stories of Sufi saints acting as a cover – to draw in innocent Hindus or have been deployed as informers of ‘ Hindu prey’ by barbaric fundamentalists to their end purposes
If true – case of famous sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is quite chilling .
Contemporary of Samrat Pruthviraj Chauhan & a major beneficiary of the kings charity ; he is supposed to have tipped off Mohd Ghori about Pruthviraj in the final battle, which not only led to Pruthviraj’s capture & ensuing torture but Chishti also apparently prompted capture of the queen Sanyogita to public gang rape & killing
By the way , on another note ; I think Mariaji’s note mentions about her first reading was of Swami Vivekanand’s book – many readers seem to have mistaken as being read by the young sufi muslim
yes, Sufism has a big downside because it demands to become/ be Muslim, which means to accept the Quran. in the 1970s, Sufism was fashionable at German universities. that’s when i heard, that one needed to become Muslims. one professor did…