Let's Blame Others!
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
29 April 2025
"Let us blame others!"
You said it, Dr Ghulam! This passing the buck approach has always obfuscated the truth. Saying that the greatest source of corruption in Islamic theology has been the infiltration of Judeo-Christian traditions is tantamount to saying that the long presence of Islam and Christianity on the subcontinent brought all the ills to Hinduism. Hinduism was already corrupt much before Islam and Christianity made their presence felt.
Hindus claim that the purdah system was alien to pristine Hinduism. It came into existence as a safety measure because the marauding Muslim invaders, perpetually suffering from a hard-on, would abduct Hindu women, rape and Islamise them. Hindu girls and women resorted to purdah so that the Muslim invaders couldn't see their beautiful faces! What nonsense! It's very easy and convenient to blame others for your mistakes and minuses.
After the Battle of Kurukshetra, when Pandavas went to meet Vidur and seek his blessings, Nakul said, "Adharma Vinyaste Unmool Prashyante Iti Kauravasya Praarabdham" (Adharm was eliminated because it was the fate of Kauravas). The erudite and evolved Vidur replied, "Doshasya Pratiropan Saraltam Sadhanaste" (Shifting the blame is the easiest thing to do). Subtly did Vidur suggest that while Kauravas were mainly responsible for this enormous destruction, Pandavas were no snow white lilies either.
Humans have this tendency to avoid addressing and accepting their faults and flaws. Instead, they pass the buck. An Urdu adage succinctly illustrates this proclivity that ails all the apologists, not just of Islam: Tabiile Ki Bala Bandar Ke Sar (Har Bala Aur Tohmat Kamzoron Ke Sar Thap Jaati Hai: Poor and helpless are always at the receiving end).
Muslim apologists particularly suffer from this malady. Instead of addressing the ingrained anomalies and aberrations in their 'holy' books, Judeo-Christian traditions are blamed because Muslims, however educated they may be, suffer from a serious theological misconception, or shall I call it a delusion, that since their faith (Islam) came after Judaism and Christianity, Allah honed it to perfection! Allah doesn't make things in one go. He loves gradations and gradual developments! To these people, Islam is infallible. Its books are irreproachable and it's Allah's favourite faith. If any error(s) crept into the fold of Islam, Judaism and Christianity should be held responsible for that. What a brilliant excuse! This is self-deception and who has deceived thee as often as thyself ?
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/blame-others/d/135352
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