MUSLIMS ARE LESS SECULAR THAN HINDUS

This is an oft-repeated comment by our Hindu friends. While I am not going into the veracity of this comment at large at this point, I do dwell here on the ‘evidence’ they cite for this judgment.

“We, the Hindus, have no hesitation paying obeisance to Muslim places of worship. Indeed, many of us go and pray at the Dargahs. But we haven’t seen any worthwhile Muslims pay obeisance to the temples, much less praying there”
Absolutely correct observation. Unfortunately the judgment derived from this is half-baked.

Let’s see why:

Assume that two pious and faithful persons, one a Muslim and another a Hindu are travelling separately. On the way they drop in a village each where they are invited by a local resident each, of opposite faith, to dine at his house. Who do you think would agree more readily to dine: whether the Muslim at his Hindu host’s place? Or the Hindu at his Muslim host’s place?

Evidently the Muslim would agree more readily to eat at the Hindu house. Why? Because, his faith permits him to consume virtually everything a Hindu gentleman eats, including ghee, cheese, milk, butter etc. And by accepting this invitation he is not violating his faith.

On the other hand the Hindu traveller would hesitate do eat at the Muslim’s house because chances are the Muslim host may offer meat, if not beef, and eggs etc. His religion doesn’t permit him to eat everything his Muslim host can eat. By accepting this invitation, the Hindu may violate his faith.

Now just remember that just as Hinduism forbids meat eating [which its Hindu adherent in our example follows rigidly], Islam forbids idol-worship [which its Muslim adherent in our example follows equally rigidly]. Therefore, the Muslim will not worship at the temple but eat at his Hindu friend’s place while the Hindu may worship at Muslim places but won’t eat at his house. Notice that the behaviour of both is strictly according to THEIR religious doctrines.

Is it, therefore, fair to pick up one behavioral aspect and judge a whole community?

My Hindu and Muslim friends, please comment freely on THIS observation.

A Facebook Clarification:
“I’m afraid, Jatin Leuva I was misunderstood. I am saying, as between two believer and observant people one may yet find divergence of behaviour despite likeness of virtue. Both being equally secular may yet manifest their love and reconciliation in two DIFFERENT ways, and it is inappropriate to judge one by another’s yardstick.